The 7 Best Toilet Brushes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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Cleaning your toilet is always a chore, but these tools can help make it easier.
Real Simple / David Hattan
Fact checked by Rich Scherr
Scrubbing your toilet is an unglamorous but absolutely necessary chore—and keeping it clean and bacteria-free can be far easier with one tool: a toilet brush.
“We don’t think about them often, but toilet brushes are an essential tool in cleaning your toilet," says Mallory Micetich, a home expert at Angi. "Combined with a disinfecting toilet bowl cleaner, toilet brushes scrub away germs and bacteria inside the toilet and can reduce hard water stains.”
We tested 16 of the best toilet brushes, evaluating them on ease of use, performance, maneuverability, durability, ease of cleaning, and value. We also considered factors like material, shape, features, and holders while coming up with our list. In addition to Micetich, we also spoke with cleaning expert Angela Lee for tips on what to look for in toilet brushes.
Best Overall Disposable Toilet Brush: Clorox Toilet Wand Disposable Toilet Cleaning System
What Stands Out
This lightweight, easy-to-use toilet brush has pre-treated brush heads that snap on and off with the press of a button.
What Could Be Improved
The disposable heads are less environmentally friendly.
While regular toilet brushes can harbor bacteria, disposable brushes like the Clorox ToiletWand ensure that no germs are allowed to linger, giving you a sparkling, sanitary clean every time. This Clorox cleaning kit includes a toilet wand, a storage caddy, and six hexagon-shaped disposable sponges that get into hard-to-reach spots.
The toilet brush is lightweight and comfortable to hold, and we found it easy to maneuver and reach all angles of the toilet, even under the rim. The brush head is sturdy but soft, so even after applying pressure, it held up well and didn’t leave any scratches or scuffs behind.
The brush heads are preloaded with Clorox cleaner, which means you don’t have to use a separate toilet bowl cleaner solution, and they kill 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria. They foam up once you add water and conveniently click on and off the handle with a button. This makes it easy to directly deposit a dirty brush head into a trash can without touching it, though if you have to walk far to a trash can, there may be some drippage.
The container is sturdy and doesn’t move much or tip over when removing the brush. It also conceals the brush head so you don’t have to look at it when it’s not in use. While we love how sanitary this option is, the refills will require repurchasing, create more waste, and take up space in your bathroom that a regular brush wouldn’t. That said, if you get easily grossed out by using the same toilet brush repeatedly, a disposable pick is perfect for you.
Price at time of publish: $14
Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 15.31 x 4.41 x 4.75 inches | Holder Included: Yes
Best Overall Reusable Toilet Brush: OXO Good Grips Compact Toilet Brush & Canister
What Stands Out
This toilet brush has an ergonomic handle and replaceable head to clean every cranny of your toilet bowl.
What Could Be Improved
The brush head bristles are stiff, and the head and handle are not flexible.
Simple and compact, the OXO Good Grips Toilet Brush can live in your bathroom without being an eyesore. Plus, you can swap out the conveniently replaceable brush head as needed to keep your brush sanitary.
This brush handle is round on the bottom and widens to fits better in the palm of your hand, enabling you to reach all the areas of the toilet with a comfortable grip. The handle and head are fixed in place while the rounded head can easily reach under the rim and around the bowl. The brush bristles are stiff, hold up to pressure, and are easy to rinse clean.
The storage container is sturdy and can withstand bumps and pushes without tipping over. We found that it was more stable when pushed side to side than front to back and loved that it allows for convenient storing of the brush—the canister hides the head with an automated lid that opens whenever you lift the handle, so you don’t have to touch the lid itself. The holder also has a drip tray with ventilation to let the bristles dry. We found that the toilet brush dried completely after 24 hours, and the brush and container had no scent or signs of mildew.
Price at time of publish: $18
Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 6 x 4.75 x 17 inches | Holder Included: Yes
Best Budget Toilet Brush: IKEA Bolmen Toilet Brush/Holder
What Stands Out
The Ikea toilet brush is a no-nonsense, effective toilet brush at a price that’s hard to beat.
What Could Be Improved
The container has an open top and no drainage.
When it comes to price, simplicity, and effectiveness, the Ikea Bolmen Toilet Brush is hard to beat. Its low price makes it an almost no-brainer purchase—you could even get a spare and still pay less than the price of a cup of coffee.
The brush has an open stand and a clean, basic design. While there are no frills on this pick, the brush is comfortable to grip, and we had no problems reaching various areas of the toilet bowl. The bristles are durable and can take some pressure, though we had to scrub more with the Ikea brush, so cleaning took a little longer, but only by a minute or two.
The brush stand doesn't have ventilation or a separate reservoir, so after 24 hours, the stand had a few drops of water inside, and the brush was mildly damp. During testing, the container stayed upright with some bumping, though it may tip over if you accidentally kick it. Luckily, it’s small enough to be tucked in a corner or behind the toilet so it’s out of the way.
