How to Clean a Smelly Toothbrush Holder
A slimy pink film or musty smell at the bottom of the toothbrush holder comes from stagnant water that drips off your brushes and pools in the base, growing bacteria. Wash it out, dry it, and keep water from pooling, and it clears.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why the holder gets slimy
Water and toothpaste drip down off wet brushes and collect in the bottom of the holder, where they sit undisturbed. That stagnant water grows bacteria and the pink film you often see.
The narrow compartments trap the slime where a quick rinse never reaches. Cleaning into those crevices is what clears it.
How to clean it, step by step
- Empty and rinse. Dump out any water and gunk from the base.
- Wash it hot. Clean it with hot soapy water, using a bottle brush or pipe cleaner to get into the narrow slots where slime hides.
- Disinfect. Soak it in a vinegar-and-water solution or a diluted bleach solution, or run it through the dishwasher if it is safe, then rinse.
- Dry it. Dry the holder fully before you put the brushes back.
- Clean it weekly. A quick wash and dry each week keeps the slime from returning.
Keeping water from pooling is the real fix. A holder that stays dry between uses does not grow the pink film in the first place.
Keep it from coming back
Shake the water off your brushes before storing them, and let the brushes dry rather than sealing them wet in a cup.
Wash the holder weekly and empty any water that collects in the base.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the slimy holder handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your bathroom, Out of Office fits well. It is light and tropical, with spearmint, pineapple, and coconut, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pink slime in my toothbrush holder?
A common airborne bacteria that thrives on the moisture and toothpaste residue in the base. Scrub it out and keep the holder dry.
How often should I clean the holder?
About once a week, and any time you see water or slime collecting in the bottom.
Can I put it in the dishwasher?
Many holders are dishwasher-safe on the top rack, which is an easy way to sanitize it. Check that it is dishwasher-safe first.
How do I keep it from getting slimy?
Shake brushes off before storing, let them dry, and empty and dry the base regularly so water never sits.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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