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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about the dreaded loo brush?

162 replies

crispysausagerolls · 27/04/2019 07:52

This is not supposed to be goady - promise! I know the loo brush is a contentious issue here on MN, but DH and I are having a discussion about what the hell you are supposed to do without one! They are unsightly, yes, and ideally we wouldn’t have one but I cannot understand how you clean the loo under the water otherwise - genuinely want some answers please!

OP posts:
64sNewName · 27/04/2019 08:46

I’ve never liked them, but then we moved into a place where one of toilets is a macerator and we aren’t really supposed to use bleach in it. So I had to buy a brush and it’s not so bad. It is the fully enclosed kind. (I do still use a little bit of bleach)

Bit horrified at the notion of repeatedly binning them after one scrub.

popehilarious · 27/04/2019 08:47

I got a Joseph Joseph loo brush and it cleans way better than a standard one and doesn't flick water everywhere if you're a bit over enthusiastic! Only had it a week or so (discounted in John Lewis) but pleased with it so far. I hate the screw-together ones as they come loose.

ASauvignonADay · 27/04/2019 08:48

I just use bleach. I don't scrub down into it and mine is immaculate. I think it has a 'strong flush' though so nothing really sticks

Original poster
crispysausagerolls · 27/04/2019 08:49

Is it sad that I am very excited by the prospect of this Jospeh Joseph brush?!

OP posts:
Processedpea · 27/04/2019 08:50

I am too reduced at john lewis ? Off to Google

florence11 · 27/04/2019 08:50

I just bleach ours. Usually a second (normal) flush will remove any debris, and if not the loo gets a quick bleach. No way I'd be throwing away loo brushes regularly etc.

Cloudtree · 27/04/2019 08:51

I am also shocked at the person using once and then throwing away. That is absolutely appalling. We've been taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint due to the massive global threat that is climate change and then you have people doing stupid things like that!

I replaced one of mine this week. After 15 years! During that time its been used numerous times a week and I only replaced it because the bristles were starting to fall out.

They sit behind the toilet and you can barely see them. I'm not sure why its unsightly.

Hadenoughofitall441 · 27/04/2019 08:51

You defo Need a loo brush unless of course you prefer to get your marigolds on and get a scloth and get up and personal with the stains. We usually keep ours down the side next To the toilet.

lasttimeround · 27/04/2019 08:53

"Not great environmentally" wow, its horrific. You just clean the brush after use. Besides its enclosed in its little stand thing. Throwing them out after 1 use, 1 week, 1 month is dreadful.

anitagreen · 27/04/2019 08:54

It was only when I joined here a few years ago I realised that some people don't own them. You can even sterilise yours if you find them that gross with a bleach bath in the pot. Isn't it more grim wiping crap off with a rag rather than the loo brush?
Saying that though my mums friend had the same one for about 16 years okay that is gross but using the same one for a year? I think that's okay Confused

youngestisapsycho · 27/04/2019 08:55

I got these, pack of 2 as have 2 loos.... also my new toilets are rimless... so much easier to clean!

www.amazon.co.uk/Skroad-Toilet-Brushes-Holder-Bristle/dp/B07MN6NKLB/ref=sr_1_3?s=gateway&crid=25WQWNZYT63TY&keywords=silicone+loo+brush&sprefix=Silicone+loo%2Caps%2C205&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1556351576&sr=8-3

Cloudtree · 27/04/2019 08:57

I think from reading these threads that most of the people who don't use them tend to just chuck loads of bleach down the toilet constantly. Or they use those disposable things. Both of which are also dreadful for the environment.

Toilet brush and a little septic tank friendly toilet cleaner is all that you need (or a rag which is laudable but high effort)

MrsMozartMkII · 27/04/2019 08:58

Bloody hell! Use once and throw away?! Barking on every level.

We have one next to each loo. Sit in their little container thing. Swooshed in the loo cleaner after scrubbing around the loo. Works just fine. No smell. No particles. Limited effect on the environment (use environmentally friendly loo cleaner).

Cloudtree · 27/04/2019 08:59

Saying that though my mums friend had the same one for about 16 years okay that is gross but using the same one for a year? I think that's okay confused

why is using it for 16 years gross? Its plastic, it can be cleaned.

BruceAndNosh · 27/04/2019 09:00

Yes, I know it's not great environmen tally but needs must
No, needs mustn't.
That is the most ridiculous thing I've read on here on the subject of loo brushes.

anitagreen · 27/04/2019 09:02

@Cloudtree oh I know that but she didn't ever clean it it was neon orange in the end with urine over the years stuck to it and black with poo specks but the toilet was awful also so maybe it wasn't cleaned ever really or rinsed I don't know. Lovely lady though

countrygirl99 · 27/04/2019 09:02

The one in our downstairs loo was left behind by the previous residents nearly 19 years ago. Dollop of dettol in the pot and it's fine. It won't be replaced until the brush bits disintegrate. Upstairs one was bought when we moved in so nearly as old- IKEA cheapie like the one a PP throws away after a single use 😡 and it's still fine.

Bluntness100 · 27/04/2019 09:04

I also don't see the issue with loo brushes, mine are fully immersed, and I think people having to shove their hands down there to get rid of skid marks is way way more disgusting.

PoptartPoptart · 27/04/2019 09:39

If people are SO germ phobic that they only use a toilet brush once before throwing it away then perhaps they should get some professional help for anxiety or something.
That is not normal or acceptable behaviour at all.

MachinicianMagician · 27/04/2019 09:56

I may sound mental as well but I only use a toilet brush once I already think the toilet is clean-ish (i.e. following the bleaching) and I would never use it to get rid of shit. If theres skid marks (rare) then anything above or along the waterline I sort out with toilet paper. And anything under the waterline usually disappears with an extra flush or two.

If it were a particularly beastly poo then I would probably use my hand and a rag to sort it out because I can bin the rag (and it can decompose easily) and I can disinfect my hand. But if I were to use a toilet brush i wouldnt be confident that all of the poo would have been washed off...and I dont want to have a poo-ey toilet brush sitting in my bathroom!

Toilet brushes in my household are used until we move house (the idea of transporting a toilet brush from house to house seems pretty grim!)

BruceAndNosh · 27/04/2019 10:03

Use it once and throw it? How ridiculous is that! Get a grip

Don't encourage her, she would only use the grip once then throw it away

bungaloid · 27/04/2019 10:04

We never use ours, not convinced you really need one. It's probably used by guests. I just clear poo marks off with tissue. I don't mind getting my hand in the toilet a bit! Marks underwater don't need scrubbing, they'll go after a few flushes.

BruceAndNosh · 27/04/2019 10:07

I'm just as horrified at people who chuck loads of bleach down the loo after every use.

AlphaJura · 27/04/2019 10:09

I have one but I keep it in the cupboard. Started doing that because it keeps it away from toddlers. I've had the same one for ages but I bleach it after every use.

SnowyAlpsandPeaks · 27/04/2019 10:10

I just half fill my loo brush holder up with bleach and change it every few days. Then I buy a new brush every two-three months🤷🏻‍♀️