If you already have a toilet brush, it may be time to replace it. “The typical plastic brush can quickly accumulate germs and bacteria and typically need to be replaced twice a year,” says Ryan McKenzie, cleaning expert and co-founder of Tru-Earth. To find the best toilet brushes, we researched various brushes and considered factors like size, shape, features, and whether a caddy was included. If you are buying a toilet brush for the first time or just need to replace one, use this guide to purchase your next brush. For a compact, affordable, and attractive toilet brush that does the job at hand well, we picked the Oxo Good Grips Compact Toilet Brush and Canister as our top choice. Boasting a small footprint, it’s easy to store in nearly any bathroom, and the canister opens automatically, which makes for a no fuss process when using this brush. Here are the best toilet brushes. Keep in Mind: The canister will need cleaning, which can be a bit tricky with the automatic opening mechanism. The small footprint means this brush can fit in even the most minuscule bathroom. Made of plastic, the set comes with a brush and canister. To use, simply lift the brush up, and the canister opens and will stay open while you clean. Once the cleaning is finished, place the brush back in the canister. An internal drip tray features ventilation slots that allow any remaining water to evaporate. When not in use, the brush neatly stores in the canister with the bristles out of sight. The head of the brush is tapered, making it easy to get to hard-to-reach places. Made with lush plastic bristles, this pick is also quite easy to clean. If needed, the head is removable and can be unscrewed, but Oxo doesn’t sell head replacements without the shaft, so removing the head is just for cleaning purposes. The only drawback is the challenge of cleaning the caddy. Because of the automatic opening and closing clam-shell top of the caddy, it may be hard to reach all the way into the caddy for deep scrubbing. Price at time of publish: $18 Product Details: Material: Plastic | Shape: Tapered | Dimensions: 4.25 x 4 x 17 inches | Features: Hideaway canister that springs open when the brush is lifted | Caddy Included: Yes Keep in Mind: This brush is a basic option, with no frills, so may need to be replaced more often. The plastic rounded head easily fits into any toilet’s nooks and crannies. The bushy bristles are also made of plastic, so they are also easy to clean once you’re done scrubbing the toilet. Given this brush’s low price, you’ll get what you pay for—effective toilet brushes with simple storage. However, it may not last forever, which is a good reminder that toilet brushes should be replaced every six months. Price at time of publish: $5 Product Details: Material: Polypropylene | Shape: Rounded | Dimensions: 15 x 4.8 x 4.8 inches | Features: Brush and holder | Caddy Included: Yes Keep in Mind: A crescent-shaped brush may require a learning curve to get comfortable while cleaning the toilet. The outer bristles are stiffer than the inner bristles, so they can withstand tough scrubbing if you’ve got a stained toilet. The stainless steel rod is sturdy, and the set is available in either black or white. Easy to store, the dome-shaped caddy fully covers the brush, so it’s hygienic and out of sight. The magnetic collar of the caddy secures onto the brush rod, which helps keep the brush from falling over. The collar holds the brush above the base of the canister, so water can easily drip and dry, and also makes it secure to move in the event you need to wash the entire brush and caddy set. While the set is more expensive than others on our list, the brush head is easily removable and replacements are readily available, so you’ll minimize waste and additional expenses. Price at time of publish: $40 Product Details: Material: Stainless steel rod, plastic head | Shape: Crescent shape | Dimensions: 7.3 x 3.7 x 18.6 inches | Features: Crescent-shaped head, magnetic collar secures the caddy to the rod | Caddy Included: Yes Keep in Mind: You’ll need to assemble the shaft, but that means the length is adjustable. The plastic head features a rounded design with dense and firm bristles made of plastic. The rounded shape ensures the plastic bristles can get in hard-to-reach spots, and the stainless steel shaft is sturdy. We love that the compact caddy is an attractive addition to any bathroom. While some options may not drain drip water well, this caddy has a hollowed-out style that promotes airflow. Better airflow means the air dries the brush quickly and prevents any risk of nasty drip water pooling in the caddy. Price at time of publish: $10 Product Details: Material: Plastic and stainless steel | Shape: Tapered oval Dimensions: 4.1 x 3.3 x 16.5 inches | Features: Adjustable handle length, discreet storage | Caddy Included: Yes Keep in Mind: The branding on the caddy base may bother some. Silicone is also more gentle than traditional bristles—there’s no risk of shedding bristles or scratching delicate porcelain. Once you’re done cleaning the toilet, a silicone brush is extremely easy to clean. Simply rinse the brush under water to remove any debris, like hair, that gets caught in the bristles. When it’s time to store the brush, simply pop it into the vented caddy. Because of its narrow shape, this brush is a good addition to bathrooms with limited or awkward storage spaces. The base also comes with an adhesive sticker if you choose to attach it to the wall. Buyers should note, the caddy does have prominent branding on it, which may bother