How to Choose a Toilet Bowl Brush

A toilet bowl brush is necessary for cleaning your bathroom. But not every brush is created equal.

The right one can make your job of cleaning the toilet faster and easier—and even more fun.

The Clorox Toilet Wand uses disposable scrubbing sponges infused with cleaner and is an easy-to-use alternative to a traditional toilet brush. It’s also more hygienic than a regular brush, since you never touch the handle.

Bristles

Whether made of nylon, polyfiber or even silicone, toilet bowl brushes need to be durable and strong enough to do their jobs. Choose a brush with bristles that are designed to resist both stains and odors, as well as the damaging effects of cleaning products, like bleach. Bristle designs are also important: Look for a rounded head design that allows the bristles to get into the nooks and crannies of the rim and in corners that are difficult to reach.

A grippy, ergonomic handle is an essential feature of a good toilet brush; it helps you keep control during use and prevents splashing unwanted water around the bathroom. Choose a comfortable handle that’s easy to grip and long enough for you to reach all areas of your toilet without straining or needing to bend.

A holder that fully encases the brush head is another smart choice. It keeps your hands from touching the brush while keeping it hygienically sealed and smelling fresh. Consider a holder with a drip tray that can be easily wiped clean and a ventilation hole to help the brush dry faster. Many of the top-rated models have handles made of stainless steel, durable plastic or wood, which are also easy to clean and resist water damage. If you want to go the extra mile, opt for a biodegradable toilet brush that’s reusable and contains a bacteria-fighting BacLock antimicrobial agent.

Handle

The handle is a critical part of the toilet brush because it’s where you hold it to scrub your toilet. A good handle is thick and solid and fits comfortably in your hand while you’re cleaning. It’s also important to look for a handle that isn’t too short because it can prevent you from being able to reach all areas of the bowl when scrubbing.

Some handles are made from plastic and others are a combination of wood and metal. A household products supplier few of the top-rated toilet brushes have wooden or bamboo handles, and they are usually a little more expensive than those with plastic handles. However, these toilet brushes are typically more durable and are a great choice for high-traffic bathrooms in schools, hospitals, hotels and other large facilities.

Another type of handle is made from polypropylene, which is often described as the “steel of plastics” due to its increased strength. It’s designed to hold up to harsh chemicals and is resistant to mold, mildew, stains and corrosion. The handle’s clear panel lets you see how much Bathroom Cleaner is left in the base, and BacLock® inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria in the bristles and base.

Lastly, a few of the best toilet brushes feature a sleek, modern design that makes them more attractive than most. One example is the Fuller Brush Ultimate Bowl Brush, which has a slim bamboo handle and nestles nicely into its sleek holder. Its cylinder-shaped head reaches down into the trap and also has an added extension for getting up under the rim.

Storage

A dirty toilet brush harbors germs and can spread them throughout the bathroom if you don’t properly sanitize it before using. That’s why experts recommend sanitizing your brush and holder after each use, or at least weekly. And, according to Cotter, it’s best to let your toilet brush dry before returning it to its holder to prevent mold and mildew.

This stainless steel toilet brush and caddy combo from Polder is sleek, easy to maneuver and includes plastic bristles that clean well. Its container has an open back that lets the brush dry and can be turned towards the wall to hide the head out of sight. The handle also snaps together, making it easy to assemble and store. During our tests, the container was stable and didn’t fall over easily, but it did leak slightly when we used it to scrub a toilet.

This eco-friendly pick from Tushy has a sleek design that looks modern and elegant in your bathroom, but it’s on the pricey side. It comes with a set of eight replaceable cleaning pads that you press into the bottom of the brush to activate and scrub your toilet. The cleaning pads are infused with lemon and tea tree oil for a fresh scent, are septic-safe, and are biodegradable.

Cleaning

A dirty toilet brush can harbor bacteria and spread them to other surfaces in the bathroom if not sanitized. Make sure to clean and disinfect yours after every use and at least monthly.

A toilet bowl brush should be made of firm, high-count bristles that easily reach under the rim. A long handle helps keep your hands away from the bowl, and a sturdy holder that won’t tip over is also a plus. Look for a holder that allows the toilet brush to air dry between uses, which can help prevent mildew and odors.

We love this eco-minded option from Grove for its sleek bamboo and powder-coated steel handle that nestles neatly into a sturdy holder with upcycled coconut husk scrubbing pads. To assemble, simply snap the handle pieces together until they lock into place. To use, line the jaws of the handle with a pad, then toilet bowl brush immerse the brush in water and scrub. When the pad gets dirty, remove it and replace with a fresh one.

If you don’t have a brush and holder with ventilation, you can still sanitize your toilet brush using an all-purpose cleaner or bleach solution. Fill a bucket or sink with hot water and add the amount of cleaner or bleach recommended on the product label, then submerge your brush and holder and let them soak for an hour minimum.