It's recommended that you break out a new toothbrush every 3 months or so or when the bristles get all frayed. Once they've reached the end, don't throw those babies in the trash just yet! There are numerous ways to put them to use to clean all sorts of things. Not only will you save money but you'll be recycling too, in a way. Here are some tips for putting those old brushes to good use:

• Clean your fingernails
• Clean around the stove top
• Clean the corners of the tub/shower
• Cleaning tile grout
• Clean your keyboard: dip the toothbrush in a little rubbing alcohol first.
• Cleaning around sink drains
• Cleaning small car parts (my husband's favorite!!! LOL)
• removing build-up from around battery terminals: use a little Coke too!
• Cleaning jewelry (either with just soap and water or try using a dab of toothpaste!)
• Removing mud and dirt from shoes, especially tennis shoes with treads
• Scrubbing potatoes (but remember to mark this toothbrush separate from the cleaning ones! LOL)
• Removing tough stains from clothes: just use a dab of your favorite stain remover
• Removing the silk (strings) from fresh corn (again, don't use one of the cleaning ones LOL)
• Clean mini-blinds or screens
• Clean cheese graters
• Groom your eyebrows
• Clean dust from inbetween the air conditioning grates

Of course, it is a good idea to mark your cleaning toothbrushes so that they don't get mistaken for a "good" one. Yuck! LOL. I suggest using a permenant marker.

For information about toothbrush care, storage and replacement go to the ADA website.