some. This set is available in four colorways: multicolor, rose gold, silver, and white. Price at time of publish: $15 Product Details: Material: Silicone and plastic | Shape: Flat | Dimensions: 4 x 2 x 16 inches Features: Silicone bristles and caddy | Caddy Included: Yes Keep in Mind: This set is more expensive than other brushes. To use, push the button toggle on the shaft to activate the claw gripper. Once activated, the steel grippers will securely hold the coconut husk pads. The husks are strong, durable, and their varied surface area can easily get into the cracks and crevices of the toilet. Each pad has been infused with lemon essence, tea tree oil, and other natural ingredients. By just immersing the pad in the toilet water and starting to scrub, the pad will get soapy and sudsy. Once the toilet bowl is clean, simply toss the coconut husk pad and store the shaft in the caddy. While more expensive than other picks on our list, it’s the best toilet brush for those looking for a disposable, yet eco-friendly option. Price at time of publish: $54 Product Details: Material: Steel, bamboo, coconut husk | Shape: Disc | Dimensions: 4 x 5 x 16 inches | Features: Sterile, eco-conscious single-use pads | Caddy Included: Yes Keep in Mind: It’s only available in two colors. The affordable set not only looks sleek and modern, but it’s also practical. The rubber plunger has an extended inner liner that can be pulled out to handle tough clogs and the rounded brush has nylon bristles that are effective for cleaning. Nylon is a super strong, durable, and flexible material that can easily bend into hard-to-reach spots in your toilet without shedding or breaking. Since the plunger rests directly on the caddy, make sure it is fully clean and dry after each use before storing. Price at time of publish: $27 Product Details: Material: Rubber and plastic | Shape: Rounded | Dimensions: 6.3 x 8.2 x 18.1 inches | Features: Heavy-duty plunger, brush, and caddy | Caddy Included: Yes Keep in Mind: It’s recommended to replace brush heads and stone discs every six months. What truly sets this toilet brush apart from the rest is the caddy. The body of the caddy is made of plastic, and the base includes a stand that is filled with a disc of diatomaceous earth, which is a natural rock with absorbent properties. The rock absorbs the excess water from the brush head and also resists mold and bacterial growth. It’s recommended that both the bush head and the stone be replaced every six months, or every four months if you use the toilet brush more frequently. Price at time of publish: $30 Product Details: Material: Recycled aluminum, recycled plastic, and diatomaceous earth | Shape: Rounded brush head | Dimensions: Not listed | Features: The stand is filled with natural rock that absorbs water | Caddy Included: Yes Keep in Mind: There’s no caddy, so the brush and three heads will need to be stored somewhere. The cordless, multi-purpose tool has an extendable handle that can reach up to 39 inches. A four piece set, this comes with three interchangeable, different-shaped brush heads and the scrubber body. While you’re free to see what works best for you, each head has a specific benefit: the cone shape is for deep, hard-to-reach spaces; the flat head is for smooth flat surfaces; the round is for bigger or curved surfaces like a tub. Either the cone or the round heads work well for toilet brushes. The cordless scrubber comes with a rechargeable battery, which lasts for about 30 minutes of cleaning time per charge. To use, simply attach your preferred brush head, add toilet bowl cleaner, and turn the scrubber on. Because of its versatility, the scrubber can be used on tile and even hard-to-reach air conditioning vents. If you do use one of the heads for your toilet, it’ll need to be thoroughly washed and disinfected. Additionally, the set doesn’t come with a caddy, so storage may be an issue—you’ll need room to keep this scrubber and the brush heads stored. Price at time of publish: $40 Product Details: Material: Metal | Shape: Cone, flat, and round brushes | Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 17 inches | Features: Cordless, extendable handle, three heads | Caddy Included: No Keep in Mind: The caddy leaves half the brush exposed, so you may want to rotate the brush side in when not in use. When it’s time to clean the toilet, simply push a button on the shaft, and the caddy folds out of the way, exposing the rounded plastic brush head. Once the toilet is completely clean, fold the caddy right back over the brush. Then, you can carry the brush to the sink to be cleaned without any fear of toilet water dripping on the floor. The caddy is designed with a spout to easily drain excess water and plenty of ventilation so any remaining moisture can easily evaporate. Because of the design, the caddy does leave half of the brush exposed. When not in use, you’ll want to rotate the brush side inward so you only see the smooth covered surface of the caddy. Price at time of publish: $26 Product Details: Material: Plastic | Shape: Rounded brush head | Dimensions: 5 x 4.5 x 22 inches | Features: Attached, ventilated caddy | Caddy Included: Yes Keep in Mind: It will require installation. Available in 10 colorways including pink, green, gray, white and a choice of bristle colors, this set has a silicone head. The brush is easy to use and thanks to the bendable silicone bristles, they are easy to clean. To store, the brush simply rests in the caddy and drips dry. This set also includes a pair of tweezers “hidden” in the handle, which may come