Sanitizing Toothbrush?

[muppet729]

My 2yo loves to brush her teeth, but she seems to drop her toothbrush on the floor a lot. Any easy way to sanitize it so that I don't have to keep buying new ones?

[flowers]

We sanitize once a week or so by soaking all our toothbrushes in a cup of water with a few drops of tto.

[veganone]

I run DD's through the dishwasher pretty frequently. It's held up fine so far.

[Drummer's Wife]

I also throw them in the dishwasher, but certainly not every time someone drops them on the floor. I'd say once a month or so.

[luv2bamommy2]

Originally Posted by muppet729

My 2yo loves to brush her teeth, but she seems to drop her toothbrush on the floor a lot. Any easy way to sanitize it so that I don't have to keep buying new ones?

Dr. Ellie [ www.zellies.com ] says to dip the bristles into Listerine, then rinse with hot water and air dry. That's what I do.

[dinahx]

I was using Hydrogen Peroxide between uses for a while. I read that toothbrushes are a magnet for germs anyway, and if they are not sterilized between uses, are just like brushing with germs.

[Amylcd]

Originally Posted by luv2bamommy2

Dr. Ellie [ www.zellies.com ] says to dip the bristles into Listerine, then rinse with hot water and air dry. That's what I do.

This is what we do also.

[muppet729]

Awesome! Thanks for all the replies- it gives me a lot to work with

[BaBaBa]

I'll spray it with alcohol if it's been somewhere really gross but most of us are resistant to the regular germs in our house.

[Nan'sMom]

Originally Posted by veganone

I run DD's through the dishwasher pretty frequently. It's held up fine so far.

I read this isn't a good idea because the stuff in dishwasher soap isn't good for you. Not sure what I think because I do use it for my dishes....

We do Listerine sometimes but mostly rinse in hot water, shake out water vigorously and air-dry outside the bathroom (near a heat vent). I'm not too fussed about them falling on the floor, just about mouth bacteria multiplying in a warm, wet environment.

[veganone]

Originally Posted by Nan'sMom

I read this isn't a good idea because the stuff in dishwasher soap isn't good for you. Not sure what I think because I do use it for my dishes....

We use 7th Generation dishwasher soap, so I'm not worried. If I were I wouldn't use the dishes from the dishwasher either...

[flowers]

Originally Posted by veganone

We use 7th Generation dishwasher soap, so I'm not worried. If I were I wouldn't use the dishes from the dishwasher either...

I'm still not sure I would do this. I was just at a HOlistic Mom's meeting and a green cleaning expert came in and said she still wouldn't use the 7 th gen stuff. I guess it's really hard to make dishwasher detergent really non-toxic. Plus, plates and cups can rinse clean, but I'm feeling like a brush would hold residue, kwim?

[Nan'sMom]

Originally Posted by flowers

I'm still not sure I would do this. I was just at a HOlistic Mom's meeting and a green cleaning expert came in and said she still wouldn't use the 7 th gen stuff. I guess it's really hard to make dishwasher detergent really non-toxic. Plus, plates and cups can rinse clean, but I'm feeling like a brush would hold residue, kwim?

Sorry to be OT but what type of d/w detergent do you use? I like the 7th Gen stuff but have reservations about the company. The Ecover stuff seems to leave a perfume-y smell.

[flowers]

Originally Posted by Nan'sMom

Sorry to be OT but what type of d/w detergent do you use? I like the 7th Gen stuff but have reservations about the company. The Ecover stuff seems to leave a perfume-y smell.

In all honesty we stopped using our dishwasher. It wasn't working well with the "natural" cleaners and it just seemed like I was having to wash everything after or before running it through the machine so I just cut the extra step of the machine! Until we remodel we are using it as extra storage for tupperware.

[Nan'sMom]

Originally Posted by flowers

In all honesty we stopped using our dishwasher. It wasn't working well with the "natural" cleaners and it just seemed like I was having to wash everything after or before running it through the machine so I just cut the extra step of the machine! Until we remodel we are using it as extra storage for tupperware.

Thanks! Yeah, the stuff that works best seems to be the stuff with the harsh chemicals, except that then I don't want to eat off the dishes! I have to pre-wash too with the natural stuff we use but I find it worth it to rinse/sterilize it, especially as I often have a wiggly baby in one arm.