What’s the most disgusting thing in your home? The oven is a popular answer, as is the kitchen bin, but one item we tend to forget about (or try not to think about) is the often-neglected toilet brush.

Covered in ‘residue’ and left to soak in a puddle of toilet water, the toilet brush needs no introduction to the hall of shame. It’s a regular bacteria haven. And yet, rather than clean it, many of us choose to ignore it and just replace it when there’s no other option.

This feature is here to give you that option. We’ve listed five ways to keep your toilet brush spick and span, so you don’t need to feel embarrassed when guests use the bathroom.

What to read next

1. Rinse the toilet brush

    It sounds like common sense, but it needs stating. Do not use the toilet brush and then place it straight back in the holder as soon as you're finished with it. That’s an instant recipe for a filthy toilet brush – one that you’re not going to want to use again.

    Instead, as you flush the toilet, use the water to rinse the brush through, rotating it while you do so and scrubbing at the walls to help loosen any residue. Once it’s rinsed, spritz the brush with a disinfectant and then leave it to dry over the toilet by trapping the handle between the seat and the bowl. Only return it to the holder once it’s had sufficient time to air-dry. This will help to prevent water from building up in your holder. For a thorough clean, you could use a disinfectant wipe on the handle, too.

    how to clean toilet brush
    bymuratdeniz//Getty Images

    2. Empty out the holder

      Speaking of which, if you know there’s water building up in your toilet brush holder, you need to bite the bullet and deal with it – no matter how much you might not want to. You’ll need to keep this drained to keep the brush (and your floors) clean. No one wants that awful moment when the brush drips on the floor en route to the toilet!

      Tip the water carefully into your toilet and flush it away, then rinse out the holder and spritz some disinfectant into the base to kill any germs. If you like, you can give the outside a once-over with a disinfectant wipe for a more thorough cleanse. Leave it to dry fully with the brush removed (you can always secure it under the toilet seat).

      3. Sprinkle bicarb in the holder

        If you’re dealing with a particularly smelly toilet brush – no judgement – there’s a solution for this, too. Once the holder is rinsed, empty and relatively dry, you can sprinkle a few tbsp of bicarbonate of soda into the base. This will actively deodorise the space by neutralising odour molecules in the air.

        Leave overnight and then the next morning spritz some white vinegar into the holder (expect a bit of fizzing), and tip away once it’s finished bubbling. Then rinse your holder clean of any remaining residue. This has the benefit of cleaning your holder as well as deodorising it with the chemical reaction. Don’t use the vinegar in shallow holders, though, or you could end up making a mess!

        how to clean toilet brush
        brizmaker//Getty Images

        4. Take advantage of bleach

          As an alternative to a disinfectant spray, you could use bleach instead. If you already put this down your toilet, you’ve got the bonus of it being ready to use in situ, too.

          When you apply bleach to your toilet (remember to wear gloves, a mask and eye protection), use your toilet brush to scrub it around the bowl – this will help to improve the application and performance of the bleach. Then, as it sits, leave your toilet brush soaking in the water alongside for a few minutes. These are the perfect conditions to disinfect the brush. Flush clean water over it and leave to dry afterwards.

          5. Deep clean once a week

            To give the brush and holder a deep clean, start by filling the holder with hot, soapy water. Swish it around with the brush in place, then empty the solution down the toilet and rinse. Repeat the same steps using cold water and a couple of drops of bleach (don’t use hot water as it renders the bleach ineffective), but this time let the brush soak in the holder for 10 minutes before pouring it away. Rinse both with fresh water and leave the brush to dry before replacing.

            Aim to do this once a week and replace the brush when you notice the bristles starting to bend or discolour.

            Never mix bleach and other household disinfectants together; it can release dangerous vapours.

            Our favourite toilet brushes
            Cherry-shape toilet brush and holder set
            PUMYPOREITY Cherry-shape toilet brush and holder set
            Credit: Pumyporeity
            Alessi ASG04 AZ toilet brush
            Alessi ASG04 AZ toilet brush
            Credit: Alessi
            Stripe toilet brush and holder
            John Lewis & Partners Stripe toilet brush and holder
            Credit: John Lewis
            Nova One toilet brush by Zone Denmark
            Nova One toilet brush by Zone Denmark
            Credit: HEAL's
            MR.SIGA toilet bowl brush and holder
            MR.SIGA toilet bowl brush and holder
            Now 10% Off
            Credit: Mr. Siga
            Joseph Joseph Flex Lite silicone toilet brush
            Joseph Joseph Flex Lite silicone toilet brush
            Now 35% Off
            Credit: Joseph Joseph