Price at time of publish: $2
Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 14.38 inches tall | Holder Included: Yes
Best Splurge Toilet Brush: Tushy The Conscious Toilet Brush
What Stands Out
The Tushy toilet brush is a stylish and eco-friendly pick to scrub your toilet.
What Could Be Improved
The replaceable heads can be a little finicky.
This elegant toilet brush has a thin bamboo handle that’s about as attractive as a toilet accessory can get. Unlike any other selections on our list, this pick has single-use, biodegradable coconut husk scrubbing pads infused with lemon and tea tree oil for a fresh, invigorating clean each time.
The handle on the Tushy toilet brush has a bamboo gripping area and a white metal barrel that houses a claw to grab replacement heads. Though the handle was comfortable, it was slightly slippery. It fits snugly into a cylindrical slot in the base but wouldn’t come out on its own without us pressing the claw button, which makes it less convenient than some standard toilet brushes—you can also store the unused brush heads in the base.
To swap out a new brush pad, remove the handle, push the button to extend the grippers (they work like a claw), press the grippers into the top-most exposed pad, pick it up, and get scrubbing—all without touching the pad. When you want to toss out a pad, you can press the button to drop the used one directly into a trash can.
The brush heads reached all areas of the bowl and cleaned well. They did leave some foam in the bowl, but you can easily wash that away with a toilet flush, and they didn’t scratch the porcelain at all. We found them to be very durable and quick in cleaning, and due to their thinness, they could reach under the toilet rim. However, since they are biodegradable, we noticed pieces of coconut husk come off the heads, so they may come apart after extended use.
The storage container is also very stable thanks to its weighted bottom and can tip in multiple directions without the risk of falling over. The handle and heads stay securely in the base as well. The toilet brush includes a set of eight pads, and you can sign up for a subscription for refills. While the scrubbing pads are not cheap, the Tushy toilet brush is a luxurious option for those looking for a more green way to keep their toilet sparkling clean.
Price at time of publish: $54
Material: Bamboo, steel, coconut husk (scrubbing pads) | Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 16 inches | Holder Included: Yes
Best Toilet Brush for Under Rim: OXO Good Grips Toilet Brush with Rim Cleaner
What Stands Out
The brush head has angled bristles to help you easily reach under a toilet rim.
What Could Be Improved
While the container has a reservoir, the brush can take a while to fully dry.
It’s easy to swipe the toilet bowl and forget those hard-to-reach spots. This OXO toilet brush has a white, dome-shaped brush head with a separate set of blue bristles that angle upward to help to reach under the rim while simultaneously cleaning the inside surface of the toilet.
The handle is oval-shaped for an ergonomic grip, though we found that it was sometimes better to grip closer to the brush head, which didn’t reduce the comfort of holding the handle. The simple design made cleaning easy, both with gentle and more forceful pressure. The brush head held up well, too—it did flatten a bit with use, but this didn’t affect its ability to clean, and both the white and blue bristles retained their original shape.
The brush is stored in a lightweight, clam-like container that opens when you lift the brush. It’s equally easy to return the brush because the container stays open until it's back in place. While the container can tip over when nudged or bumped, it is relatively stable, especially side-to-side, due to the clam design.
Cleaning the brush takes just some swirls in water, and the container has a small reservoir to catch any dripping. You may want to empty the reservoir; 24 hours after cleaning, we noticed the brush and container were still wet and smelled musky.
Price at time of publish: $28
Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 1 x 5 x 18.5 inches | Holder Included: Yes
Related: The 8 Best Toilets of 2023
Best Silicone Toilet Brush: Boomjoy Toilet Brush
What Stands Out
The silicone bristles are soft and can reach into tight areas.
What Could Be Improved
Silicone bristles are harder to clean and require more pressure for the same scrubbing effect as stiffer bristles.
If you’re worried about scratching your surfaces, a silicone toilet brush could be a good option, as the bristles are softer than plastic ones. This Boomjoy brush has a tapered handle and flexible rubber bristles, so it doesn’t seem like you could scratch your toilet or any other surface, no matter how much pressure you apply.
The brush head is tapered and rounded, so it’s easier to get in and around curved surfaces. The handle is on the shorter side, but we could reach all areas of the toilet, even crevices on the toilet seat. There were zero scratches after using this brush, but a few bristles had some wear and tear and bent a bit at the tip after use. The silicone bristles are thick, so it’s unlikely the brush will fray or change shape too much over time.
Getting the bristles clean requires a little more effort; we had to scrub it against the side of a bucket to remove all the residue. The brush comes with a pair of tweezers to help remove any hairs or other larger particles. Overall, the brush performed well, but due to the softness of the bristles, they may require additional pressure to really clean the inside of a toilet.
