The Best Toilet Brush

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber
Published on
March 12th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Ben has over a decade of experience in cleaning projects of all types along the entire eastern seaboard of the United States. Ben’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician), WRT (Water restoration technician), CCT (Carpet Cleaning technician), as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Ben has managed teams involved in cleaning projects around the United States. Ben’s passion for cleaning and leading teams goes back as far as he can remember.

The Cleaning Institute

Toilet brushes are necessary to have in the home to maintain the cleanliness of each toilet in the bathrooms and to remove the buildup of different minerals. Toilet brushes should be easy to access and stored in a holder to prevent the spread of contamination or bacteria throughout the setting. Toilet brush holders are designed to hold toilet brushes and prevent them from having contact with the floor or other surfaces. It also prevents messes by containing any water that drips off of the bristles of the brush with each use.

We tested the top toilet brush holders to determine which product is the most useful and durable. Our top pick is the OXO Good Grips Hideaway Compact Toilet Brush for its sturdy construction and the canister that opens automatically when the brush is lifted each time. It even includes a canister drip tray with ventilation slots to ensure that water dries quickly after the brush is used each time. Our honorable mention is the InterDesign Aria Toilet Bowl Brush and Holder because it features a contemporary design with a polished chrome base that looks stylish and upscale. The product has a simple cover that allows the brush to be discrete when it’s stored.

Testing Categories

We created multiple testing categories to determine which toilet brush holders had the highest quality and convenience with frequent use. After testing products for 35 years, we’ve learned the importance of creating a few categories in rating each item. For toilet brush holders, our categories include design, durability, and application.

Design: The design of each toilet brush holder was evaluated to determine if it looked contemporary and modern. The materials that are used contributed to its design. The functionality of the design was also a contributing factor and determined if the product was easy to use.

Durability: The construction and materials that are used on each toilet brush holder are an additional factor that we reviewed to determine its level of durability and if it could withstand frequent use without wearing down. We evaluated how durable each toilet brush holder is and if it can hold up to long-term use without suffering from wear or rust.

Application: The application is an additional category that caused us to review how easy the product is to use, from taking the brush out of the holder to scrubbing the toilet bowl with the brush. We reviewed the results that were delivered with each product that was tested.

Top Pick

OXO Good Grips Hideaway Compact Toilet Brush

The OXO Good Grips Hideaway Compact Toilet Brush features a tapered brush head & sturdy blue bristles to ensure that the toilet bowl can be thoroughly deep cleaned, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

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Most notable upside: The OXO toilet brush holder is built with a canister door that opens automatically when the brush is picked up, which prevents having to touch the base at any time during the cleaning process. The shape of the brush handle offers a comfortable grip that makes it easy to hold tightly, especially if it becomes wet. The compact size of the product makes it easy to hide in the bathroom or under the sink to ensure that it’s not in plain sight. The drip-tray is extremely useful in preventing water from collecting with the use of ventilation holes that allow the moisture to dry to prevent mold or mildew from forming in the canister. The design of the holder prevents the brush from sitting in the water that collects in the tray. Consumers can select multiple color shades, which includes off-white, mint, gray, white, and black. The plastic material on the brush also prevents rust from forming over time. The clean and simplistic design of the toilet brush holder allows it to look contemporary and minimal without being an eyesore. The construction of the product is sleek and stylish. It’s also easy to brush under the rim of the toilet due to the shape of the bristles. The head is also removable, and the bristles of the brush are firm but aren’t too stiff.

Biggest downsides: The water can leak out of the basin through the ventilation slots, which can cause spillage on the floor and leads to messes. The bristles can also begin to fall off of the brush over time, which minimizes its effectiveness. Although the product is advertised as compact, it’s larger than similar toilet brush holders and may be challenging to store in small bathrooms or RVs. The plastic materials lack durability and are prone to cracking over time. The sticker that is included on the outside of the holder can be difficult to remove and is prone to leaving adhesive residue behind.

