How to Get Rid of Toilet Brush Holder Smell
A foul smell near the toilet often traces to the toilet brush and its holder, where dirty toilet water drips off the brush and pools in the caddy, breeding bacteria. Disinfect the brush, wash and dry the holder, and stop water from pooling, and the smell goes.
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 brush and caddy smell
After scrubbing, the wet brush goes back into the holder still dripping toilet water. That water collects in the bottom of the caddy and sits, growing bacteria, while the brush head holds residue of its own.
A closed caddy keeps it warm and damp, so the smell builds. Cleaning and drying both is what clears it.
How to clean it, step by step
- Rinse and disinfect the brush. Rinse it in the flush after use, then periodically soak the brush head in a bleach solution or run it under hot water with a disinfectant.
- Empty and wash the caddy. Dump the water, then wash the holder with hot soapy water and disinfectant, getting into the bottom.
- Dry both before storing. Let the brush drip-dry (wedge the handle under the seat so the head hangs over the bowl), and dry the caddy.
- Add a little disinfectant. A splash of diluted bleach or a pine cleaner in the base of the caddy between uses keeps bacteria down.
- Replace the brush periodically. Swap it every six months or so, or when the bristles fray.
Letting the brush dry before it goes back is the key. A brush stored dripping wet is what fills the caddy with dirty water, so drying it prevents most of the smell.
Keep it from coming back
Let the brush dry over the bowl before returning it to the caddy, and do not let water pool in the base.
Disinfect the brush and holder regularly, and replace the brush on schedule.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the dirty brush caddy 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, Do Not Disturb fits well. It is soft and warm, with pear, bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood, 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
Why does my toilet brush holder smell?
Dirty toilet water drips off the brush and pools in the caddy, growing bacteria. Empty and disinfect the holder and let the brush dry before storing it.
How do I dry the brush without making a mess?
Wedge the handle under the toilet seat so the brush head hangs over the bowl and drips into it, then return it to a dry caddy.
How often should I replace a toilet brush?
About every six months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed or it stays smelly after cleaning.
Should I put anything in the holder?
A little diluted bleach or disinfectant in the base between uses helps, as long as you still empty and wash it regularly.
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.
Shop our candles
