What to do with your toothbrush after you retire it: Creative ways to use a toothbrush
Have you ever wondered if a toothbrush could be used for a purpose other than wiping the grime off your teeth? We use them for a little while and then just toss them in the trash. You might think it is a bit wasteful. Well guess what? We think so too! Here is a list of ways to use your retired toothbrush and get more bang for your buck!
- The Scrubber!
A classic….Think of all those stories of moms punishing their kids by scrubbing the toilet or bathtub with a toothbrush. It may not be fun, but man does it leave your surfaces clean! Use your toothbrush to clean the grout in your tile, get up under the rim of the toilet, or remove mildew around the drain of the tub. It is the small brushes and durability that makes this a great asset for cleaning supplies.
- Garlic Grater?
When you grate garlic, it can be a huge pain to clean afterwards. Try dipping the old toothbrush into some baking soda and then scrub the garlic off in a circular motion. The gumminess of the garlic will break down and your grater will be ready to soap up! This can also be used for zesters, strainers, and sifters.
- Splinter Extractor
This one is pretty cool. Run your old toothbrush under warm water and put a drop of dish soap on the bristles. Gently rub in a circular motion over the pesky splinter and it will gradually bring it to the surface. This one isn’t for used brushes. Be sure to use a clean toothbrush to avoid infections.
- Dirty Shoes
Did you step in mud, or maybe a pile of your dog’s waste in the backyard? Don’t waste your time waiting for the mud to dry in the sun or running the hot bath water over them. Instead use your old toothbrush to clean all the nooks and crannies in the tread of your shoes. The bottoms of your shoes will be squeaky clean by the time you’re done!
- Dirty Fingernails…
If you find yourself with dirty fingernails and no normal nail scrubber in sight, try a toothbrush. These work just as well if not better at removing dirt and grime under your nails, leaving you clean and free of disgusting germs!
- Bike Chains
Do you love riding your bike? Maybe you don’t get to do it too often, but decide to pull it out of the cobwebs. Bike chains tend to collect grease, dust, and other gunk in all the little links that it is made out of. Spray that chain with a little WD-40 or brake cleaner and scrub away with your toothbrush. Just like that brush gets into all the corners of your mouth, it’ll do the same for your bike chain. You’ll be back on the open road in no time!
- Bling
And finally… with a slightly damp soft toothbrush, you can polish and clean your beautiful jewelry with ease. Just remember, use gently so you don’t damage your pretties!