9 Comments

Another UV Toothbrush Sterilizer

December 18, 2006 by in Random with 9 Comments

Ever questioned the cleanliness of that toothbrush which you ever so casually use on a regular basis? Did you know that each time the toilet flushes, it sends little particles of toilet water wafting through the air and landing on various items throughout your bathroom? I think it’s safe to assume that your toothbrush is one such item that will may get a little unwelcome coating of toilet water. Maybe it’s time to invest in a UV toothbrush sterilizer [via]?

Of course this means that anything left sitting out in a bathroom is pretty much guaranteed to be hit by the flushing-induced shrapnel, including your toothbrush. So your options are to never brush your teeth again, use a new toothbrush every time or start using a UV sterilizer like this one from Japanese company Rakuten. After cleaning those pearly whites just stick your toothbrush into the device and close the lid. An ultraviolet lamp will then switch on and sterilize the head of your brush in about 4 minutes and then switch off automatically.

To be honest, I never understood why Dan was so adamant insisting that a toothbrush required a UV sterilizer in order to maintain its cleanliness. The product page is in Japanese but Amazon.com offers toothbrush sterilizers including the VIOlight sterilizer. There are a few other options available as well.

Is it paranoia setting in? There haven’t been any reports linking dirty water from the toilet causing illnesses (at least not to my knowledge).


  • http://www.pjllobell.com PVL

    “flushing-induced shrapnel” – I love it!

  • padieg

    This reminds me of an episode of Mythbusters where they tried to probe if this was true, but I can´t remember now how it turned out to be.
    Well, I think mine wasn’t a very useful comment.

  • tom (dB)

    Or, as a cheap way you close the lid and then flush.

  • http://rvgl.tonycai.com/blog/ j2

    Padieg, they found that the particles (I think they were called ‘fecal colliforms?’) are pretty much everywhere, no matter what you do. Sure, you could sterilize the toothbrush, but the particles in such small.. doses(?) would have virtually no effect on you.

  • jm

    If you dipped your toothbrush in the toilet, would you use it again even if it was sterilized?

    I wouldn’t.

  • http://www.uneasysilence.com Dan

    Derek , as you know I am on a little holiday, but my portable violite was the first thing I packed :)

  • David

    Jeez, we’ve had our teethbrushes in our bathrooms for decades, and now all of a sudden it’s a problem?? When are people going to realize that a certain level of bacteria is actually GOOD for human beings, even for the Japanese….

  • http://is.derekpunsalan.com Derek

    Dan, I knew that UV sterilizer was the first to go into your bag. Surprised you didn’t start the comment with “I told you so”.

  • Deedee

    The thing is, my toilet, and most home toilets, flush with centrifical force and gravity. And that force is not so great as to throw up a mist. Of course, it is a different story with the powerful toilets found in many public establishments. But nobody’s toothbrush is sitting around in public restrooms.

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