Cleaning hacks: 15 things you can clean around the house with a toothbrush

There are a lot of cleaning tasks that can’t get done without the right tools.

While there are plenty of gadgets, brushes and sponges you can buy, the best is one you’ve already paid for and it can be reused to tackle so many things.

That item is the humble toothbrush, which you should be replacing every three months anyway and when you do set aside for any or all of the jobs listed below.

READ MORE: Planting a bulb lasagna now means beautiful blooms all spring

1. Grout

Kitchen, shower, splashback or floor tile grout can all be cleaned with a toothbrush. The soft gentle bristles mean you won’t damage the grout, while the small size of the brush head is the perfect size for all those intricate lines. If you’re tired of scrubbing try an old electric toothbrush instead.

READ MORE: Shocking reason dryer was taking three hours to dry clothes

2. Shower seals

These spots are hard to get stuck into with larger brushes. Try a toothbrush, which should be able to get some of those tiny bristles inside the seal, you might not even need to take it completely off using one.

3. Shower door tracks

Those tiny edges and corners can collect a lot of gunk with all that water washing over them and scrubbing with a toothbrush will help you reach all those nooks and crannies. Use soapy water or your preferred bathroom cleaner with the toothbrush.

READ MORE: Why detergent bubbles in your washing machine is a bad thing

4. Around taps

Whether it’s the kitchen sink or bathroom basin, the base of taps collects a lot of water and grime. Toothbrushes make easier work of cleaning around this circular space and doing this regularly will stop it from staining.

READ MORE: The $19 Ikea buy sparks debate over design detail

5. Sink and stove edges

A toothpick or butter knife with a cloth are good for getting into this tiny gap around your sink, but scrubbing with a toothbrush will give it a more thorough clean.

The best kitchen cleaning hacks that actually work

5. Sink plughole

When your plughole starts to discolour or you see blackish gunk building up in the gap around the plug hole or on it it’s time to scrub it with a toothbrush.

This is great for those tiny areas and smaller toothbrushes might even be able to squeeze in a but further to get buildup just inside the top of the drain.

READ MORE: A forgotten task could save your houseplants from dying

6. Dishwasher filter

Far better than a dish scrubbing brush, a toothbrush gives a more thorough clean of the mesh in your filter. Gently scrub while under running hot water on both the inside and out, rinse and dry before popping back in the appliance.

For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.

7. Dishwasher detergent dispenser

Any small spot in the dishwasher can be cleaned with a toothbrush but it’s particularly good for removing any remaining dishwasher powder stuck in the detergent dispenser.

8. Toaster crumb tray

If you haven’t cleaned this regularly you’ll find a lot of crumbs on top, some that are a bit stuck on the tray and even bit of buildup on the bottom. A gentle scrub with some dishwashing liquid and water using a toothbrush will fix it right up. Give it a rinse and make sure it is thoroughly dry before putting back in and using the toaster again.

READ MORE: Top 10 air fryers that will change the way you cook

9. Window and door tracks

While specially designed brushes are really handy for this spot, toothbrushes also work well because their slim size fits right into these spaces. Other nooks and crannies around doors and windows can be cleaned with a toothbrush too.

Use a dry toothbrush to loosen dirt and dust, vacuum this up and then go in with soapy water and a cloth to wipe clean.

READ MORE: A forgotten task could save your houseplants from dying

10. Washing machine filter

Another filter that gets a lot of buildup if not cleaned regularly, washing machine filters sometimes need a light scrub to remove lint, and toothbrushes are perfect for that.

11. Stains on clothes, carpet and linen

For stains that require a gentle scrub after a cleaning solution has been applied, toothbrushes are the best option thanks to their soft bristles.

READ MORE: Seven things that can only go in the top rack of a dishwasher

12. Shoes

Toothbrushes are great for sneakers and white canvas shoes that are looking worse for wear. Try scrubbing shoes gently with a toothbrush and a bit of soap from a laundry stain remover bar and wipe off with a damp cloth. Some shoes can even be tossed in the washing machine after this but check first.

13. Jewellery

A baby toothbrush is best for this task. Try using a mild dish soap and water to bring sterling silver back to life.

READ MORE: Surprising $10 Bunnings hack making shower cleaning easier

14. Toys

Get into all those tiny areas of Lego, cars and dolls with a toothbrush and some soapy water. If they don’t have a lot of gunk and grime on them you can pop things like Lego in the dishwasher for a wash using a mesh bag on the top rack only.

15. Keyboard

If you’ve picked up your keyboard and banged it on your desk you’ll see all the hair, eyelashes and crumbs that fall out. To help that process and remove stubborn bits, lightly scrub the crevices between keys with a dry toothbrush.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.