Domakihub Keep Your Toilet Brush Hygienic and Odour-Free
A step-by-step method to disinfect the brush and holder so your bathroom stays genuinely clean.
Reviewed by Domakihub cleaning pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
A toilet brush is one of the hardest-working tools in any home, holiday rental, or hotel bathroom — yet it is also one of the most overlooked items when it comes to cleaning. The video above walks through the full process visually, while this guide breaks it into clear, repeatable steps. Whether you are managing a single apartment in Athens or a portfolio of villas in Crete, this routine takes less than ten minutes and keeps the brush genuinely hygienic rather than just rinsed.
Why a Dirty Brush Defeats the Purpose of Cleaning
A toilet brush that has never been disinfected harbours the same bacteria it was meant to remove. Each subsequent use simply spreads contamination around the bowl rather than eliminating it. In warm Greek climates this problem accelerates — moisture and heat inside a closed holder create an ideal environment for mould and unpleasant odours to develop within days.
For property managers running holiday rentals or serviced apartments, a visibly dirty brush is an instant negative review trigger. Regular cleaning of the brush and holder is therefore both a hygiene necessity and a hospitality standard.
What You Will Need
You need very few supplies: a disinfectant toilet cleaner or a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to ten parts water), rubber gloves, and optionally a small amount of washing-up liquid. A second old toilet brush or a dedicated scrubbing tool for the holder interior is helpful but not essential. Everything listed is available at any supermarket or pharmacy across Greece.
How to Clean a Toilet Brush and Holder
- 1
Rinse the brush immediately after use
After scrubbing the toilet bowl, hold the brush over the bowl and flush so that the clean water rinses the bristles. This removes the bulk of debris before it dries onto the fibres, which makes the deeper cleaning step far easier and keeps the holder from accumulating residue.
- 2
Soak the brush in a disinfectant solution
Prepare a mixture of diluted bleach or a concentrated disinfectant toilet cleaner in the toilet bowl itself — add roughly half a cup of bleach and enough water to submerge the brush head. Place the brush so that the handle rests across the rim, keeping the head fully immersed, and leave it to soak for at least 15 to 20 minutes. This contact time is what actually kills bacteria rather than just shifting them.
- 3
Scrub the bristles and air-dry before replacing
After soaking, agitate the bristles a few times against the sides of the bowl, then rinse by flushing once more. Prop the brush handle between the toilet seat and the bowl rim so it hangs over the bowl, and allow it to drip-dry completely before returning it to the holder. Putting a wet brush back into a closed holder immediately is the main reason holders develop odours.
- 4
Clean the holder inside and out
Pour a small amount of the bleach solution or an all-purpose bathroom disinfectant spray directly into the holder and let it sit for five minutes. Swirl it around to coat the interior walls, then pour the liquid away and rinse the holder under the tap or with a jug of clean water. Wipe the outside of the holder with a disinfectant cloth, paying attention to the rim and base where drips collect.
- 5
Set a cleaning schedule and replace the brush when due
For a private home, clean the brush and holder once a week alongside the toilet itself. For holiday rentals and hotel rooms, disinfect between every guest changeover. Even with perfect maintenance, replace the brush every three to six months — once the bristles splay, lose colour, or cannot be fully dried between uses, the brush is no longer effective regardless of how often it is cleaned.
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FAQ
- Can I use white vinegar instead of bleach to clean the brush?
- White vinegar will neutralise some odours and has mild antibacterial properties, but it does not disinfect to the same standard as bleach or a dedicated bathroom disinfectant. For a private home with healthy occupants it is a reasonable natural option. For rental properties and hotels where you have no information about guests' health, a proper disinfectant or diluted bleach solution is the safer choice.
- How do I get rid of the smell from a plastic brush holder?
- The smell almost always comes from stagnant water and bacterial biofilm inside the holder. Empty it completely, soak the interior with undiluted white vinegar or a bleach solution for ten minutes, scrub with an old toothbrush if needed, rinse thoroughly, and allow it to dry in the open air before replacing the brush. If the odour persists, the holder has likely developed permanent bacterial contamination and should be replaced — holders are inexpensive and replacing them is easier than repeatedly treating them.
- Is it better to use a silicone brush or a traditional bristle brush?
- Silicone brushes are easier to keep clean because the smooth tines do not trap debris and dry faster than fibre bristles. They are a practical upgrade for holiday rentals and hotels where turnover is high. The trade-off is that silicone does not always scrub mineral deposits and limescale as effectively as stiff bristles, which matters in areas of Greece with hard water. A high-quality bristle brush cleaned on a strict schedule remains perfectly hygienic and effective for most households.