in handy for cleaning the bristles. One flaw of a wall-mounted caddy is that it may require a bit more effort to clean the caddy. Unlike unmounted options that can be rinsed and dried in a sink, depending on where it’s placed in the bathroom this one could be a bit tricker to clean. Prior to mounting it on the wall, make sure the inside of the caddy is accessible to clean. Price at time of publish: $12 Product Details: Material: Silicone with metal handle | Shape: Cone-shaped | Dimensions: 4 x 5 x 17 inches | Features: Wall-mounted caddy, hidden tweezers | Caddy Included: Yes Keep in Mind: The deep ceramic caddy will likely require regular cleaning since it’s not ventilated. Coated in a sheer white glaze, hints of the natural clay peek out around the rim and indentations, making for a truly attractive brush caddy with stand out style. Vertical hand embossed lines texture the caddy, so it looks more like a vase than a bathroom accessory. While very attractive, the ceramic caddy is lacking ventilation. If not washed and dried well, any remaining drips, liquid, or debris on the brush may pool at the bottom of the caddy. Plan to hand wash the caddy out more frequently than a ventilated option. Price at time of publish: $25 Product Details: Material: Ceramic, steel, plastic | Shape: Rounded brush head | Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.9 x 9.8 inches | Features: Attractive ceramic caddy | Caddy Included: Yes
What to Know About Toilet Brushes Before Shopping
Material
From typical plastic and silicone to non-traditional coconut husks, there’s a wide range of materials on the market. Each has benefits and drawbacks, so choose what works best for your cleaning style. No matter the material, a toilet brush should be easy to clean, especially between the bristles. Silicone bristles are often easier to clean but choose the look and style you prefer. McKenzie echoes this sentiment, “You can also make your toilet brush last longer by cleaning it after every use or every time you clean your bathroom.”
Shape
There’s a wide range of shapes and most will be effective at cleaning your toilet bowl. Use your personal preference to find the right shape to fit your cleaning method. Bigger rounded shapes are good for quick swipes around the bowl while smaller, more angular shapes are best for reaching under the rim or down deep into the toilet.
Dimensions
Some brush caddies have very small footprints while others take up more room. Measure the space in your bathroom prior to purchase to ensure the brush fits in your space and won’t get in the way or get knocked over. Make sure the toilet brush you purchase is long enough to fit in your toilet bowl.
Features
While not necessary, additional features are convenient to have. Some features include extra cleaning utensils, wall mounting accessories, ventilated caddies, or even a toilet plunger. Before purchasing a toilet brush, consider what exactly you are looking for in a toilet brush and whether you will find the extra features useful or not.
Caddy Included
Many toilet brushes come with a caddy for storage, but others don’t. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it just means you will either have to find somewhere in your bathroom or home to store your toilet brush when it’s not in use. If you don’t have the space to do that, you purchase a toilet brush caddy separately.
Your Questions, Answered
Does a silicone toilet brush clean well?
McKenzie says that “silicone brushes are effective.” However, he reminds consumers, “they typically need to be replaced regularly, which can be wasteful.” The benefits of a silicone brush is that they are very sturdy, there’s little risk of the bristles coming off the brush or damaging a fragile toilet, and it’s easy to quickly wash out any debris that gets lodged within the bristles. The flexible nature of silicone means the brush can get into tight spots or hard to reach angles. With regular cleaning after each use, you’ll extend the life of your silicone brush.
How big should a toilet brush be?
Look for a toilet brush that is long enough to reach inside the toilet while still having enough leverage on the shaft that you can apply some strength to scrub well. “From the tip of the handle to the end of the bristles, you should find brushes that are at least a foot long,” McKenzie says. “My ideal length is 14-16 inches.” Long handles help you keep your distance while short handles are better for focused and strong scrubbing.
What shapes do toilet brushes come in?
From rounded, D-shaped, disc, or other shapes, there’s a wide range of brush shapes on the market. Smaller, more flexible shapes are better at cleaning up inside the rim of the toilet while bigger rounded shapes are good for the quick swipe around the bowl. Flatter shapes are usually bendable and can get down deeper into the bowl of the toilet. Along with the various shapes, consider the materials of the brush and shaft. Some are more flexible and others more rigid, each with their own benefits. No matter the shape you select, make sure you properly clean the brush after each use to extend its life and keep germs at bay.
Who We Are
This article was written by Maya Polton, an experienced freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens who has written for a wide variety of publications. In looking at toilet brushes, she searched for products and brands that offer a variety of styles and sizes, affordable prices, and long-lasting materials. She also spoke with Ryan McKenzie, co-founder of the eco-friendly cleaning brand Tru Earth for advice.
