I’m starting to wonder if I’m the only one who’s kinda lazy about cleaning their electric toothbrush. I rinse it, but sometimes there’s gunk around the base (ew). Do you guys have tricks for keeping it clean or making it last longer?
You’re definitely not the only one. I used to just rinse mine too, but after a while, the build-up around the base got pretty gross. What’s worked for me is a quick routine: every few days, I take the brush head off and wipe down the handle and base with a damp cloth (sometimes use an old toothbrush to get into crevices). I also soak the head in diluted mouthwash or vinegar once a week—cheap and seems to keep it fresher. Not perfect, but it’s lasted way longer without that weird gunk.
That gunk at the base is the worst. I used to just rinse mine too, thinking it was enough, but after a while the bottom of my brush looked like it belonged in a science experiment. I’ve found that unscrewing the head every few days and letting both parts air dry separately helps a ton. Even with regular cleaning, moisture just gets trapped in there.
I haven’t tried soaking the head in mouthwash, but I do use a mix of water and baking soda every couple weeks—mostly because I’m paranoid about bacteria. Vinegar works well too, but sometimes I worry about lingering taste. The old toothbrush trick for the crevices is golden; never would’ve thought of that until a hygienist mentioned it.
Honestly, I think the main thing is just not letting water sit at the bottom. Those little steps make a bigger difference than I expected. Electric brushes aren’t cheap, so keeping them clean feels worth the extra minute or two.
