Some items are easy to recycle: Old books make great additions to your local school. Hand-me-downs can be given to a neighbor or youngest child. Glass bottles make delightful DIYs.

What about old toothbrushes? While we wouldn’t recommend giving them to anyone at Thursday night book club, we do have a few (sanitary) ideas.

By reusing old toothbrushes, you are saving energy, preventing pollution, and more! These toothbrush tricks will benefit the planet and provide you with a new and resourceful tool..

Here’s how your old toothbrush can help you…

Tidy up.

The military used to make soldiers clean bathroom floors with old toothbrushes. While we respect the soldiers’ earth-friendly punishment, our toothbrush cleaning routine is all about reaching those nooks and crannies. The possibilities are endless: appliances, windowsills, keyboards, grout, shoe soles, and even your hairdryer.

Bring out your inner Jackson Pollock.

Toothbrushes make unique art instruments. Use a white canvas, gather old toothbrushes, and pick your favorite acrylic paint colors. Drip, flick, and drizzle until you get a mantle-worthy masterpiece. 

Do you have more ways to make less waste? Share your re-usable toothbrush ideas in the comments section.