We all know that we should replace our toothbrushes frequently, but not many people know exactly how often they should be changing it. If the bristles start to look a little worn down, or if your toothbrush has colour changing bristles that have faded with use, then it might be time to ditch the old brush and treat yourself to a new one!
But what does this mean for all those discarded toothbrushes kicking around the country? It turns out, everyone has their own weird and wonderful use for old toothbrushes. So, we got creative and asked around the office for some ideas on how to give your old toothbrush a new lease of life and stop it from going straight to a landfill.
Toothbrushes are the perfect cleaning tool for getting into all those difficult spots around your home. From scrubbing those hard-to-reach bits under the taps to giving the kitchen grout a spring clean; there’s simply no shortage of situations where a toothbrush is the best possible tool for the job. Cyclists will also be excited to learn that a toothbrush is the absolute perfect cleaning multi-tool for getting your bike looking shiny and new, particularly that messy chain!
From cleaning the fish tank to grooming your pet’s paws, the humble toothbrush may just be the tool you’ve been looking for. It’s perfect for cleaning your fish tank ornaments without needing to resort to any harsh chemicals, and your dog will love the pampering pedicure he can enjoy from an old toothbrush. You can also use soft tooth brushes to clean your pet’s teeth, just make sure you use a specialist pet toothpaste, as fido won’t be too fond of the minty flavour!
From exfoliating your lips to keeping flyaway hairs in place, there’s no shortage of beauty uses from your old toothbrush. Once you’re done with your old toothbrush, you can use it to exfoliate your lips with a sugar or salt scrub. And if you’re struggling with flyaway hairs, simply mist your hair with hairspray and then use the toothbrush to tease the offending hairs down flat.
Have you looked at your keyboard recently? If it’s harbouring more crumbs that the bottom of a cereal packet, it might be time to give it a quick clean. Your keyboard can harbour as much bacteria as a toilet seat (yuck!), so it makes sense to give it a clean every now and then. Your toothbrush can be used to get the crumbs out of your keyboard, rid USB ports of dust and even unstick that one button on the remote control that never seems to work.
Whether you’re a budding sculptor, or just looking for a way to keep the kids entertained, toothbrushes make excellent crafting tools. From creating texture on clay and plasticine, to splattering paint on a canvas, there’s no end to the creative uses for a toothbrush.
Do you have any unusual uses for old toothbrushes? Let us know on our Facebook page and you could be in with a chance of winning an electric toothbrush! Competition closes on Saturday 8th April 2017.
