7 Things You Can Clean With an Old Toothbrush

We're strong believers that you don't need a bunch of special tools and supplies to achieve a clean, sparkling home. Sometimes, the best cleaning resources can be found in your pantry (like vinegar and baking soda) or even on your bathroom counter—like that old toothbrush you may have been ready to throw out. Thanks to their soft nylon bristles and overall small footprint, old toothbrushes can be super effective at cleaning in between crevices and tackling tough stains. Keep reading for some of our favorite things you can clean with an old toothbrush.

Tile Grout

Grout is a pain to clean, and simply spraying on a cleaning solution and wiping down with a cloth or sponge usually doesn't cut it. An old toothbrush, however, can get into the crevices and scrub away hard-to-remove grime. Sure, it might be tedious, but you'll see your grout in a whole new light when you're done.

Jewelry

Cleaning jewelry requires a delicate touch. An toothbrush allows you to gently clean in between stones and brush away buildup. Just avoid using any abrasive cleaners or harsh clemicals on your jewelry as these can scratch fine metals and gemstones.

Clothing Stains

You may have been told to never scrub at your clothing stains, but some stains are a bit more stubborn than others. The combination of an old toothbrush—along with a vinegar, detergent, or baking soda solution—can do wonders to lift and remove stains from the fibers of your clothing, especially if you're working with something extra tricky, like a grease stain.

Shoes

Not all shoes can—or should—be thrown in the washing machine. In that case, an old toothbrush can be particularly helpful in spot treating stains or smudges, brushing away dirt buildup, or even dislodging pesky stones stuck in the soles.

Carpet Stains

Depending on the size of the stain, a toothbrush can also be an effective tool for scrubbing spills and spots from carpet, rugs, or upholstery on furniture. Just be sure to always spot-test the cleaning solution you use in an inconspicuous place first, so that you don't accidentally make matters worse.

Brass Objects

Brass can easily get tarnished and it requires a good polishing from time to time to keep it looking fresh. As our resident cleaning expert Mary Marlowe Leverette writes, "If you encounter some particularly tough spots on your brass objects, toothpaste can help. Apply a little bit to your problem spot and gently scrub with a toothbrush, then rinse to get your object looking good as new."

Washing Machine

You may think a toothbrush is too small of an item to clean an entire washing machine—and you'd be right. However, a toothbrush can come in handy when cleaning the gaskets, dispensers, or filters on front-load or top-load washers.