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Clever Uses for an Old Toothbrush Around the Home

new uses for old toothbrushes, illustration of red toothbrush and blue toothbrush on a tile background

How to Reuse an Old Toothbrush: Cleaning Hacks You’ll Love

Written By: Heidi Stonehill Executive Editor

Don’t toss that old toothbrush just yet! Before it hits the trash, this tiny tool can tackle a surprising range of household tasks. From scrubbing tight corners and vents to cleaning jewelry, keyboards, and even helping in the kitchen, an old toothbrush is one of the most versatile cleaning hacks you’ll ever own. Safe, simple, and often free, these clever uses will help you get more mileage out of a toothbrush you’d normally throw away.

Household Cleaning Hacks

  • Drains and Faucets: Use with an abrasive cleaner to scrub around sinks, drains, faucets, and bathroom tiles.
  • Grates, Vents, and Grills: Scrub hard-to-reach cracks and crevices. Removable vents can be soaked in an alkaline cleaner before brushing.
  • Carpets and Upholstery: Remove small stains by gently scrubbing with a toothbrush.
  • Shoes: Clean mud and debris from soles.
  • Floorboards: Wedge a moist toothbrush into cracks to clean and remove dust.

Jewelry and Small Items

  • Jewelry Cleaning: Soak gold or silver in dish soap and ammonia, then scrub with a toothbrush to restore shine.
  • Silverware: Remove stuck-on food between intricate designs.
  • Chainsaw Teeth & Tools: Clean hard-to-reach areas of machinery.

Kitchen & Food Uses

  • Brushing Corn: Remove bits of silk after husking.
  • Cleaning Fish: Scrub scales or clean small crevices.

DIY and Repairs

  • Bike Parts: De-grease chains and small components.
  • Glue & Pipe Sealant: Apply adhesives or sealants in grooves and joints.

Personal Grooming

  • Eyebrows & Lashes: Brush and shape with precision.
  • Hair Styling: Tease or curl small sections, including mustaches, sideburns, and beards.

Appliance & Household Maintenance

  • Washing Machine Filters: Remove lint, then soak in vinegar overnight.
  • Locks and Hard-to-Reach Places: Lubricate or clean using soap or a bit of oil on a toothbrush.

Pro Tips

  • Sanitize First: Boil the toothbrush for 3–4 minutes if using it for kitchen or personal grooming tasks.
  • Keep It Handy: Store a “cleaning toothbrush” in your toolbox, kitchen drawer, or utility room for small jobs.

Have a favorite toothbrush hack? Let us know and help others get creative!

Read Next
Cleaning
About The Author
Heidi Stonehill

Heidi Stonehill

Executive Editor

Heidi Stonehill is the Executive Editor for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, joining the team in 2001. As such, she manages the content development of the Almanac’s line of wall, engagement, box, and special...
Read More from Heidi Stonehill

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Comments

<span>Ellen Todd</span> Thu, 10/16/2025 - 07:31
Boiling seems like an extreme way to clean a used toothbrush. I just run them through the dishwasher. If it's good enough for table utensils and other kitchen items, that seems good enough to me.
<span>Jop</span> Thu, 10/16/2025 - 06:41
Use an old toothbrush to scrub the dirt from under your fingernails after gardening or outdoor work.
<span>Dinah</span> Fri, 05/19/2017 - 14:33
I feed the hummingbirds and use a sterilized old brush to clean the hummingbirds feeder regularly!
<span>Cynthia Bender-Loyd</span> Mon, 04/13/2015 - 17:27
You can also use the tooth bush as a tool to clean and fix the hair on your doll collection. Either wet or put a piece of nylon stocking over the tooth brush,also push the tooth bush through the nylon, then sprinkle a small amount of baby power on the hair then brush out. Also is a good tool to use to clean the doll clothes to keep away dust.
<span>Rodel</span> Tue, 05/20/2014 - 19:55
What an amazing information. Learn a lot from it. Keep posting. Thanks a lot, Rodel
<span>Phiferindia</span> Thu, 06/06/2013 - 08:06
Great info, Hope you clear doubts about using old toothbrushes. I don't know the reason,why using brush instead scrubber results my core glass items with some scratches. And another doubt is, using toothbrush for water bottle cleaning purposes cause any danger to health i mean by brushing with that inside the bottle..?? Thank you in advance
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 06/07/2013 - 12:12
If there is concern, we suggest following the advice above to boil the toothbrush for 3 to 4 minutes.
<span>Anonymousdavid</span> Tue, 12/18/2012 - 06:59
useing a tooth brush to clean your filter on washing machine ? Did you mean dryer vent screen?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 12/20/2012 - 12:01
Older washing machines may have a wire mesh filter that captures debris from the wash (such as dirt and lint). Sometimes this is located in the agitator, or along the rim of the tub. Over time, the filter can become clogged and should be cleaned periodically. Newer machines may not have this type of filter. Check your manual for proper care.
<span>Laureanna</span> Sat, 09/15/2012 - 14:06
1. I wear glasses and after wearing them awhile, there's scum that accumulates between the nosepads and the tiny metal arms that keep them in place. I brush that scum away with a toothbrush. 2- I have a Champion Juicer and there is always fiber stuck in the filter after I've made some juice. I clean the filter and remove the fibers with a toothbrush. 3- Likewise, I use a tooth brush to remove a patch of sticky food stuck in a sieves' holes.