When Toothbrushes Don't Fit in the Holders

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

24 Jun 2008 04:01 PM

One thing in our house that drives me absolutely batty is the fact that our built in toothbrush holders are absolutely useless. These holder that are cemented in the wall as part of the design of the bathrooms, even matching the tile, have the standard holes for toothbrushes, up to six. But none of our toothbrushes will actually fit in those holes.

The standard toothbrush holders (which are still being manufactured today) were designed back when all toothbrushes were pretty much created equally. Toothbrushes were slim Popsicle sticks that came in either red or blue, and sometimes even pink or yellow if you wanted to go exotic. Even in the mid-century explosion of modern convenience, TV dinners and the space race, toothbrushes remained stable, comforting, even nobel.

Then came the invention of the different types of bristles: soft, medium or hard, and suddenly we had to make choices in our toothbrushes. Of course, those were the good old days.

Today, modern toothbrushes are to older toothbrushes as the Model T is to the Space Shuttle. Toothbrushes now come in all kinds of space-age shapes, from handles to bristles. Curves, grips and ridges, all justify spending $6 to $8 on a brush that has to be replaced every three months. Things spin, things vibrate, things shimmy, and things have timers. By things, I mean of course toothbrushes. In the kids bathroom of my house reclines two battery powered spinning wonders: a chunky molded toothbrush with a Barbie shaped handle, another that has Spiderman climbing up the handle in an effort to battle tooth decay. The baby's brush is a rubbery thing that fits over a finger. In fact, it was probably invented when a librarian decided to brush their baby's teeth with one of those rubber finger things that help to keep your finger from sticking when you turn the pages of a book.

In the adult bathroom reclines my husband's masculine double gripper x-5000 turbo plaque-master for sensitive gums and my own new electric toothbrush complete with docking station and a bevy of interchangeable heads, one of which scares me every time I turn on the light. It is this weird probing kind of pointy thing.

None of these will remotely fit into any of the toothbrush holders. Inevitably, the toothbrushes get knocked to the floor at least three times a week. Ah well, at least I can perch the antibacterial soap on top of the old soap dish.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don't miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

Related Articles:

Make Your Own Toothpaste

Bathroom Luxuries

Three Global Designs for Baths

Keeping Baby Teeth

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Tashi (1013) 24 Jun 2008 04:44 PM

I heard that storing toothbrushes out in the open isn't good; when one flushes the toilet, germs you can't see float out and into the room, especially close to the commode, finding a home, among other places, on toothbrushes. Somewhere, there was a study done, which detailed what happens. I prefer to tuck my brush in a plastic holder and away in a closed cabinet.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 25 Jun 2008 03:41 AM

I think I saw something about that on MythBusters, but I can't remember the outcome.

Sherry Holetzky (11404) 25 Jun 2008 09:48 AM

I understand your frustration, Mary Ann. You'd think the toothbrush holder makers would catch on... This is how great inventions are made. Someone will invent/market a new style of toothbrush holder that works and make a lot of money.

Hmm... where's the patent info I've been researching? LOL

Tashi, there are different studies and they all seem to say something different. However, there is evidence that toilet aerosol can travel several feet. Since many bathroom sinks are quite near the toilet, so are many toothbrush holders and toothbrushes...

http://home.families.com/blog/toilets-the-aerosol-effect

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 25 Jun 2008 01:07 PM

Fortunately, at least in the kids bathroom, the sink is located far from the toilet, and there is a wall between.

Tashi (1013) 26 Jun 2008 04:32 PM

I do often spray Lysol around the toilet after flushing. But my toothbrush is tucked far away from the commode. Myth or not, I'm not taking any chances.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 27 Jun 2008 04:23 AM

Just don't breath all of that Lysol either!

Tashi (1013) 29 Jun 2008 07:36 AM

Nah, I'm careful. I don't spray like a crazy woman. :-) A few sparing sprays and it's all good. I shut the door for a while afterwards as well.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 30 Jun 2008 10:07 AM

Putting the seat down would probably help with any "mist" from the toilet.