Bathroom essential everyone forgets to clean is ‘among the germiest household items’

They have an essential function in the bathroom and pick up a lot of dust and moisture, yet toothbrush holders are one of the most overlooked parts when it comes to cleaning the bathroom.

Microbiologist Cindy Gunawan, Associate Professor at the Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, told nine.com.au toothbrush holders are actually “among the germiest household items”.

“Toothbrush holders should be cleaned because they accumulate water, saliva, residual toothpaste, bathroom humidity, creating breeding ground for bacteria, mould, mildew and often growth of biofilms, [which is like a] slimy microbial layer,” she said.

“Toothbrush holders should be cleaned once a week, or more often in bathrooms with high humidity and poor ventilation, particularly with kids in households.”

Alex Symons, owner of Outshine Cleaning Co, agreed a weekly clean is best but more often might be necessary for some.

“If multiple people share a bathroom, it’s a good idea to clean them even more frequently,” he said.

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To clean toothbrush holders, first set aside the toothbrushes and toothpaste somewhere clean and safe. 

For tumbler-style holders, which are generally the most common, Symons recommended washing them with dishwashing liquid, warm water and a bottle brush and rinsing and drying thoroughly before using again.

However, Gunawan advised going a step further and sanitising the tumbler after washing by soaking in equal parts vinegar and water or antibacterial mouthwash. She said you can boil them if the material is safe for that or put it in the top rack of the dishwasher if the material is dishwasher safe.

For toothbrush holders that are covered in heavy buildup, Krishna, founder of Bloody Good Cleaners, told nine.com.au you can use a mix of dishwashing liquid and vinegar and scrub with a non-scratch scourer or fine steel wool (0000 grade).

For those who have switched to electric toothbrushes and use the charger as a holder, that also needs cleaning regularly.

“Charger docks that also hold toothbrushes will collect similar stuff as the other style toothbrush holders. White slimy gunk can form where the toothbrush sits. Clean the charger dock surfaces weekly or wipe more often, if wet. Do not submerge [in water] as they are electronics,” Gunawan said.

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“To clean, we need to unplug it, then wipe off debris with a slightly damp soft cloth, then clean with damp cloth and soapy solution, [or you] can use a cotton bud for crevices.”

Gunawan also recommended 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol swabs for stubborn grime and, for toothpaste buildup, a mix of vinegar and water.

“Then wipe thoroughly with a damp cloth to remove residue and dry thoroughly; you can use a hairdryer for crevices,” she said.

To make his electric toothbrush holder easier to clean, Symons is a fan of a popular hack.

“I actually grab a cotton makeup pad, stick a hole in it and place it over my electric toothbrush charger which makes cleaning it a lot easier as I can just replace the pad when needed,” he said.

If you’re wondering about toothbrushes themselves and how to keep them clean, Gunawan shared some simple tips.

“Rinse toothbrushes thoroughly after use, shake off excess water, store them upright with heads up in the open – not covered. Replace toothbrushes every three months or after illness,” she said.