Toilet brushes are disgusting. They just are. They’re solely designed to remove the unmentionable stains from our toilet bowls, so it’s safe to say they don’t exactly spark joy. Often seriously under-cleaned and under-replaced, these are one of the truly grimiest items in our home. But sparing a moment to think about what we would be forced to do without them, sends a shudder down my spine.
So the only appropriate thing to do is to make sure we use them correctly, or – more importantly – clean them correctly. To ensure they can succeed at their all too important job, without harbouring a breeding ground for (literal) stomach churning bacteria right in the heart of our homes. And that goes doubly for the toilet brush holder, too, often even more forgotten and even more riddled with grime than the brush.
To ensure our bathrooms stay as clean and fresh as possible, here are the mistakes you’ve been making with your toilet brush – and what to do instead.
5 mistakes you’re making
Dunking it in the dirty water
A common misconception when it comes to cleaning the toilet brush is that a couple of swirls around the toilet bowl water is enough to clean the brush. While this may remove some more topical grime (gross) it only takes a moment of thought to realise that this doesn’t actually clean the brush.
All this does is rinse the brush in contaminated water, spreading bacteria rather than removing it. Toilet water, might I remind you, contains germs, limescale and waste particles, so swirling the brush around in it can actually leave it dirtier than before. Over time, this can lead to unpleasant smells, bacterial buildup and cross-contamination when the brush is reused.
Not cleaning the holder
Even if you’re one of the clever clogs who does actually properly disinfect your loo brush regularly, that’s not the job done. Making sure the holder itself is cleaned just as regularly is key to banishing this bathroom grime. And there are definitely right and wrong ways to do this.
Putting the brush away in the holder too quickly or without letting it dry properly is a sure-fire way to ensure the holder slowly collects a pool of stagnant, bacteria-filled water – yuck! Putting it back too quickly or not allowing the holder to ventilate can also trap moisture and encourage mould and foul smells. The main mistake of course being forgetting to clean it at all, and I mean more than just rinsing it in the tap.
What you put in the holder
Something I have come across a lot, and dare I say used to do myself, is filling the holder itself with water or cleaning solution. Many people might think filling the holder with diluted loo cleaner or bleach of some kind might be a super effective way to keep your brush clean. Short answer? It’s not.
Leaving water in the holder creates a stagnant pool where bacteria can thrive, while diluted cleaning products quickly lose their effectiveness and just become dirty liquid sitting at the bottom.
Not regularly replacing it
While regular (proper) cleaning is essential, it’s still not actually enough. Cleaning and disinfecting both the brush and holder can elongate the pairs lifespan but doesn’t remove the need for replacement all together. You should replace your toilet brush and holder every 6 months to a year, depending on how often they’re used and how well they’re maintained. Over time, the buildup of bacteria and limescale will contaminate plastic bristles, which can also end up worn out and splayed after regular usage.
The type of toilet brush you use
This may be slightly less of a mistake, and more of a strong suggestion, but often the type of toilet brush you use can have a massive impact on how clean both it and your toilet are.
The cleanest type of toilet brush to use is arguably one with a silicone brush head, and it’s fairly clear to see why. Silicone brushes are non-porous, which means they don’t absorb water, bacteria or grime in the same way traditional bristle brushes do. Instead of trapping dirt between dense bristles, they have smooth, flexible ‘teeth’ that are easier to rinse clean and dry much faster, making it harder for germs and mould to build up. We recently tested this MooStar Silicone Toilet Brush, so clever it even distributes its own toilet cleaner – talk about two birds one stone.
How to clean your toilet brush
So now that I’ve told you what to stop doing, now I can tell you what you should be doing. For starters, your toilet brush should be cleaned after every use and at the very least once a week. You can use the holder to clean the brush, simply fill it with hot soapy water and plunge and swish the brush around, before emptying the water down the loo. Give the brush a proper rinse by flushing clean water over it and repeating the process again – but this time, using cold water and a few drops of bleach. Leave the brush to soak for 10 minutes before pouring the solution down the loo and rinsing the brush in the flush again. Allow the brush to dry before returning to the holder.
If you’re looking for a quicker, slightly more hands-off cleaning method that doesn’t involve the brush holder, scrub your toilet with disinfectant toilet cleaner using the brush, really getting in all the nooks and crannies. Then let the brush soak in the now sanitised bowl for 10 minutes before flushing, rinse in the clean flush and allow it to air-dry fully before putting it back.
How to clean your toilet brush holder
Depending on whichever of the above methods you use to clean the toilet brush, you still need to make sure you give the same level of care and cleanliness to the brush holder.
Once a week, start by emptying any dirty water that may have dripped from the brush into the toilet. Use hot water to rinse out any residue buildup and follow by adding a disinfectant toilet cleaner (tip: not all loo cleaners actually disinfect, so be sure to read the label closely). Make sure this coats the sides and base, and leave it to soak for 10-15 minutes, allowing it enough time to break down any bacteria or limescale.
Once done soaking, rinse again using hot water. Finally, make sure you let the holder dry completely before using again. It’s the trapped moisture that can create stale, foul smells and lead to bacteria buildup in the first place.
Our favourite toilet brushes
