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Written by Grove Collaborative

How to clean a toilet brush and plunger after use.

Last Updated: December 13, 2021


Your toilet brush, holder, and plunger carry disgusting germs. Learn how (and how often) to clean a toilet brush and plunger from the cleaning experts at Grove.

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You pay a lot of attention to keeping your bathroom super clean, so why would you neglect the tools that get the job done? Just like other cleaning tools, bathroom gadgets like your toilet brush and plunger need to be cleaned regularly.


Toilet brushes and plungers do dirty jobs — so keeping them clean should be a top priority. Learn how to clean a toilet brush and plunger easily, without using harmful chemicals.

Why should you clean a toilet brush?

To keep your bathroom spic-n-span and germ-free, you probably remember to add jobs like cleaning the toilet, shower, and bathroom floors to your weekly cleaning checklist. But how often do you think about cleaning your toilet brush? Probably not on that list, right?


But you should add this tool to your cleaning to-dos, because like toilets, toilet brushes can be a carrier for germs. In fact, the Society for Applied Microbiology states that in 4 out of 6 households tested, salmonella was found under the rims of toilet bowls!


Even though you use your toilet brush to scrub those germs from your toilet bowl, without regular cleaning and sanitizing of the bristles, your brush can spread nasty germs each time you use it (yikes)!


Some folks like to use chlorine bleach to disinfect their toilet brushes, and there’s nothing wrong with that in moderation. But, if you prefer an eco-friendly, natural method to cleaning and sanitizing your toilet brush bristles, follow these simple steps to keeping your toilet brush clean—naturally.

How to keep a toilet brush clean

1. Wash the brush in clean toilet bowl water

Use your go-to natural toilet cleaner to thoroughly clean your toilet bowl.


After cleaning and scrubbing with the toilet brush, flush and rinse the brush in clean toilet water.

2. Spray the toilet brush with a disinfectant

Sandwich the toilet brush underneath the toilet seat to keep it in place and prevent it from touching the toilet water.


Spray the brush with a natural disinfectant like an all-purpose spray, hydrogen peroxide, or apple cider vinegar vinegar, turning it in a clockwise motion to coat all the bristles.

3. Let it soak, then rinse away

Let the toilet brush sit with the disinfectant on it for at least 30 minutes, then flush again and rinse it in the toilet bowl water.


Sandwich the brush between the toilet seat again to allow the brush to dry before putting it back in the brush holder.

Try this Toilet Brush with Replaceable Head from Grove!

Our eco-minded, germ-resistant Toilet Brush with Replaceable Head brings bowl cleaning into the sustainable era.


It’s crafted from recycled aluminum and recycled plastic and features a replaceable brush head, so you can refresh the dirty part, without the need to throw out the handle with the bath... er, toilet water.


The brush comes with a stand filled with diatomaceous earth, a natural rock that, when ground, absorbs excess water while resisting mold and bacteria. If ever there was a toilet brush to get excited about, we believe it’s this one.

Find it here!

How often should you clean your toilet brush?

To keep germs at bay, clean your toilet brush every single time you use it. See how easy it is to clean a toilet bowl brush by watching this short video!





Wanna make sure you’re cleaning your toilet effectively? Learn everything you need to know about how to clean a toilet the easy and natural way!

Shop for toilet cleaning products from Grove.

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How to clean a toilet brush holder

Now that your brush is sparkly clean, you don’t want to return it to a dirty holder!


At least every other time you use your brush to clean the toilet, clean the toilet brush holder.


Spray it with a disinfectant spray, and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes. Rinse the holder under hot water, and let it completely dry before returning the brush.

How to clean a toilet plunger in 4 steps

It’s that moment that makes you panic — you flush, only to discover that what you’re trying to ahem flush isn’t going down. You reach for the plunger and put some serious muscles into unclogging the toilet, but now what do you do with the toilet plunger after use?


Although a plunger isn’t technically classified as a bathroom cleaning tool, you do have to use it in the bathroom from time to time. Considering the messes your plunger gets itself into, give it a thorough cleaning after each use in four quick steps:

1. Rinsing

Give the plunger a good rinse as you flush the toilet. Flush twice if necessary.

2. Soaking

Apply your go-to disinfectant both to the plunger itself and the toilet bowl.


Allow the plunger to soak in the toilet water full of disinfectant for at least 10 minutes.

3. Swishing

Swish and soak the plunger as much as necessary to degrossify it.


Flush multiple times to get some clean water, and, if you need to ... soak it again.

4. Drying

After the plunger is clean, flush the bowl again, and clean with your favorite toilet or all-purpose cleaner.


Let the plunger completely air dry by sandwiching it between your toilet seat.

Try a Eco Plunger With Replaceable Rubber Head for less cleaning!


An environmentally friendly toilet plunger with a replaceable rubber head and sanitary ceramic base filled with diatomaceous earth.

  • REPLACEABLE HEAD FOR LESS WASTE
    Our toilet plunger features a removable rubber head that can be replaced when needed, for less waste and more cleanliness. Designed with the planet in mind, it’s crafted from bamboo and recycled aluminum.
  • WITH BASE DESIGNED TO KEEP THINGS CLEAN
    When not in use, the plunger tucks neatly into a sleek ceramic base filled with diatomaceous earth — an all-natural rock that absorbs excess water to help prevent mold, bacteria, and odor from forming.

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