Most people toss old toothbrushes into the trash without a second thought. But these small, simple tools still have plenty of life left in them. With just a rubber band or a bit of heat, two old toothbrushes can become clever household helpers that save time, effort, and money. Here are some surprisingly effective ways to reuse them.
1. Deep-Cleaning Faucets and Tight Crevices
Faucets often trap grime in tiny gaps that normal cleaning tools can’t reach.
To make this easier:
Take two old toothbrushes
Tie them together securely with a rubber band
Dip the bristles in soapy water
Slide the toothbrush pair around the faucet edges
Because the bristles face inward, they scrub both sides of the crevice at once — removing dirt in seconds.
2. A Handy Tool for Cracking Hard-Shelled Nuts
Opening nuts like pistachios or peanuts can hurt your fingers, especially when the shell barely opens. Here’s a simple hack:
Trim the toothbrush bristles short
Tie two toothbrushes facing each other
Place a small folded piece of paper or cloth between them
You’ve just made a mini clamp that helps crack open tough shells without hurting your hands.
3. Cleaning a Bicycle Chain Without the Mess
Bike chains collect sticky layers of oil, dust, and sand. This buildup wears out the chain faster. To clean it:
Tie two toothbrushes together with tape so their bristles face inward
Position the chain between the brushes
Rotate the pedals
The brushes will scrub all sides of the chain simultaneously — a quick, easy method used even by many cyclists.
4. Dusting a Keyboard
Keyboards trap dust, crumbs, and debris between the keys.
Just take an old toothbrush and gently sweep between the keys — the bristles reach into tight spaces where cloths or fingers can’t.
5. Cleaning a Hairbrush
Hairbrushes collect sweat, oil, dandruff, and dirt over time.
To deep-clean them:
Dip an old toothbrush into soapy water
Scrub between the bristles or teeth of the comb
The small brush removes buildup quickly, restoring the hairbrush to a cleaner, more hygienic state.
6. Scrubbing Tight Corners in the Toilet
Toilets have curved edges and hidden corners that large brushes can’t reach. Transform your toothbrush into a corner-cleaning tool:
Heat the handle of the toothbrush over a flame
Bend it into an “L” shape
Apply toilet cleaner and scrub the hard-to-reach areas
This makes deep cleaning faster and far more effective.
7. Cleaning the Bottom of Cups and Bottles
Tall bottles and narrow cups often trap stains at the bottom.
To reach them easily:
Heat the back of the toothbrush head
Bend the brush to create a 90-degree angle
Now the bristles reach the inside bottom of bottles, letting you scrub spots that sponges can’t touch.
Final Thought
Old toothbrushes may seem useless, but with a little creativity, they can become practical tools for solving many everyday cleaning problems. Before throwing them away, try one of these hacks — you might be surprised by just how helpful a simple toothbrush can be.