apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

just this once, it's all about Ikea
highly functional
(click name for link)

If I were doing Lynn's bathroom, I'd be very tempted by Target's stylish red toilet brush: http://tinyurl.com/r84oj

(Yes, darn it, I WAS looking for a cheap knock-off of the Merdolino. Didn't find it, either.)

I have the stainless one (the first link in Maxwell's list), and it's the first one I've ever been satisfied with.

This is one item I refuse to let succumb to bathroom design in my house -- why have a permanent fixture, however cute, that will sit and collect bacteria and dust when you can buy a version with disposable brush tops and hide it in the cupboard? I am all for good design, but no one can design away bacteria.

Jesse, I have got to think that the handles also get contaminated by association. I'm sorry, but I think those disposables probably end up being less hygenic because people are less careful. I would not want that brush handle in my cupboard. I don't think there's any perfect solution.

If you need whimsical design in this item, Koziol makes a less expensive alternative in the same style of Alessi. http://www.utilitieshome.com/store.php?crn=105&rn=420&action=show_detail
But, if you want more of a functional design Retracto is great. http://www.utilitieshome.com/store.php?crn=91&rn=460&action=show_detail

I hate them sitting out too. I used to put it loosely in a heavier-type plastic shopping bag and lean it against the inside of the vanity cabinet. Dryed out and out of sight.

Why are most toilet brush holders designed without air holes to let it dry out after use? I won't buy the sealed ones.

I can't help but think that the name "Merdolino" is some sort of inside joke.

I had the OXO Good Grips one and it really gets nasty fast - not that they aren't all in essence nasty. But this one, I used it once (the toilet did not have a ring in it - wasn't one of those "i forgot to clean the toilet" times or anything) and the next time I used it, the bristles were all brown and disgusting. I threw it away after one use.

i have wondered if you can't clean it by putting it in a large bucket (or the tub, since you clean it anyway) with bleach and water. ??

Elizabeth,
You certainly can and should clean your toilet brush in a bleach and water mix - it is useless to clean a toilet with a filthy brush. I soak mine about once a month at least.
I have the OXO good grips - have been using it for about 2-3 years - and it is fine. However, IMHO, a brush that turns brown after one use is pretty useless - no matter how dirty the toilet was. Yikes!

Good, glad that the bleach and water will work. (duh...) I've just been spraying down the handle - I guess I thought it would do something to the bristles? Just a classic case of the "not thinking throughs."

A trick from our our cleaner: use the brush in the bowl (ideally w/Comet, bleach, whatever cleaner you have) then tap the brush a couple times into the bowl and put the seat down on the handle, with the brush suspended over the water. It can drip whatever is left into the bowl and eventually dries out. When you come back to the bathroom later on, put the dried brush back in its holder. Its funny, too, as it looks like the toilet is having its temperature taken.

Elizabeth: it is. It actually means "little s--t". It is "I can't believe they called it that" kind of name. I groan everytime I see it.

ha! makes sense. "merde" is sh--t in french.

I don’t know what all the fuss about toilet brushes is... they scratch too much, I still prefer toilet paper!



Yes, it was a disgusting joke but I couldn’t resist. Sorry. :)

The disposable handles certainly get contaminated. I would never put that in a cabinet. Martha advocates a mixture of bleach and water in a ceramic container that you replace every so often. I don't do this, but it makes sense.

the best toilet brush you have forgotten: Pinocchio by Raffaele Iannello for Viceversa firm
http://www.viceversa.com/Dynamic/Products,intCategoryID,48,intItemID,1380.html

Vodka works well as a decontaminate.

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