Honorable Mention

InterDesign Aria Toilet Bowl Brush and Holder

The InterDesign Aria Toilet Bowl Brush and Holder are built with a clear frost plastic bowl brush holder with a polished chrome base that looks sleek and upscale.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The toilet brush head is easy to replace or remove when cleaning. The simple cover is modern and compact but still keeps the brush hidden and discrete with only the holder visible from the top. The product measures 3.9 inches by 17 inches, which allows it to fit well in small spaces with its slimline design, which makes it easy to keep it out of sight. The surface of the holder is easy to keep clean without showing water spots that are visible on stainless steel toilet brush holders. The frosted material conceals any residue or spots that are present. It also upholds its appeal over time due to the quality and durable materials that are used to construct the holder. The toilet bowl brush holder also includes a toilet tissue reserve for spare rolls that are easy to access and are stored vertically. Up to three rolls of toilet paper can be stored with an unobtrusive product that is minimal and sleek. It can easily fit beside a toilet and next to the toilet brush holder.

Biggest downsides: The lid requires putting your finger in the hold to remove it, which can be unsanitary and also inconvenient. The chrome accent materials can begin to peel off over time, especially when having contact with moisture. The dimensions that are listed for the product are not accurate and the items are smaller than it’s advertised. Larger toilet rolls do not fit correctly in the canister of the toilet paper holder.

Green Pick

GOHIDE 1pc Bowl Clearing Brush

The GOHIDE 1pc Bowl Clearing Brush is constructed with a natural material and durable bristles. It’s both functional and easy to use when cleaning toilet bowls without too much elbow grease required.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The GOHIDE 1pc Bowl Clearing Brush is densely packed with bristles on a round head with natural coconut fiber bristles, which makes it an eco-friendly toilet brush to use for cleaning. It can even be used for scrubbing dishes, pots, and pans due to its versatility and ease of use. A convenient hole is added to the handle for hanging it up to make it easy to access or dry when not in use. The handle is durable and is constructed with natural wood with a lacquer finish that prevents it from becoming damaged when having contact with moisture. The ergonomic design fo the brush makes it comfortable and easy to grip. The product even includes a one-month warranty when providing a receipt within 15 dates of purchasing the toilet brush. The curve of the brush makes it easy to clean in hard-to-reach areas of the toilet bowl. Compared to similar products, it doesn’t scratch surfaces even though it’s extremely durable and abrasive. It’s also safe to use on non-stick surfaces for added versatility.

Biggest downsides: The fibers of the brush tend to shed, especially when tapping the brush as it drips. Over time, the bristles can thin out and make it difficult to clean thoroughly. The product does not include a holder, which can make it challenging to store once it has contact with bacteria.

All Our Picks

Tips for Effective Toilet Brush Cleaning

Toilet brushes and holders need to be cleaned periodically to prevent bacteria from growing or spreading with frequent use of the item. Begin by filling a bucket with hot water and adding two capfuls of bleach to kill germs that are on the surface. The toilet brush can soak in the water for up to an hour for proper sanitation. The brush should be thoroughly rinsed off in hot water before it’s placed back in the holder.

The toilet brush holder can be sanitized by spraying a disinfection product on the inside and outside of the item. It can also be soaked in bleached. Rinse it off with hot water and allow it to air dry or with the use of a clean rag or paper towel.

A Note About Safety and Storage

Toilet brush holders should be stored in an area of the home that is easy to access when cleaning toilets to ensure that it doesn’t have to be transported too far, which can lead to dripping the water from the brush. Consider placing it next to the toilet where it’s within reach. It should be stored away from cleaning products, toothbrushes, or toiletries to prevent spreading harmful bacteria or viruses. The toilet brush holder can also be stored under the sink where it’s not an eyesore. Place the product in an area that has proper ventilation to ensure that it can dry properly. Keep it out of reach of pets or small children due to the small parts that it contains and the bacteria that may be present on the parts.

The Best Toilet Brush

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

OXO Good Grips Hideaway Compact Toilet Brush

InterDesign Aria Toilet Bowl Brush and Holder

GOHIDE 1pc Bowl Clearing Brush

All Our Picks

OXO Good Grips Hideaway Compact Toilet Brush

InterDesign Aria Toilet Bowl Brush and Holder

GOHIDE 1pc Bowl Clearing Brush

Tips for Effective Toilet Brush Cleaning

A Note About Safety and Storage

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