2 odd bathroom questions...

[Nate]

Apologies for a rather unsavory topic, but these things have been bugging me and it occurred to me that someone might have some decent ideas.

So, our toilet brush needs replacing, and it got me wondering--has anyone found a toilet brush that really does a decent job getting under the rim? Ours just doesn't seem to be shaped the right way, and neither do others I often see.

And (even more in the "ewww" category): what do you do with your plunger when it's not in use? For practical reasons, we need to keep it in the bathroom--but I've never known how to minimize the gross factor. If I need to use it, I generally let it dry in the trash, but then that means that when I *do* need it, there's often stuff like tissues stuck to it, so I need to take them off b/f I can use the thing. I've seen people rest it on/in a plastic bag, but that seems really messy. Other thoughts?

[~PurityLake~]

I never had a problem with my toilet brush.

As for the plunger... (and the brush for that matter) I have an empty soap bucket (costco purchase originally) that is just the right size but not too large that I saved. I keep the plunger and the brush inside that small bucket on the floor inside my bathroom closet.

My mother has an extra trash can she keeps in her tiny bathroom to hold the plunger. She keeps a plastic grocery bag inside the can as a liner because my mom is a super duper huge germaphobe.

[SuzyLee]

I keep the plunger under the cabinet in the guest bathroom (nothing else is being stored under there so no ick factor). My mom has a plunger that came with a cover thingy- sort of like how some toilet brushed come in a little stand that covers them up, kwim? It is pretty nifty. She just sits it behind her toilet, and since it is covered, it isn't bad. But that wouldn't fly in my house because I have a toddler her likes to investigate the bathroom. I need stuff locked up!

[jocelyndale]

We always swish the plunger well in the unblocked/clean toilet, then rinse it off in the tub. Let it stand to dry in the tub, then place back behind the toilet.

We keep the bathroom door shut. The toddler thinks the plunger is the neatest toy ever.

[Purple*Lotus]

Originally Posted by jocelyndale

We always swish the plunger well in the unblocked/clean toilet, then rinse it off in the tub. Let it stand to dry in the tub, then place back behind the toilet.

This is what I do as well, only I toss in some vinegar in the unclogged toilet for extra germ killing.

[Peppermint Leaf]

when we are finished with it we put it in a plastic bag -- I take it to the laundry room and rinse it in the sink there. Our garage is next to the laundry room and thats where I leave it.

the toilet bowl brush is also rinsed in the laundry room sink - but then is put back in the bathroom.

[kirstenb]

Originally Posted by jocelyndale

We always swish the plunger well in the unblocked/clean toilet, then rinse it off in the tub. Let it stand to dry in the tub, then place back behind the toilet.

We keep the bathroom door shut. The toddler thinks the plunger is the neatest toy ever.

Same here. And I also have a toddler who seems to love toilet brushes and plungers.

[Buddhamom]

I use a rag or sponge to scrub my toilet so I know it was completely clean and then throw it in a hot wash in the washer with other rags. As for the plunger, we either keep it outsie in the shed or in the basement on the utility side far away from other things.

[Nate]

Luckily, my 5-yo isn't so into finding new toys in the bathroom, so that's one thing I don't have to worry about.

I neglected to mention that our bathroom is TINY, and we only have one, and the sink is probably the one that came w/ the house (80 yrs ago), and has no cabinet underneath. So I can't stow it in the cabinet, unfortunately. And the toilet backs up just often enough that we need to have the plunger in there. :

But I like the idea of a second, small trash can for it, and I think we'll try that.

re: the brush, I'd love to be able to get away w/ just using rags, but we have really hard water and get a lot of lime build-up, so need something to deal w/ that. The brush we have, though, is one of those Target designer ones, which looks nice enough, except that the brush itself is totally round and doesn't get the corners & stuff well enough. I can always go get a new cheap one, but wondered if anyone had found one that they swear by.