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So let’s just start with the question people don’t always say out loud.
Can you wash a toilet brush in the dishwasher?
Technically… I mean, yes, you can. The machine will run. Water will spray. Things will happen.
But should you?
Yeah—no. Not really. And once you think it through, it starts to feel like one of those ideas that sounded fine for about three seconds and then quickly got worse.
Why This Even Comes Up (Because It Does)
Toilet brushes are one of those things nobody wants to deal with.
You use them, you put them back, and then at some point you realize… wait, this thing is probably not very clean.
And then the brain goes: dishwasher = hot water = cleaning = problem solved.
It’s kind of logical. But also kind of not.
The Dishwasher Isn’t Built for This (At All)
Dishwashers are great—but they have a lane.
Plates, glasses, forks. Stuff that had food on it.
Not… bathroom tools.
The issue isn’t just temperature or soap. It’s the type of mess. Toilet brushes deal with bacteria that dishwashers aren’t really designed to handle.
And more importantly, they’re not designed to keep that bacteria contained in a way that makes you feel good about using your dishes afterward.
Because that’s the part people gloss over.
The Cross-Contamination Thing (Yeah, It’s As Bad As It Sounds)
Let’s not overcomplicate it.
You put a toilet brush in the dishwasher… and then later you put plates in there.
Even if the machine runs hot, even if you use detergent, there’s still that mental—and honestly practical—line you’re crossing.
Water splashes around inside a dishwasher. It circulates. It doesn’t politely stay in one corner with the toilet brush and mind its business.
So now everything in there is sharing space.
And that’s just not a risk worth taking for something you could clean another way in five minutes.
Also, It Probably Won’t Even Clean It Well
This part gets overlooked, but it matters.
Toilet brushes aren’t smooth like dishes. They’re all bristles—tight, layered, kind of chaotic.
Dishwasher spray can’t always reach deep into that. So you end up with a brush that went through a full cycle… and still isn’t fully clean.
Which is somehow worse.
And There’s a Chance You Mess Up Your Dishwasher Too
It’s not guaranteed, but it happens.
Hard bristles knocking around, maybe scratching the interior, maybe getting caught somewhere they shouldn’t.
Plus, some brushes have metal parts, coatings, or materials that just don’t react well to dishwasher heat.
So now you’ve got a questionable brush and a dishwasher you’re side-eyeing.
Not ideal.
So What Should You Do Instead?
Nothing complicated, honestly. Just more appropriate.
Bleach (the classic, for a reason)
Bucket. Hot water. A bit of bleach.
Let the brush sit for a while—doesn’t have to be exact, just long enough to do its job.
Rinse it well, let it dry.
Simple, effective, done.
Hydrogen Peroxide (if bleach isn’t your thing)
Pour it over the bristles, let it sit for a few minutes.
Rinse. Dry.
It’s a quieter method, but it works.
Vinegar + Baking Soda (a little fizzy, a little satisfying)
This one’s more “natural cleaning aisle energy.”
Sprinkle baking soda, add vinegar, let it bubble up. Give it a few minutes.
Rinse everything off and you’re good.
The Small Habits That Actually Keep It Clean
This part matters more than any deep clean, honestly.
- Rinse the brush after each use
- Let it dry fully (don’t trap it in a wet holder)
- Clean it regularly, not just when it starts looking suspicious
It’s not glamorous, but it keeps things under control.
And At Some Point… Just Replace It
There’s a limit to how clean a toilet brush can get.
If the bristles are bent, if there’s a smell that won’t go away, or if it just looks tired—replace it.
Every few months to a year is pretty normal.
It’s not the kind of item you keep forever.
So Yeah… Dishwasher Is a No
It seems convenient for about a minute.
But between the hygiene concerns, the not-great cleaning results, and the whole “this is where my plates go” realization… it’s just not worth it.
There are easier, safer ways to clean a toilet brush that don’t leave you questioning your life choices halfway through unloading the dishwasher.
And honestly? That’s reason enough.