The Green Light

Tips to help TRDP enrollees be earth-friendly 

Uses for your old toothbrushes
Most dentists suggest that you replace your toothbrush every three to six months or sooner if the bristles become frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth. However, before you toss that old toothbrush into the trash (and eventually, into the landfill), first toss it into the dishwasher, and then consider these suggestions for repurposing it:

Scrubbing brush: Old toothbrushes are ideal for scrubbing kitchen and bathroom tile grout and around faucet handles and fixtures, cleaning out electric razors and scrubbing grimy combs. Use them to clean cheese graters, lemon and garlic presses, waffle irons, toasters, around the blades of your manual or electric can opener, and between the keys of your computer keyboard.

Crevice cleaner: A toothbrush can be used gently with metal polish to clean silverware, brassware, etc., or with furniture polish to remove dust from carved wood and grime from the edges of floor moldings.

Beauty aid: Use a soft toothbrush and soapy water to clean your fingernails and toenails—especially after gardening or walking in the sand. Groom unruly eyebrows with an old toothbrush. Use one to get the build-up in between all the tiny nooks, crannies and stones of your jewelry.

Car and tool cleaner: Toothbrushes are handy for cleaning and oiling tools and car parts. Keep one in the glove compartment of your car and use it to “detail” the interior. Clean the sand and dirt out of your bicycle chain using an old toothbrush.

Spot cleaner: Use an old toothbrush to spot clean laundry, carpet and furniture upholstery.

Besides a myriad of household and everyday uses, old toothbrushes can also be used for a variety of craft projects, which we’ll talk about next time. Just put a couple of old toothbrushes in with your cleaning, gardening and art supplies, and you’re all set.

Posted: April 2, 2010