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Original poster

How the heck do you clean a toilet brush?!

138 replies

Marni83 · 05/09/2021 08:22

They are truly gross things

Had a guest this weekend. A lovely considerate one and cleverly not her fault, she had a tummy upset and she has tried to clean the toilet but left the brush in a disgusting state.

I would bin without a second thought but it’s a beautiful toilet brush that perfectly matches my bathroom!

How do you clean?

Although at the moment… I’m thinking just bin it and suck up spending £28 on identical replacement!

OP posts:
IcedPurple · 05/09/2021 11:51

@Nitgel

it's poo a natural substance i don't really get all the bleaching the hell out of toilet brushes or buying lots. it's really bad for the environment.
Just because it's a 'natural substance' doesn't mean it's not foul!

That said, I agree that MN is neurotic about toilet brushes. I find it quite amusing.

AmelieLovesAutumn · 05/09/2021 11:54

@Miniroofbox

I put it in the dishwasher with the dog bowls on a long wash and do an empty long wash after.
Utterly utterly vile
Lily78123 · 05/09/2021 11:55

Do NOT put it in the dishwasher!!!!!
A bowl full of bleach normally does it, if that doesn’t work, it would be the bin for me.

Interested in this thread?

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Cleaning
Passmeamenuatthetottenham · 05/09/2021 12:00

You spent 28 actual pounds on a toilet brush?

I don`t have toilet brushes because I think they are just so grim. I bleach away any skids on the toilet, it works very well. Yes it's a lot of bleach but it's a lot of bleach to clean a bog brush as well.

I might look into sillicone ones though if they are less disgusting.

As for putting it in the dishwasher? WTAF???

Flickeringgreenlight · 05/09/2021 12:03

I replace mine regularly (2 toilets). Think cheap, supermarket ones. I'm not emotional about them, they aren't fancy, they serve their purpose and then get binned. No way I'd go into the hassle for cleaning them (let alone put them in a dishwasher FFS. Yuk!) 🤮🦠

househuntinginthesouth · 05/09/2021 12:04

Bunch of bleach in the toilet, put the brush in then more bleach on top.

OmgIcantbelieveshedidit · 05/09/2021 12:05

@AllTheCakes

You can buy silicone ones now that are much easier to clean than the bristle ones. Joseph Joseph do them.
I have one of these and it is beyond fab. Soft but firm on the splatter (!) and easy to clean
OmgIcantbelieveshedidit · 05/09/2021 12:06

@househuntinginthesouth

Bunch of bleach in the toilet, put the brush in then more bleach on top.
In your case this is what I would do
Bbub · 05/09/2021 12:06

@garlicandsapphires

I don’t understand those of you who claim to need no brush at all. Scrubbing off poo stains with loo paper?!
My brush-free solutions for skidders:

After flushing, pour down a jug of warm/hot water from the tap over the offending areas, gets rid of 90% of skids.

Bleach on any stubborn parts which also cleans below the water line of you leave it a while (I guess a less harsh toilet cleaner fluid would also work)

Another option for stubborn skids above the water line is a tip I learned from MN, put a few sheets of loo paper of it which dangle into the water, it soaks up and makes the loo paper wet and softens the skid which will be gone with the next flush.

I felt gross writing out that last one but it's such a good tip if you're at someones house for example and have no other option. Thanks MN for that! And it's infinitely better than keeping a shitty brush around.

I genuinely can't ever see a need to have a brush??

Kitkat151 · 05/09/2021 12:08

@Dillydollydingdong

I don't use one, disgusting unhygienic things. A squirt of bleach round the bowl does the trick, no problem.
Me neither.....never never never would I give one house room
plumpylumpydumpy · 05/09/2021 12:13

Washing up liquid works a treat for any bathroom cleaning.
For the loo, I squirt it round, scrub with the loo brush and then flush with the loo brush in the loo.
Also brilliant for makeup in the sink and cleaning the bath/shower.
Fairy Platinum especially keeps everything clean and sparkling and keeps drains clear as it breaks down any grease and scummy stuff.

stripedbananas · 05/09/2021 13:48

I just replace mine every few months or so and rinse it in a clean toilet bowl where I've put a bit of bleach after every use.

H1978 · 05/09/2021 13:59

You can get replace heads for some toilet brushes so you wouldn’t need to get rid of the actual exterior and handle. I’m of the cheap toilet brush variety too that are replaced regularly.

HesterLee · 05/09/2021 14:07

I have a fairly strong stomach but the idea of multiple people's poo particles swirling around inside a dishwasher is 🤢🤮.
Even an empty wash afterwards isn't going to remove every bit.
Poo is not meant to be eaten!!

Bobsyer · 05/09/2021 14:25

^^ I do what @TheWeatherWitch does.

Your toilet doesn't need to be clean enough to eat your dinner off, it just needs to be clean so it doesn't smell. Your plates however, do need to be clean enough to eat off, I am gobsmacked people would put a toilet brush in the dishwasher that is pure disgusting.

@GammyLeg I don't know what you mean, I rarely need to scrub shit off either? Maybe someone in your house has an arse that points the wrong way Grin.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 05/09/2021 14:29

I have a silicone brush and stick it in a bucket of diluted bleach when it looks grubby.

Maireas · 05/09/2021 14:30

I have to agree with pp about the dishwasher thing.
Please tell me no-one actually does this?

Nosferatussidebit · 05/09/2021 14:51

I honestly don't get the Mumsnet obsession with bleach. I've never used bleach, it's bad for the environment and smells awful.

BananaMilkshakeWithCream · 05/09/2021 17:26

@Miniroofbox

I put it in the dishwasher with the dog bowls on a long wash and do an empty long wash after.
I genuinely hope you’re not one of my friends 🤮 🤮 Imagine all the poo flecks and dog food that must be caught in the seals and surrounding areas of your dishwasher. How gross.

Or you’re the poo troll…

FatJan · 05/09/2021 17:31

Dirty fucking bastards putting it in the dishwasher

luckylavender · 05/09/2021 17:52

Boiling water, Bleach. Leave in holder for 30
Minutes or so.

Lunificent · 05/09/2021 17:56

I never clean toilet mess with the brush because then you have to clean the brush! I clean with wipes/ cloth etc and just use the brush for getting stains off the bowl or as a plunger if there’s a tissue blockage.

Londonnight · 05/09/2021 17:59

Silicon brush here, much easier to keep clean. Swill it a few times in clean toilet water, then leave to soak in the toilet bowl with bleach.

gamerchick · 05/09/2021 18:04

@Nosferatussidebit

I honestly don't get the Mumsnet obsession with bleach. I've never used bleach, it's bad for the environment and smells awful.
Yeah it's weird. Bleach is reserved for when there's mega illness in the house.

Mind it's almost as weird as those who use toilet brushes on fresh skids. That's not what they're for.

Burntfingerz · 05/09/2021 18:06

@FatJan

Dirty fucking bastards putting it in the dishwasher

😂😂😂

Absolutely agree

🤮🤮🤮