16 Times a Toothbrush Gets Things Spotlessly Clean: Tips from Professional Cleaners

Cleaning tile grout with a toothbrush is a classic trick. “If you don’t have a special product on hand, simply mix equal parts vinegar and baking soda, add a little dish soap, apply the paste to the grout, wait 5 to 10 minutes, then go over it with a toothbrush,” advises cleaning company president Marla Mock.

As Caroline Forte, director of the Housekeeping Institute’s Cleaning Lab, explains, brushing with a toothbrush quickly tidys up the powder compartment and the space it fits in. “You can also use it to clean rubber seals and spot-treat clothes before washing,” she says.

“Cleaning a grater is one of the most annoying tasks. You have to tinker with the thing—with some models, it sometimes seems like it’s easier to buy a new one than to remove the cheese stuck to the inside of your old one. But a hard-to-reach toothbrush is ideal: it can help you get through a grater in less than a minute,” says Marla.

“This is perhaps the least specific use for a toothbrush you can think of. My grandmother taught me this trick: before I cook corn, I remove the stigmas with a toothbrush. That way, you don’t have to worry about them getting stuck between your teeth,” Caroline explains.

A jewelry toothbrush is the perfect tool. Not only does it help remove dirt stuck in hard-to-reach places, but it also won’t damage the finish or soft stones like pearl, amber, jet, malachite, and coral, says Mock. (Remember, you can’t use harsh products to clean them; a regular dish soap solution will do.)

The spaces between buttons and keys are a real magnet for dust and crumbs, especially if you often eat while sitting in front of the computer or TV. Unsurprisingly, cleaning your keyboard with a toothbrush is considered another classic trick: use a dry one to remove any excess, or wrap it in a disinfectant wipe if you want to kill bacteria and germs.

You can achieve perfect cleanliness with a toothbrush in the area where the sink meets the countertop: there is a space where debris gets clogged when you wipe dust or water drops with a cloth. Once a week, sweep it with a toothbrush to prevent unpleasant odors from appearing.

A toothbrush is a must-have for cleaning when you have to tidy up children’s toys – for example small figurines: the bristles will help to remove dirt even on those with many small parts.

Electric juicers are traps for all sorts of fruit particles. It is very important to keep them clean, as bacteria can settle on food residue. Cleaning the small parts with a toothbrush will help prevent this by first soaking the parts in water for 10 minutes and then running the tool over them.

Cleaning the gaps with a toothbrush is not the only way to use it. When making a ponytail, dip a brush in hairspray, and then comb the small hairs with it – this will make your hairstyle much neater.

Long nails look great, but they have one major drawback: a lot of dust and debris accumulate under them during the day. It is unlikely that you want them to stay with you for a long time, so follow the advice of manicurists: once a day, washing your hands (preferably in the evening), clean the space under the edge of the plate with a toothbrush.

We continue to discuss the sphere of beauty: using an old toothbrush for cleaning is of course a great trick, but have you tried to dye your hair with it? The brush can easily replace a special brush in case of loss – its small size will help to minimize damage.

A toothbrush for cleaning textured surfaces is ideal: it will help remove crumbs and burnt batter from all the nooks and crannies of the waffle iron. You can also use it to spread the oil evenly over the surface of the appliance the next time you use it.

You know how much dust can accumulate in there! In the case of guides, removing the dust with a toothbrush is the best option: you can either sweep it outside or loosen it and then collect it with a vacuum cleaner.

“Many people simply wipe the refrigerator seal with a damp cloth. I think this is not enough: a regular cloth will not penetrate the bottom of the crack and the dust will remain there. But professional cleaning with a toothbrush will help solve the problem: the rubber will be spotlessly clean,” Marla explains.

Cleaning shoes with a toothbrush is very convenient: it helps to remove all dirt from the sole, and in the case of canvas and mesh, from the upper. You can use a white toothpaste without gel as a sole cleaner: it will help to remove even the most stubborn stains.

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