Toothbrushes have More Uses Than Just for Brushing – Part 1

Most of us clean using sponges, cloths, dusters, vacuums, etc. but sometimes your most effective tool is sitting right in your bathroom. In my Household Hustler Highlight, here are some things you should consider cleaning with a toothbrush.

For starters, try using a toothbrush to clean your stovetop. The coarse bristles and size of a toothbrush make them perfect for cleaning stubborn, hard-to-reach places such as stovetops.

Apply some dishwashing liquid to a toothbrush and use small circular motions to buff away the dirt. Make sure to rinse and wipe clean with a cloth.

To keep the grout in between tiles looking fresh, use a toothbrush to scrub a solution of bleach and water along the grout to remove any stains. Remember to rinse when finished.

Mildew and bacteria can grow on faucets so use a toothbrush, with a mixture of soap and water, to thoroughly clean.

A toothbrush can also be used to tackle small but stubborn stains on carpets and upholstery. Apply some stain remover to the spot and use a toothbrush to apply pressure to the stain. Scrub in circular motions to loosen the stain and repeat until it is gone.

If the kids have been using the walls as a canvas again, a quick tip to remove crayon marks is to load a toothbrush with some shaving foam or toothpaste, apply to the crayon marks, and buff them away. Then, simply wipe the surface with a paper towel.

Lint and dust get stuck in anything that moves air which includes hairdryers, car vents, and even the bathroom vent. Make sure the vent is off or disconnected then remove the cover. Take outside to gently brush off or if it’s caked on you can clean it in your sink with a damp toothbrush. For a hairdryer, make sure it’s unplugged from the outlet and gently use a dry toothbrush to remove dust. Same for your car vents.

Computer keyboards are typically dusty and may even have crumbs or other debris lurking around the keys. A clean, soft, dry toothbrush is perfect to clean these areas. Unplug the keyboard or laptop and then turn it onto its side and gently brush around the keys. Remember, do not use any type of water or liquid on a computer keyboard.

Using a toothbrush to get into your fridge’s plastic shelves with grooves is the best way to clean those hard-to-reach areas. The same goes for the rubber seal between the door and the main part of the fridge where dust, grime and crumbs can gather.

Try using a toothbrush to clean under-mounted sinks where the counter goes over the edge of the sink. A lot of gunk and mildew can build up in that area. The same goes for the sink overflow drain, usually a series of small holes opposite the spigot. A toothbrush with the cleaner is the perfect tool to clean that area.

Have you looked at your toaster oven lately? It’s probably full of crumbs and burnt-on junk. Use a toothbrush for cleaning these areas. First, unplug the oven and use a dry toothbrush to get the crumbs out and then clean the grill in the sink with soap and water. Rinse and thoroughly dry.