The brush fits nicely into the compact storage container, and there are notches inside the compartment to keep the brush from twisting. If you prefer to keep your floors bare, it comes with a sticky pad so you can secure the container to the wall. On the floor, the container is sturdy and doesn’t move when taking the brush out or putting it back in. Plus, the container and brush dried relatively quickly and were completely dry 24 hours after use.
Price at time of publish: $12
Material: Silicone, aluminum handle | Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.46 x 6.26 inches | Holder Included: Yes
Best Electric Toilet Brush: Bell + Howell Scrubtastic Electric Spin Scrubber
What Stands Out
This electric scrubber reduces the manual work of cleaning your toilet.
What Could Be Improved
We wish this scrubber also came with a holder.
Take some of the manual work out of toilet cleaning with an electric brush. The Scrubtastic is cordless, rechargeable, scrubs at 300 RPM, and has over 30 minutes of battery life to help clean your toilets (or any other surface that could use a deep cleaning).
The brush has three interchangeable heads: a large round brush, a flat brush, and a cone brush. We found the large head too big for cleaning a toilet because it sprayed water everywhere in and around the bowl. The smaller, tapered cone brush was the most effective, as it did not drip and spray outside the toilet, but it still effectively scrubbed and cleaned. The handle is wide and extendable up to 39 inches.
We found this brush more impactful than a manual option. Without much effort, it spun, scrubbed, cleaned, and got into all the hard-to-reach spots of the toilet. It’s powerful, so you will need a firm grip while it’s on, but we didn’t have to apply any pressure. The brushes also seemed durable, had no visible wear and tear after use, and didn't cause any scratches or scuffs to the surface. While this brush is bulkier than a standard design, it still reached all areas of the toilet. It was also easy to clean, requiring just a dip in water.
The brush does not come with a storage container but rather a clip that it sits in. The brush can slide out fairly easily, and it was somewhat challenging to mount it. Other than the holder, we found the brush overall effective at cleaning toilets.
Price at time of publish: $30
Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 17 inches | Holder Included: Yes
Related: The 8 Best Toilet Bowl Cleaners to Keep Your Bathroom Fresh
Final Verdict
We recommend the Clorox ToiletWand Disposable Toilet Cleaning Kit, which is lightweight, has Clorox pre-treated disposable heads, and an easy snap mechanism to attach and detach heads. We also liked how efficiently it cleaned the entire toilet bowl. For a budget pick just as effective as pricier toilet brushes, opt for the Ikea Bolmen Toilet Brush, which is durable and will only set you back a couple of dollars.
Our Testing Process
We tested 16 different toilet brushes and evaluated them based on ease of use, performance, maneuverability, durability, ease of cleaning, and value.
First, we tested the durability of the toilet brush and the container. To see how sturdy the container was, we tried to tip it over by grabbing the toilet brush out quickly; pushing the toilet brush handle sideways, backward, and forward while it was in the container; and pushing and pulling the container to see if it moved or fell over. For the toilet brush, we tested if it would scratch the outside bottom area of the toilet and observed if we could add pressure at various angles. If the brush did scratch the outside of the toilet, we only used gentle pressure while cleaning the inside of the toilet.
For performance, we noted if there were any design features to clean specific parts of the toilet, such as curvature, under-the-rim bristles, or interchangeable brush heads. We then spread a thin layer of clay mask around the toilet bowl and under the rim. For electric models, we started a timer before cleaning to see how long the battery would last. We wet the toilet brush and scrubbed the toilet bowl without any added cleaning solution to see how well the brush removed the clay mask.
While cleaning, we observed how easy and comfortable it was to maneuver the toilet brush and how well it reached all the different areas of the toilet bowl. If there were multiple brush heads, we tested each brush head to see which one was most effective, and for electric models, we recorded the total run time. If the clay mask remained after cleaning, we noted how much there was and where it was in the bowl.
To measure ease of cleaning, we cleaned the toilet brush by swishing the brush around in a bucket of water to remove residue and then gently shook out any excess water. If the brush head was disposable, we discarded it into the trash to see if the process was easy or messy and then left the brush to dry in its storage container. For non-disposable brushes, we inspected the brushes after 24 hours for odors, mildew, and/or any water in the storage container.
How to Shop for a Toilet Brush Like a Pro
Material
“The bristles of the toilet brush should be durable, stiff enough to effectively scrub the toilet bowl, and resistant to wear and tear,” says Angela Lee from Hellamaid. “Common bristle materials include nylon, silicone, or a combination of both.”
Nylon brushes are best for tough scrubbing and messes but may be more challenging to keep clean. Meanwhile, non-porous silicone is easier to sanitize and more flexible but may sacrifice some scrubbing power. In our testing, we found that we had to put in a little more muscle in both using and cleaning a silicone brush head, which may not be preferred for anyone cleaning multiple toilets regularly. On the other hand, the plastic brush heads we used were able to handle pressure, showed no wear and tear after use, and could be quickly cleaned with just some water.
