Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think about not having a toilet brush?

135 replies

JoelyJoe · 12/12/2023 15:51

So, during a particularly scintillating conversation at work today, about the state of the staff toilets, a colleague mentioned that she would never have a toilet brush in her house, because they are disgusting! Another colleague agreed.
I was surprised. While I hate the toilet brush, and its revolting little pot, I don't know of another alternative, other than putting my hand down there. Do they just use bleach? I don't really like using super strong chemicals any more than necessary.
I'd love to not have one. What do people do??

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
TheKeatingFive · 26/05/2024 10:50

Mamai100 · 26/05/2024 10:28

I do the same.

Toilet brushes are disgusting and I can only imagine what would happen if my toddler got her hands on it!

Assuming you clean it, absolutely nothing

lazyarse123 · 26/05/2024 10:35

I put my hand down the loo, it's no more grim than wiping my arse with toilet paper.
Although I do have a brush because sometimes I do a massive shit and it gets stuck. I clean it after use obviously.

Mamai100 · 26/05/2024 10:28

NightmareGirl · 12/12/2023 15:57

I use a sponge and cleaner then throw the sponge out. I couldn’t have a toilet brush it would make me feel sick

Edited

I do the same.

Toilet brushes are disgusting and I can only imagine what would happen if my toddler got her hands on it!

AHFaemale · 26/05/2024 10:25

christmaspaws · 12/12/2023 19:55

Why not use a cloth or something rather than putting wipes into landfill every day?

I have a silicone one. It's only used on the toilet with toilet cleaner, not for scrubbing off skid marks so it's not dirty

"I have a silicone one. It's only used on the toilet with toilet cleaner, not for scrubbing off skid marks so it's not dirty"

Exactly this. Some people appear to think they are for cleaning shit off the sides of toilets <<shudders>>

Letsgotitans · 25/05/2024 18:40

roombaclean · 12/12/2023 16:08

I've never tried it but there's FlushBrush. The handle is separate and magnetic, the brush head is silicone and sits in a clip in the loo. Pick it up with the magnetic handle, scrub and pop it back. The flush cleans the head.

Edit: Misread your post but I'll leave it up in case someone wants to try FB out!

Edited

Omg thank you so much for sharing this! This looks so much more hygienic, I've order one!

TheKeatingFive · 25/05/2024 18:25

I've never understood the MN horror of loo brushes. They're very easy to clean. Personally I think it's a bit unfair to guests not to have one.

TotteringByRosie · 25/05/2024 18:20

Just use a toilet brush! You need something by the toilet for all members of the family and guests to use if necessary. Most of these other ideas leave the job of cleaning up after everyone to the lady of the house - that's not my idea of good housekeeping!

Gingernan · 25/05/2024 18:00

As someone with ibs I am stressed if I go to someone's house and they don't have one. I remember meeting my inlaws back in the 70s and was told a toilet brush was in the garage if needed. Embarrassing!Often having to put my hand down and clean up. Also it isn't nice to leave a toilet mucky and only put bleach down once a day. I'm a bad housewife but have hygienic loos. I'm a bit judgy about that.

Frankley · 14/12/2023 10:18

Duck flushable cleaner bit is biodegradable and crumbles like toilet paper.
Very hygienic

Sexlivesofthepotatomen · 13/12/2023 12:25

Frankley · 12/12/2023 17:41

I use Duck toilet "brush " it uses a disposable bit on it's end that you just unclip (without touching it)
after use and fush down cleaned toilet. I would never have a toilet brush again.

You shouldn't be flushing those down the toilet

TheCadoganArms · 13/12/2023 07:33

Jumpingthruhoops · 12/12/2023 20:15

Not wanting a household item sitting beside the toilet that could still have debris on it after it's been used is not being obsessively hygenic, just hygienic.

You know you wash the brush when you flush the toilet after cleaning so there is no shit on it?

I would wager that the sponge/cloth that most people use to clean their kitchen sink and surfaces with has more bacteria on it then a dreaded bleached toilet brush.

Falmouthflipflops · 13/12/2023 00:59

Loo brush for us as in a hard water area and have a Septic so no bleach, although I rinse the toilet brush in its container with a teaspoon of bleach, then pour in wc pan. After all, as one famous bleach manufacturer reminds us their's 'kills all germs, Dead' - which is the most stupid slogan out.

