Every year at least 1 billion used toothbrushes end up in landfills, adding to the more than 50 million tons of trash already piled there. Instead of ditching after their day is done, we can use toothbrushes over and over again in a variety of ways. Let’s begin today’s two-parter column with lots of imaginative ways to utilize this homely staple, thanks to Smartlifetricks.com, among others, as well as my own tried-and-true techniques. (It is, of course, a good idea to sanitize your toothbrush before using for non-dental uses, especially if it involves cleaning your kitchen tools. Soak it in a bleach solution or hydrogen peroxide for several minutes before rinsing the bristles with hot water.)
An old toothbrush can still be very useful, especially when it comes to cleaning hairbrushes and scrubbing off gunk and grime. In fact, the advantage of using the toothbrush is its amazing ability to get into those nooks and crannies easily.
If you live in a place where the water is hard and don’t have a filtering system installed, then you might have noticed the build-up of mineral deposits on your shower head so it’s important to clean it every now and then. Otherwise, the build-up can end up blocking the water flow. Fill a container with white vinegar. Next, drop the shower head into the container and leave for a couple of hours. Voila’!
I save all my old toothbrushes and utilize some to clean my jewelry. Several methods work amazingly, including adding some drops of gentle soap to a cup of lukewarm water, window cleaning solution, a dab of toothpaste, or vinegar, among others. Dip the toothbrush in whichever solution you choose and then start gently scrubbing. Rinse and towel dry for a beautiful gleam.
(Read more: Consumer Watch: Even more ways to reuse old toothbrushes)