Well, this is embarrassing...but let's use it. :) Today's kitchen deep clean sparked the resolve to address all of the toothbrushes saved for cleaning...but really piling up to levels that cleaning can not justify. Above is one year's worth of toothbrushes for our family of four.
Seeing the bulk of these little tools all together + knowing that we are only one family out of so, so, so many families using toothbrushes around the world makes an impression. Just think about how many toothbrushes are thrown away every year! I look forward to the day when we can compost toothbrush bristles as well as the handles...but even now, compostable handles make a real, significant difference!
Tip :: After wrenching the bristles out of these toothbrushes, I have two visible blisters + an aching arm. I can't believe that it has taken me so many years to realize this, but here's something I realized ten toothbrushes in. Soak the bristle end of the toothbrushes in a cup of water to soften join, and the bristles will come out much easier. This thought came from the knowledge that a bamboo toothbrush that is not allowed to dry properly is more likely to shed bristles with brushing.
Certain brands of bamboo toothbrushes shed more than others. Brush with Bamboo toothbrushes shed the least for us. Recently our grocery store started carrying two other brands of bamboo toothbrushes. I bought a set there to avoid packaging + mailing waste. The first brand left me with a mouth full of bristles with almost every brush, but has held up well for the others. The second brand I tried has shed two bristles, but I like the smaller head size + encouraging message. :)
Now I'm off to see how many more bristles my body can pull...yup, there are more.
Love,
Jane
Seeing the bulk of these little tools all together + knowing that we are only one family out of so, so, so many families using toothbrushes around the world makes an impression. Just think about how many toothbrushes are thrown away every year! I look forward to the day when we can compost toothbrush bristles as well as the handles...but even now, compostable handles make a real, significant difference!
Tip :: After wrenching the bristles out of these toothbrushes, I have two visible blisters + an aching arm. I can't believe that it has taken me so many years to realize this, but here's something I realized ten toothbrushes in. Soak the bristle end of the toothbrushes in a cup of water to soften join, and the bristles will come out much easier. This thought came from the knowledge that a bamboo toothbrush that is not allowed to dry properly is more likely to shed bristles with brushing.
Certain brands of bamboo toothbrushes shed more than others. Brush with Bamboo toothbrushes shed the least for us. Recently our grocery store started carrying two other brands of bamboo toothbrushes. I bought a set there to avoid packaging + mailing waste. The first brand left me with a mouth full of bristles with almost every brush, but has held up well for the others. The second brand I tried has shed two bristles, but I like the smaller head size + encouraging message. :)
Now I'm off to see how many more bristles my body can pull...yup, there are more.
Love,
Jane
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