IDoughnutKnow · 12/12/2023 22:59

User2856948 · 12/12/2023 19:18

I say toilet, most people do, I think PP was just being a bit snobby, she mentioned her builders saying it

I was the one. What I meant was that they say "toilet" when they're installing them. Which is different and perfectly acceptable. I don't know what they call it when they're actually using them as opposed to fitting them, as I've never felt the need to ask them (and yes, they use my loo and it doesn't bother me - unlike all sorts of people on here, who think their loos might somehow be sullied by dirty workmen).

Hyacinth Bucket would have been saying "toilette", to match "serviette". Grin

TheDogIsInCharge · 12/12/2023 21:31

TheCadoganArms · 12/12/2023 15:56

Never heard of one of those!!

I haver a silicone one, pricey brand.

Tis fucking useless. I bough a £2 brush from Morrisons which lives in a shallow plastic bowl but which cleans the toilet better than the £20 one.

I'll take clean over a shitey toilet anyday.

Jumpingthruhoops · 12/12/2023 21:30

Thanks but bleach does the job perfectly.

Cupcakekiller · 12/12/2023 21:28

I just use spray & baby wipes/sponge and wash my hands after. I clean the toilet at least once every a day and after every time I've done a poo so hard stains never build up. Can't stand a dirty toilet.

JoelyJoe · 12/12/2023 20:39

Thank you. I have just ordered one. If I like it, I may go wild and get a second one for my other loo.

OP posts:
TrixieFatell · 12/12/2023 20:26

Every day bleach. Twice a week the toilet duck cleaner with the removable heads. The thought of a toilet brush is grim

RampantIvy · 12/12/2023 20:23

Well said @Benibidibici

Not wanting a household item sitting beside the toilet that could still have debris on it after it's been used is not being obsessively hygenic, just hygienic.

So, you use a silicon brush which rinses easily. Then it gets put away after being cleaned. Debris doesn't stick to silicon brushes @Jumpingthruhoops

ChocolateCinderToffee · 12/12/2023 20:21

Anything above the waterline use a handful of loo paper. Anything below the waterline, a squirt of bleach.

OhForGoodnessSake1 · 12/12/2023 20:17

I've always lived in hard water areas ... the main use for the brush is not clearing skid marks, but skooshing out the water so whatever descaler I am using at the time can get at the beginings of limescale without instantly being washed away. (Skooshing out the water was the NHS approved way of cleaning toilets I learnt during a student job ...)

Jumpingthruhoops · 12/12/2023 20:15

Daisies12 · 12/12/2023 16:35

I don’t see how they are unhygienic? It’s only going in the toilet. I hate using bleach it’s so toxic. I’m always shocked how ultra obsessed people on MN are with hygiene. No wonder everyone has allergies and asthma, I rarely use any chemicals at home and we’re never ill

Not wanting a household item sitting beside the toilet that could still have debris on it after it's been used is not being obsessively hygenic, just hygienic.

Benibidibici · 12/12/2023 20:15

I own four loo brushes. We are all healthy and the loo is lovely and clean.

Bamboozles · 12/12/2023 20:13

Topseyt123 · 12/12/2023 17:39

I am the very proud owner of two bog brushes. One beside the toilet in the bathroom upstairs and one beside the downstairs toilet.

Neither are gross. They are rinsed in the flushing water of the toilet, which I will have cleaned by brushing around it with bleach.

I think not having a bog brush is batshit.

Me too!

ArsenicInTheAppleTart · 12/12/2023 20:11

IDoughnutKnow · 12/12/2023 18:57

Don't be silly. There's no "faux politeness" here. Far from it, in fact. "Toilet" is on a par with "lounge", "settee" (or, worse, "couch"), "bubbly", and "dessert". There are plenty more where those came from. People who are being "faux polite" tend to use euphemisms - "passed away" (or "passed", which is beyond awful) instead of "died".

I don't know a single person who says "toilet", other than my builders.

Call a spade a spade and a loo brush a loo brush.

Frankly I'm surprised someone as uptight as you appear to be is even capable of taking a shit.

Swipe left for the next trending thread