Nobody has ever stood back from a clean and tidy bathroom and thought, ‘Oh, yes – that toilet brush really completes the room.’

It makes sense that you don’t want a used toilet brush sitting out in the open.

That may explain a trend we’ve noticed. Toilet brushes are being tucked into vanities, moved to other rooms, or removed altogether.

If you’d rather hide yours, I’m with you. It doesn’t need to be part of the décor. You can keep it out of sight without flushing it out of the room altogether. A bathroom is, after all, still a bathroom, and a toilet brush is one of those practical little things you need to keep it clean – both between our visits and while we’re there.

You can hide your toilet brush – just don’t remove it

A toilet bowl cleaner can loosen stains and deposits, but the brush provides the scrubbing action. It lets you reach around the bowl, along the waterline, and under the rim. The American Cleaning Institute also recommends using a long-handled toilet brush to clean the rim holes and reach into the trap, helping to prevent mineral deposits from building up.

So, by all means, keep the brush out of sight. Just make sure it still has a home somewhere in or near the bathroom so it’s ready when you need it. As gross as it may seem, when it comes to bathroom business, this little brush means business.

Is it hygienic to keep a toilet brush in a cupboard?

Yes, it can be. The cupboard itself isn’t the main concern. It’s more about the condition of the brush when you put it away.

If you place a wet brush straight into a damp holder and shut it inside an unventilated cupboard, moisture gets trapped. That can lead to odours and makes it harder for the brush and holder to stay clean.

So, after you use the brush:

• Flush again after cleaning the bowl, then rinse the brush in the fresh water.
• Let it drip into the bowl and air-dry fully before putting it away.
• Empty, clean, and dry the holder instead of allowing water to collect in the bottom.
• Clean or disinfect the brush and holder periodically.
• Wash your hands when you’ve finished.

(If you use a cleaning product or disinfectant on the brush, follow the label directions and make sure the product is suitable for the brush material. Never mix cleaning products.)

You could also choose a toilet brush caddy with a built-in drying position. The main point is not to put a dripping brush into a closed space.

How to hide a toilet brush without making it harder to use

The best option is one that keeps the brush out of your sight without making it difficult to find, dry, or clean.

You could choose:

• A low-profile holder: A simple holder in a finish that suits the bathroom can blend into the space rather than drawing attention.
• A ventilated caddy: Look for a design that lets air circulate and keeps the brush head out of pooled water.
• A wall-mounted holder: This keeps the floor clear and makes it easier to clean around the toilet.
• A dedicated vanity space: A cupboard or pull-out compartment can work once the brush and holder are clean and dry. Keep them separate from towels, toilet paper, toothbrushes, and personal-care products.
• A disposable-head toilet wand: This hides more easily and gives you a fresh cleaning head when you need it. Follow the disposal instructions and consider the added cost and waste before going down this route.

A silicone toilet brush may also suit a design-led bathroom because many models have a slim head and a compact holder. It isn’t maintenance-free, though. You’ll still need to rinse it, let it dry, and clean the holder.

Whatever you choose, make sure it reaches under the rim and can scrub the bowl. A toilet brush that looks good but can’t do the job isn’t much help!

Why we don’t bring a toilet brush from house to house

When we clean your bathroom, we need access to a toilet brush. We absolutely don’t carry a used brush from one client’s home to the next. That would create its own storage and cross-contamination problems.

Instead, we use the brush that belongs to your bathroom. Ideally, keep one beside or near each toilet. If yours lives in a cupboard, that’s completely fine – just let us know where it is or set it out on cleaning day.

If there isn’t a brush available, we can apply the toilet bowl cleaner, but we can’t give the inside of the bowl the same thorough scrub. It’s an unglamorous little tool, but it isn’t something we can simply brush aside.

Your toilet brush doesn’t need to be part of the décor

You can have a pristine bathroom without putting every ‘practical’ item on display. Hide the toilet brush in a ventilated holder, mount it beside the toilet, or store it dry in a dedicated cupboard. You don’t need to give it pride of place beside the throne. The goal is simply to have a clean, dry, and usable brush ready when you – or your cleaner – needs it.

If you’re looking for local house cleaning in Flamborough, Puslinch, Freelton, Carlisle, Guelph, Dundas, or somewhere else nearby, get in touch with The Little Mop. One of my trusted team members or I will be happy to take some of the cleaning off your plate – including the practical bathroom jobs you’d rather not think about.