It's a good idea to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months.If you follow the guidelines, you might find yourself with a lot of old toothbrushes.There are a number of things you can do to reuse and upcycle your old toothbrush, including making something entirely new out of your toothbrush handles and bristles.You will also be helping the environment by getting more bang for your buck.
Step 1: Check for cracks.
If your toothbrush is starting to lose its shape at the edges, it's time for a new one.The outer edges of the bristles have been floppy.The toothbrush probably still has some life left in it if it has only a slight outward curve.
Step 2: Take a look at your brush's fade line.
A small blue line on some toothbrushes will gradually fade and disappear as the toothbrush's lifespan gets longer.Pay attention to the fading line on your toothbrush and set it aside for other uses once this line is gone.
Step 3: It's a good idea to sanitize before you reuse.
Reusing old toothbrushes is a great way to keep your mouth clean.If you want to reuse a toothbrush, make sure to submerge it in boiling water for at least 3 minutes.You don't want to end up with a mess of melted plastic if you stick around while your toothbrush is boiling.You can run your toothbrush through a dishwashing cycle if you're not comfortable boiling it.
Step 4: It should be dry thoroughly.
Make sure your old toothbrush is dry before giving it a new purpose, as mold andbacteria can grow if they are wet.It's simple to dry a toothbrush.All you have to do is store it upright and allow the water to drain from the bristles.If you don't use the toothbrush on your teeth, you can expedite the process by drying the bristles with a towel or cloth.
Step 5: You need to label your toothbrush.
You should label your toothbrush to make sure you don't mix it up with the one you use for oral health.You can make a mark with a permanent marker on the back of it, or place it inside of your cleaning supply bucket, just make sure it is clear that the brush should not be used in your mouth.
Step 6: It's a good idea to clean the sinks.
Toothbrushes are great for cleaning small, hard-to-reach areas such as the kitchen sink and bathroom sink seals.If you press down too hard, toothbrush bristles can be very coarse, so you risk removing the sealant and grout.Firm but gentle pressure is what you want.
Step 7: It's a good idea to clean the laundry.
Toothbrushes can be used to clean stains and spots with spray cleaner or detergent.Simply spray or pour your cleaner onto the spot and scrub in circular motions with your toothbrush.It's important to make sure your toothbrush is clean before you reuse it, as depositing debris onto a stain will make the stain worse.Make sure there is no dirt or debris left.Soft-bristled brushes can be damaged by hard bristles, so this upcycle is better for them.
Step 8: Take care of electrical components.
The keyboard and computer screen need regular cleaning.When your computer is turned off, run a dry toothbrush over the corners of your screen and gently remove the dirt and debris.If you are not careful, toothbrush bristles can scratch your screen if you press too hard.
Step 9: Fruits and vegetables are scrubbed.
You can use your old toothbrush instead of buying a vegetable brush.It's small and broad enough to get into the crevices of apples and large vegetables.It's best to use this for fruits and vegetables with tough skin.Fruits and vegetables can tear or bruise.
Step 10: Old cheese can be removed from the cheese grater.
Toothbrushes are the perfect size and shape to get into the nooks and crevices of your cheese grater.Pull the toothbrush out of the sink when you need a helping hand.
Step 11: There are clean beauty products.
If you use a toothbrush, you can remove debris from the vent of your hair dryer, and keep your brow brush in good shape.If you are using your toothbrush for beauty products, be sure to clean the brush in between uses, as you don't want to transferbacteria or debris to your eyes or skin.
Step 12: You should scrub the baseboards.
A rag can leave a lot of dirt on the baseboard.Use a toothbrush to make broad, smooth strokes across the top of your baseboard for a clean, dust-free wall.
Step 13: You should detail your car.
Cars are in need of some help.If you want to keep your head and tail lights sparkling clean, you can use a toothbrush and some soapy water.Toothpaste and a toothbrush can be used to clean your headlights.When cleaning your dash, use a dry toothbrush instead of a wet one as there are delicate electrical components that should not get wet within the dash.
Step 14: There is Polish metal.
Metal items with hard-to-reach crevices have a way of trapping dirt.You can polish your metals with a toothbrush.Baking soda, water, and a toothbrush can be used to remove old dirt and oil stains.Toothbrushes are great at cleaning bike chains.
Step 15: Garden markers can be made.
Are you going to plant a garden?Remove the bristled end of the toothbrush, write or paint the names of plants you are sowing, and place your markers in the soil.You can reuse an old toothbrush and identify each of your plants.If you don't like plastic in your soil, you can either use bamboo or wooden toothbrushes or attach them to the outside of your garden bed.
Step 16: Paint cans are a good place to stir paint.
The use of a full-sized stirring stick is better for gallon and larger paint cans.Toothbrushes make excellent paint stirring tools.You should either remove the bristle first or hold it in your palm as you stir.The wasted paint would become trapped in the bristles as a result of placing the bristle into the paint.
Step 17: You have to scratch your back.
An old toothbrush can double as a backscratcher, as the bristles are firm enough to provide consistent, steady contact to ease the irritation of an itch.If your brush is going to be used in this way, make sure it is cleaned or sanitized regularly, as contact with skin could result in bacterial growth on the bristles.
Step 18: Paint strokes.
If you are an artist or you love to paint, you can use a toothbrush to introduce a new and unique texture into your work using your toothbrush as a paintbrush.This can be done with watercolors.
Step 19: There is a large needle.
If your toothbrush has a hole in one end, you can remove the bristles and use the remaining portion as a needle to thread runaway laces back through waistbands.You can create a large-scale needle by sharpening the end furthest from the hole.
Step 20: Abristle bot can be created.
Attach your toothbrush's head to the vibrating pager motor and watch as it crawls around.You could conduct races with your friends or family.