If you're looking to take the plunge in buying a bamboo toothbrush, you likely have some questions. What's the difference between bamboo and traditional plastic, where does the material come from? Are they more sustainable? But, one of the most common questions that we see, that we thought needed some further exploration, is: How long do bamboo toothbrushes last?
Let's take a look at what goes into the care of these special brushes and why they're worth having around.
Proper Care of Bamboo Toothbrushes
While they're designed to last just as long as their plastic counterparts, bamboo toothbrushes do require a bit of extra care. You'll want to preserve the handle by storing it in a dry place. Because they are compostable, they will wear down with constant exposure to water. The same goes for humidity, so if you live in a humid climate, be sure to store it where it's not exposed to the elements. A good holder that lets the water run off between uses is essential.
For added protection, you can also buy a cover for the toothbrush to ensure it doesn't accidentally fall into the water or lay in moisture between uses.
For Standard Use
When it comes to standard use — that is, for actually brushing your teeth — you can get just about the same amount of time out of a bamboo toothbrush — about 3 months. For some people, especially those who brush their teeth vigorously, the time frame may be shorter. While the bristles may last longer, due to bacterial concerns, it's a good idea to adhere to the time frame rather than hold onto your brush for longer. Additionally, you should also toss it earlier if you've used it while sick, to avoid reinfection. This is shelf life also holds true for Charcoal Toothbrushes.
It all depends on whether you use the proper type of bristles and how well you care for your brush.
Other Purposes
Once the life of your toothbrush has reached its end, as long as the bristles are in decent condition — that is, not too frayed — you can continue to use it for other purposes. They make an excellent cleaning tool for crevices and for spaces that are hard to reach into with traditional cleaning sponges or rags. They also work well for gently scrubbing stains out of clothing or even cleaning shower grout. Before you do this, though, you'll want to sanitize the toothbrush.
If you have no desire to use it as a cleaning tool, the bamboo handle can also be upcycled and included as part of your garden. For example, they make stylish garden markers — simply write the plant name on the handle and stick it beside the buried seeds.
How to Extend the Life of a Bamboo Toothbrush
You can extend the life of a bamboo toothbrush through sanitizing. For this, simply place it in boiling water for between 3 and 5 minutes. Then the bristles are ready to use. Please note, that this should not be done for reusing on teeth, but rather for other purposes mentioned above. You never want to sanitize a toothbrush and reuse it. It's better to start with a fresh one.
While the toothbrush is recommended for 3 months for its standard purposes, you can certainly keep it around another few months to get more bang for your buck. The handles are compostable and reusable in so many ways that you'll be giddy thinking of how you can use it next, rather than tossing a plastic stick in the trash. Need more reason why you should switch to a Bamboo Toothbrush, jump over to our News section.
