Traditional Toilet Brushes vs. Silicone Brushes: Which is More Hygienic?

Toilet brushes can harbor a lot of harmful bacteria depending on the material. Traditional brushes are typically made of a tough plastic, while silicone brushes are made of, well, silicone! We put traditional toilet brushes to the test in four key hygiene categories, read on to find out how well each material holds up.

 

Porosity

Silicone is non-porous, which makes it ideal for a toilet brush. Silicone is seeing increased use in the medical field for its anti-microbial properties – the lack of tiny holes and pores in the material makes it naturally resistant to picking up germs.

Standard toilet brushes use a porous nylon or polypropylene plastic in the bristles – these materials are porous. This means it holds onto oils, debris, and bacteria far more than silicone.

 

Verdict: Silicone Brushes

 

Drying speed

Another factor to consider is the drying speed of the material. Fast-drying materials like silicone are less likely to attract microbes than traditional toilet brushes that use other plastics. Silicon gives microbes less of a fighting chance!

 

Verdict: Silicone Brushes

 

Ease of cleaning

The smooth, easy to clean surface of silicone makes it easier to clean on a number of levels. Not only can it be more thoroughly cleaned thanks to the non-porosity, but there are also more options available to clean it. Silicone can be sterilised and even boiled; traditional toilet brushes can’t stand up to rigorous cleaning.

 

Verdict: Silicone Brushes

 

Durability

Durability plays a part in the hygiene of a toilet brush. Traditional plastic toilet brushes experience wear and tear at a much higher rate than silicone, which contributes to higher levels of porosity. This means traditional toilet brushes may harbor bacteria for longer periods of time.

 

Verdict: Silicone Brushes

 

Overall

At the end of the day, the winner is clear. Silicone toilet brushes beat traditional toilet brushes in every hygiene category, making them the most hygienic choice!

 

Verdict: Silicone Brushes

 

Shop the Push Brush today – a better cleaning solution is just a click away!