Boil your toothbrush for about 3 minutes. Although it is hard on your toothbrush, boiling water will most germs. A toothbrush can be put into the silverware compartment of the dishwasher to be sanitized. Run your toothbrush through on the hot cycle without soap.
Your toothbrush can harbor bacteria from your mouth. These bacteria can multiply if your toothbrush isn't properly disinfected. Without proper disinfection, you're trying to clean your mouth with a dirty toothbrush.
Disinfecting Your Toothbrush
You can also use 70% alcohol. Do not store the toothbrush in mouthwash liquid, or any other kind of liquid. After brushing, rinse the head with tap water, wipe the handle down, or disinfect with solution, then place bristles up to dry.
Soak in apple cider vinegar: With antimicrobial properties, this biodegradable disinfectant can help destroy mouth bacteria. Place your toothbrush in a cup of ACV for 30 seconds, rinse thoroughly, then allow to dry before using.
Hydrogen peroxide is another great way to disinfect your toothbrush and keep it clean until your next use. Simply fill a small glass with 3% hydrogen peroxide and store your toothbrush, bristles down, in the solution. When you are ready to brush your teeth, rinse the toothbrush under hot water before use.
Although boiling water can be a bit harsh on the plastic of your brush, it does a great job killing the bacteria that builds up over time. Boil a small pot of water on the stove and dip the head of your toothbrush in the rolling boil for at least three minutes to kill most germs.
Store your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide.
Pour the solution into a small container (enough to cover your toothbrush head) and soak your toothbrush in the solution for about 5 minutes. When the time is done, rinse your toothbrush thoroughly.
Boil your toothbrush for about 3 minutes. Although it is hard on your toothbrush, boiling water will most germs. A toothbrush can be put into the silverware compartment of the dishwasher to be sanitized. Run your toothbrush through on the hot cycle without soap.
Clean Your Toothbrush with Baking Soda
Soak your toothbrush in a cup of water with 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Baking soda has antibacterial activity and has been found to kill bacteria that is a major contributor to tooth decay.
I used the before and after disinfection counts to determined the % reduction of bacteria for each disinfection method for comparison. Trial #1 showed hydrogen peroxide and mouthwash both eliminated 100% of bacteria, hot water reduced bacteria by 71%, UV toothbrush sanitizer 31%, and salt water 16%.
In general, rubbing alcohol is better at killing germs on your hands, as it's gentler on your skin than hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is most effective when it's allowed to sit on surfaces for at least 10 minutes at room temperature.
Rubbing alcohol can kill them within 10 seconds. Hydrogen peroxide is another antiseptic, or disinfectant, that kills viruses and various forms of bacteria. But it needs more time than rubbing alcohol does to kill germs. It needs up to 5 minutes to do its job.
How do you clean a toothbrush? @dr. m_ advises washing the toothbrush head with soap and warm water daily, making sure to rinse all the soap off properly.
You should never store your brush in a closed or airtight container, as bacteria love moisture and will thrive in this environment. Instead, place the brush in a cup or holder in an upright position to ensure that it dries off thoroughly. Avoid putting it in a drawer or cabinet, as well.
[6] Listerine killed all the microorganisms on the toothbrush bristles. Caudry et al. had suggested that soaking the toothbrush bristles in Listerine for 20 minutes prevents bacterial contamination.
You can also disinfect your toothbrush by swishing it in an antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds. If you don't have mouthwash, you can use 2 teaspoons of baking soda mixed into 1 cup of water instead. Soaking your toothbrush in white vinegar once a week may also help disinfect it.
Using Vinegar and Backing Soda
Mix 1/2 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and a 1/2 scoop of baking soda. Place your toothbrush in this for 30 minutes.
Cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda. Due to its antibacterial, bleaching, and grease-busting cleaning powers, the duo can be used to effectively clean most household messes. It's particularly effective on tough, protein-based messes, and is a great addition to your regular cleaning routine.
UV sanitizing kills bacteria; viruses can survive on toothbrushes for 24 hours; toothbrush design, color, opacity, and bristle arrangement are a major factor in retaining microorganisms.
Soak the toothbrush in the bleach solution
Drop the toothbrush into the disinfecting solution and let it soak for 6 minutes.
If you don't want to use multiple brushes or leave your toothbrush in the open air, you can use hydrogen peroxide overnight to clean the bristles. Simply put a little bit in a small glass and store your toothbrush with the bristles down in the peroxide.
Make sure it's not too gritty! If so, add a little more hydrogen peroxide. Brush with this paste and thoroughly rinse! Use this paste in moderation; no more than 2-3 times a week.
Rinse your mouth with two teaspoons of the hydrogen peroxide rinse for one minute, and then spit it out. You may use it up to four times daily following brushing. Just like using peroxide for a scrape on your skin, this hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse helps the inside of your mouth heal.