Are bamboo toothbrushes hygienic? Let’s clear this up

You've made the switch to a bamboo toothbrush.

Very good. Teeth are clean. Life continues.

Then a few days later you look at the bamboo handle sitting beside the sink and think:

Hang on. Wood + water. Is this actually hygienic?

Fair question.

The short answer is yes, bamboo toothbrushes can be perfectly hygienic when they're stored properly.

The slightly longer answer is that bamboo is a natural material, so it doesn't particularly enjoy spending its life sitting in a puddle.

Luckily, caring for one isn't complicated. You don't need to sun-dry it on the windowsill, sterilise it after every use or whisper encouraging words to the bamboo.

You mostly just need to let it dry.

Myth 1: Bamboo toothbrushes aren't as hygienic as plastic toothbrushes

Not true.

The handle material isn't what determines whether your toothbrush stays clean.

What matters much more is what happens to it after you brush.

A toothbrush that's rinsed and allowed to dry properly is very different from one that's left wet in the bottom of a cup with three other toothbrushes leaning against it.

That applies whether the handle is bamboo or plastic.

The difference is that bamboo is a natural material, so good drying and storage matter a little more.

 

Myth 2: You need to do something special to clean a bamboo toothbrush

Nope.

After brushing, give the bristles a good rinse under running water to remove toothpaste and anything else they've collected.

Give the brush a shake to remove excess water.

Then store it upright somewhere it can air dry.

That's about as complicated as it needs to get.

No soaking. No boiling. No dishwasher.

Please don't put your toothbrush in the dishwasher.

We shouldn't have to say that, but parenting has taught us never to underestimate what people will put in a dishwasher.

Myth 3: Bamboo toothbrushes always go mouldy

This is probably the big one.

Do bamboo toothbrushes go mouldy?

They can develop mould if they're continually left damp, but mould isn't something that should automatically happen to a bamboo toothbrush. Inherently bamboo is an antibacterial material.

The easiest way to help prevent it is to stop water hanging around the handle.

After brushing:

1. Rinse the bristles well.
2. Shake off excess water.
3. Store the toothbrush upright.
4. Let air circulate around it.
5. Don't leave the bottom of the handle sitting in water.

That's it.

If you use a toothbrush cup, have a quick look inside occasionally.

If there's water collecting at the bottom, tip it out.

Groundbreaking stuff, we know.

Myth 4: A closed travel case keeps your toothbrush cleaner

Not necessarily.

Putting a wet toothbrush straight into a sealed travel case can trap moisture around it.

If you're travelling, let your toothbrush dry before packing it away whenever possible.

If that's not practical because you're brushing your teeth while everyone else is already standing at the hotel door with the bags (very specific, very common), shake off as much water as you can and take it out of the case to dry when you arrive.

The case is handy for keeping it protected in your bag.

It doesn't need to become its permanent home.

Myth 5: Bamboo toothbrushes need to be stored away from the bathroom

You don't need to relocate the family toothbrushes to the kitchen.

A normal bathroom is fine.

The important bit is airflow.

A toothbrush holder that lets the brush stand upright and dry is better than laying a wet brush flat on the vanity or keeping it inside a closed container.

And try not to let everyone's toothbrush heads touch each other.

They've already shared enough germs at school.

So, what's the best way to dry a bamboo toothbrush?

If you've landed here because you searched how to dry a bamboo toothbrush, here's the very unexciting answer:

Shake it. Stand it up. Let it air dry.

You don't need to wipe it dry after every use.

You don't need a special bamboo toothbrush holder.

You don't need to put it in direct sunlight.

Just give it enough air to dry naturally between brushes.

Simple usually wins.

What about the bristles?

Our handles are bamboo, but the bristles are nylon, because the alternative is animal hair and I'd rather not. We'd rather be straight with you than greenwash it.

For kids, we use soft bristles. Our adult brushes are available in soft or medium.

The bamboo handle is compostable once the bristles have been removed, and the toothbrushes come in plastic-free packaging.

So no, the whole toothbrush isn't compostable.

But it is one easy way to replace a plastic handle you're already buying anyway.

Shop Our bamboo toothbrush range here

What if you actually spot mould?

Don't try to scrub it off and keep using the brush.

If you notice mould, discolouration that looks suspicious, an odd smell, or the bamboo has started deteriorating, replace the toothbrush.

Then have a look at where it was being stored.

Is water pooling in the holder?

Is the handle sitting against a wet surface?

Is it being put into a closed container while damp?

Fixing the storage usually fixes the problem with the next brush.

Bamboo toothbrush care, without making it another job

Here's the bit worth remembering:

Rinse it. Shake it. Stand it somewhere dry.

You already have enough things to remember.

A bamboo toothbrush doesn't need a care routine worthy of a houseplant.

Treat it like a toothbrush, don't leave it soaking wet, and replace it when it's worn or damaged.

That's all.

And when you do need a new one, choosing another bamboo handle means one less plastic toothbrush handle heading into the bin.

A little less plastic. A little more Boo.