The material you choose is ultimately a matter of preference, but Mallory Micetich, a home expert at Angi, recommends making “sure the bristles are easy to clean.”
Shape
When considering the shape of your toilet brush, “you’ll want something that has an ergonomic design and can access hard-to-reach areas especially right under the rim,” says Micetech. Curved toilet bowl brushes and long bristles can help you clean every nook and cranny of your toilet. While a large brush might seem like the best option, medium to small brushes can fit better under the rim for a thorough cleaning. Some also have tapered shapes or bristles at different angles to let you target under the rim—a notoriously challenging area to clean.
Features
While toilet brushes are simple tools, some have bonus features to make scrubbing your toilet more efficient and sanitary. A comfortable, ergonomic handle can improve your grip, while anti-drip features prevent toilet water from leaving a trail across your floor. Toilet brushes with removable brush heads allow you to swap out the bristles rather than replace the entire brush. If you want even more of an upgrade, look for a self-cleaning mechanism to keep the brush clean and ready for the next scrubbing session. Finally, if you’re looking to cut down your cleaning time and effort, an electric option will do a lot of the work for you and is often versatile enough to use to scrub other parts of the bathroom.
Holder
“Not all toilet brushes come with a caddy, but I highly recommend purchasing one that comes with it or buying it separately,” says Micetech. “Even with proper care, toilet brushes can harbor bacteria and a caddy keeps them safely stored away.” Look for a holder with ventilation or drainage so the brush doesn’t sit in water and has time to dry between uses, which keeps both odors and mildew at bay. A holder also keeps the brush contained, so it’s not rolling around in a cabinet or on the floor. If you don’t want to look at brush heads every time you walk into the bathroom, opt for a holder that fully encloses the brush head or one that’s slim enough to be hidden behind the toilet.
More Toilet Brushes to Consider
Polder Stainless Steel Toilet Brush Caddy: This stainless steel toilet brush is sleek, easy to maneuver, and has plastic bristles that are effective at cleaning. It comes with a container that has an open back that lets the brush dry, and it can also be turned towards the wall to hide the head out of sight. We did find that the handle was too long for the base, which means the brush is unstable when stored and can easily tip over or fall out.
Tilswall Electric Spin Scrubber: This electric brush has a long, telescopic handle and four replaceable heads (corner round, pointed, small flat, and extra wide flat). It’s on the pricier side, and most of the brush heads seem better suited for larger jobs like tile and grout. Similar to the Scrubtastic brush, it doesn’t come with a storage container, just a loop that you can use to hang on a wall hook.
Questions You Might Ask
Are silicone toilet brushes more hygienic?
Silicone is a non-porous material, meaning it doesn’t absorb water or bacteria, says Lee, who adds that silicone “makes it less likely for bacteria, germs, and residue to accumulate on the brush surface.”
Silicone brushes are thought to be easier to clean than traditional bristles. “You can rinse them thoroughly or even toss them in the dishwasher,” says Lee. “The non-porous nature of silicone prevents the bristles from trapping residue or holding onto bacteria, making it easier to maintain cleanliness.” However, we found that silicone and rubber toilet brushes were surprisingly difficult to clean. The only exception was the Boomjoy Toilet Brush, which is a silicone option that performed well in our tests.
How often should you replace your toilet brush?
Toilet brushes will get worn out or accumulate bacteria over time, regardless of what material and style of brush you choose. “All toilet brushes should be cleaned after each use and ideally replaced every six months,” says Micetich. Toilet brushes with replaceable heads can cut costs and prevent unnecessary waste.
How big should a toilet brush be?
We recommend a small- to medium-sized toilet brush, which allows you to effectively and efficiently clean inside your toilet bowl. “Bigger brush heads are great at getting the job done quickly, while smaller brush heads can get into hard-to-reach places,” says Micetich.
Also consider the handle length while shopping. “The handle of the toilet brush should be long enough to provide sufficient reach into the toilet bowl without your hand coming into close contact with the water,” says Micetech. “A longer handle allows you to maintain a comfortable distance while cleaning. However, it should still be practical for handling and maneuvering the brush effectively.”
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Lesley Chen, a contributing writer for Real Simple with experience writing commerce, home, and lifestyle stories. To compile this list, we tested 16 of the best toilet brushes and evaluated them on ease of use, performance, maneuverability, durability, ease of cleaning, and value. For expert advice, Lesley spoke to Mallory Micetich, a home expert at Angi, and Angela Lee from Hellamaid, a top-rated cleaning company in Ontario, Canada.
What Is Real Simple Selects?
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.
Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.
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