Cleaning Toothbrushes Naturally To Kill Germs

Rinsing your toothbrush in water doesn’t kill germs. Sterilizing your toothbrush occasionally, especially after you have been sick, is important.  Cleaning toothbrushes naturally means you can avoid the chemicals and reduce your exposure to toxic products. 

 

Why should you clean your toothbrush?

Have you ever heard of Staphylococcus aureus? Do you know what Streptococcus pneumoniae is? Did you know that these are just two of the millions of bacteria that live in your mouth? Everyone’s mouth, no matter how often you brush, rinse or floss, harbors millions of bacteria in it.

Most of them are fairly harmless and studies have not shown any negative consequences to our overly populated oral cavities. But, what about when you get sick? And the bacteria in your mouth are maybe not so ‘normal’?

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Cleaning toothbrushes on a regular basis can help prevent reinfection after you catch a cold, get a sinus infection or suffer from some other nasty illness. If natural oral health is important to you, keep reading to learn how to start cleaning toothbrushes without chemicals or fancy technology. And if your toothbrush is just too old to keep on using? Check out my post on how to repurpose old toothbrushes once they are starting to look a bit used!

Cleaning Toothbrushes Naturally

Keeping your toothbrush clean is important.  Avoiding nasty chemicals and harsh toxins is also important!  Get your toothbrush really clean and decrease your odds of getting a cold or the flu this season.  

The Importance of Natural Oral Care:

I must admit, I am a rather cautious shopper. I read labels and worry about the things I bring home to my kids. They may not care about such things, but *I* do! Look for oral hygiene products that do not contain artificial colors, flavors, fragrances, preservatives, or any animal ingredients.  NO animal testing is also a great characteristic of natural oral health care products.  Cleaning toothbrushes can be done with simple, natural, and SAFE methods!

Cleaning toothbrushes naturally is easy!

So, how do you clean a toothbrush after you are sick? You COULD go out and invest in an ultraviolet toothbrush cleaners. If you have the room in your bathroom, this might be an okay solution, however, it can be expensive and probably unnecessary.

Cleaning toothbrushes regularly is a natural and frugal way to keep your mouth healthy. It’s really incredibly easy to do and you probably have all the ingredients right in your pantry. In fact, all you need is vinegar and baking soda!

How to clean toothbrush with vinegar and baking soda:

Cleaning a toothbrush with vinegar and baking soda is my go to method.  These two items are always in my pantry!

• Rinse toothbrush under warm water to remove leftover toothpaste residue
• Pour 3 inches of white vinegar into a glass
• Put your toothbrushes bristle side DOWN in the vinegar
• dd 1 TBSP baking soda to the vinegar and stir the mixture with your toothbrush (This will FIZZ! use a good sized glass and make sure you do it somewhere that is easy to clean!)
• Let sit for 30 minutes
• Rinse toothbrushes under warm water and let air dry

Other Ways to Clean Your Toothbrush

So, you can invest in an ultraviolet cleaner or use vinegar/baking soda.  What are some other ways to clean toothbrushes?  Some people soak the toothbrush head in mouthwash or effervescent denture cleaner. Still others freeze it or sterilize it in boiling water or microwave it.  Can you microwave a toothbrush to kill germs?  I have read  that 10 seconds in the microwave will sterilize it, however, I’m not so sure I trust that advice!

How to Keep Your Toothbrush Cleaner Longer:

Now that you have a clean toothbrush, be careful how you use it and store it.   After sterilizing your toothbrush,  make sure you KEEP it clean as long as possible. Here are a few tips:

• Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after brushing with plenty of water
• Keep your toothbrush bristles side UP in a cup or toothbrush holder so that is dries quickly and stays dry.
• Store your toothbrush at least a few feet away from your toilet and make sure to put the lid down before you flush. This will help prevent air born bacteria landing on your toothbrush.
• Replace your toothbrush every few months. Don’t throw it out!  

There are many ways to get your toothbrush really clean.  Make sure you sterilize your toothbrush regularly, especially after you have been sick!  Check out BreathMD for more information on how to clean and store a toothbrush properly. Will YOU be cleaning toothbrushes this winter?