Silicone Toilet Brush vs Regular: A Quick Comparison

Written by

Paulk Webb

FACT-CHECKED BY

Freddie J. Hagopian

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silicone toilet brush vs regular

Although cleaning the toilet is a task that is not liked by many, it’s still crucial to find the right toilet brush. Thus, this article will show you the different sides of silicone toilet brush vs regular.

Are silicone toilet brushes better? It may be because for its looks and ability to clean. Users like the idea that germs don’t stick and stay on them.

Before silicone toilet brushes were made, an easy handy toilet brush with plastic bristles proved to be effective in cleaning the toilet bowl.

So, do silicone toilet brushes work much better? Is it right to let go of the regular toilet brush? You’re about to find out.

Silicone Toilet Brush

most-hygienic-toilet-brush

Silicone toilet brushes receive positive reviews for easy cleaning and storage. The best examples are LM Bodycare silicone toilet brush, Lefree silicone toilet brush, and ASOBEAGE toilet brush. A rubber toilet brush made by Cqfly is awesome as it spins 360 degrees.

Silicone toilet brushes come in various designs and they can be bought in sets. There are some additional items like tweezers in a Boomjoy set and a MEXERRIS set. Some have angled or symmetrical heads that flex so they can get into hard-to-reach areas.

Let’s look at the pros to validate its claim as the most hygienic toilet brush.

PROS:

  • Attracts fewer germs

Jeremiah Johnson, a microbiologist, stated that a silicone toilet brush attracts fewer microorganisms like germs, E. coli, and bad bacteria compared to a toilet brush with plastic bristles. The reason is that silicone is non-porous so it doesn’t accommodate the occupancy of organic matter that a toilet contains. Because of this, silicone can resist microbial contamination.

Just so you know, silicone is a material that is frequently used in the medical industry as microorganisms don’t stick to it as it dries quicker than plastic.

  • Easier to clean

It’s right to say that it’s a self-cleaning silicone toilet brush because of the ease of cleaning. Hence, it promotes sanitation in your bathroom. You’ll notice that only a bit of water drips from it. It’s even used in the kitchen where silicone items can be boiled.

  • More robust

Aside from resisting contamination, silicone can withstand physical stress caused by UV light and strong chemical cleaners. So, you don’t have to worry about using tough cleaners for your bowl. Also, you can depend on the durability of the silicone toilet brush.

CONS:

  • More effort when using

Once you use a silicone toilet brush, you’ll realize that you need to put more effort into wrist movements.

  • Not included in recycling

Unfortunately, silicone is not included in the recycling program of post-consumer products. After your silicone toilet brush is done with its service, you can find a specialized recycling facility or take it to a landfill.

Regular Toilet Brush

do-silicone-toilet-brushes-work

A regular toilet brush has a round head composed of hard bristles, which are made of plastic. Though it’s the traditional type, there are different designs that you can choose from. There’s an antimicrobial version from Clorox to block mold, mildew, and bacteria that can cause bad odor.

The scrub style is also applied on a regular toilet brush. Just like KLLEYNA toilet brush, it’s angled to allow reaching sections of the bowl. You’ll like its long handle because it means that your hands won’t be near the toilet water. The scrub toilet brush may come with a small scrub to reach the nooks and crannies of the toilet’s bottom part.

CONS:

  • Easy to use

Regular toilet brushes are known for their long, ergonomic handle. Thus, it is easy to use them. You don’t have to strain your hands and arms.

  • Cleans well

Since they have been the form of toilet brushes after the wooden type with animal hair, they prove to clean the toilet bowl effectively.

  • Availability

It’s the pioneer among toilet brushes, so its availability is everywhere.

Regular Toilet Brush vs Silicone Toilet Brush: What’s Important To You

Besides describing each product, there must be a comparison for you to decide on the one that works for you.

1. Ease of use

The winner is the regular toilet brush due to its long and ergonomically designed holder. You won’t fear getting in contact with toilet water while cleaning. I think it’s the softness of silicone that requires more effort and twisting of the wrist. But you can find a flexer silicone toilet brush with a head that can reach tight corners of a toilet bowl.

2. Accumulation of germs, bacteria, mold, and mildew

As attested by a microbiologist, silicone is not prone to the accumulation of unwanted microorganisms. It’s easier to clean before storage. On the contrary, plastic bristles are hard to clean after use. However, an antibacterial toilet brush is available to counter the growth of germs, bacteria, mold, and mildew.

The holder of a regular toilet brush is upgraded. It can catch the water that drips from the brush and let it evaporate through ventilation. Moisture encourages mini organisms to cling to the bristles so it must be eliminated when the brush is in storage. However, this matter makes changing a regular toilet brush more often than the silicone toilet bowl brush.

3. Period of service

Silicone is not only cleaned easily but also resistant to UV rays and strong chemicals. Plastic bristles don’t have this ability so they may give in to exposure. Hence, you may need to replace the regular toilet brush more often than the silicone one. As you continue to use the former, you’ll have the feeling that it’s been overused and it’s time to change it.

The good part about plastic toilet brushes is that they can be recycled. On the other hand, silicone is not included in the common recycling program. You have to find a specialized recycling outlet that accepts silicone.

4. Cleaning ability

They both can clean your toilet bowl well. The regular toilet brush has an electric version that can eliminate heavy stains and dirt. You don’t have to push hard when using it. Unlike the silicone toilet brush, you need to apply more pressure. But its efficiency can be found in how it can take care of hard-to-reach areas.

5. Cost

Silicone toilet brushes are more expensive than regular toilet brushes. But you have to look at the consequence in which the latter is replaced more often than the former. The recommended period for replacement is half a year.

Summing It Up

Comparing silicone toilet brush vs regular toilet brush should be done through someone’s experience of using these items. It’s the only way that you can tell which one works for you best. People live in different households and it means there’s different traffic that occurs in the toilet and the cleaning schedule.

Think about being at ease with silicone as it doesn’t house germs and bacteria. On the other hand, the strength of the regular toilet brush is in its ease of use.

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