Eight uses for an old toothbrush

How often do you change your toothbrush? For a lot of people, the answer is ‘not often enough’. Toothbrushes have quite a short lifespan of just three to four months, after which they become too worn out and frayed to clean teeth properly. That’s why dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three to four months.

Also, the next time you’re in the bathroom, take a closer look at your toothbrush. Do the bristles already look frayed? If yes, replace it. Some toothbrushes become worn-out before three months, in which case you should buy a new one.

But before you throw that old toothbrush away, did you know you can reuse it for other things? Such as…

  1. Cleaning electronics. Take a close look at your laptop keyboard. How much food, hair, fluff and dead skin can you see? If you’re anything like us then the answer is: ‘a lot’. People often use computers for hours a day, so it’s no surprise how much grease and dirt collect in the keyboard. Luckily, a toothbrush can be a handy way to clean keyboards because their bristles can reach under the keys.
  2. Cleaning a bicycle chain. Apparently a toothbrush is the perfect tool for cleaning bicycle chains. Who knew? The bristles are small enough to squeeze between each link and give the chain a proper clean.
  3. Removing stubborn dirt from your nails. Dirt and debris under your fingernails is definitely annoying, but did you know that a toothbrush can remove it in seconds? Go ahead and try it! Apparently, some people even carry a toothbrush in their handbag just for this purpose. We’re not sure who these people are though.
  4. Treating your dog to a manicure. Well, okay, maybe giving a manicure to a dog is a bit much (unless you’re Paris Hilton). But a toothbrush is definitely a good way to clean a dog’s nails at least.
  5. Polishing your jewellery. Are you a bling addict? Do you wear more metal than Mr. T? If yes, then this tip is for you: use an old toothbrush to polish your jewellery. It’s a surprisingly good way to make your jewellery shine and sparkle.
  6. Exfoliating your lips. Who doesn’t have dry lips in the winter? Thankfully a toothbrush can exfoliate your them by removing the dead skin. Don’t believe us? Try it yourself!
  7. Cleaning the toilet. Toothbrushes are great for cleaning your teeth, but they’re also pretty good at cleaning the toilet too, not to mention all the nooks and crannies in the bathroom. But a word of warning: don’t mix up your old toothbrush with your new one.
  8. Treating scabies. Finally, according to the NHS, an old toothbrush is perfect for applying scabies cream to your fingernails and toenails. But again, please do not mix up your old toothbrush with your new one. That would not be pleasant.
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