
September 22 2023
Welcome to this week’s rather packed instalment of Amanda Zips It Up.
And let’s kick things off with a rather disturbing lifestyle issue which affects us all.
Apparently, there’s a very good reason why you shouldn’t be keeping your toothbrush in your bathroom. Yes, it has something to do with ‘poo particles’.
Turns out we’ve been keeping our toothbrushes in the wrong place since, like, forever. If you keep your toothbrush stored neatly in a little holder at the side of your sink, you’re not alone.
But according to dentists it’s actually pretty unhygienic, especially if you don’t live alone. There are a few reasons, all relating to bacteria, obvs.

So, what’s wrong with keeping your toothbrush in the bathroom? When you flush the toilet, especially with the lid open, tiny water droplets containing bacteria and other microorganisms can become aerosolized and settle on nearby surfaces, including your toothbrush.
This is obviously even worse if your toothbrush is placed in close proximity to your toilet. Yup, that means there’s a very high likelihood your toothbrush is covered in poo particles. Nice.
But that’s not the only issue – there’s also the fact that bathrooms get pretty humid and moist, you know, from all those long, hot showers. So, to add insult to injury, bathrooms tend to be humid environments, which can promote the growth of bacteria and mould on your toothbrush.
And, if you share your bathroom with others, there’s a higher likelihood of cross-contamination because, as Dr Payal says, ‘multiple people may be using the space and touching various surfaces.’
I’ve got to admit, it makes sense. You couldn’t be caught dead eating something in the bathroom, would you? But we put our toothbrushes in our mouths twice a day, everyday.
Where to store your toothbrush then?
Obviously anywhere but your bathroom, ideally in a dry area such as a bedroom or ‘dedicated toothbrush cabinet.
The solutions:
Flush with the lid down: Flushing with the lid up allows poo particles to spread around your bathroom and onto your toothbrush, so try not to do that.
Use a toothbrush cover: A ventilated toothbrush cover will help protect your toothbrush from all those nasty floating bacteria.
Store upright and separated: Store your toothbrush upright in a toothbrush holder or cup to allow it to air dry – and make sure it doesn’t touch other toothbrushes if you’re in a shared bathroom.
Regular cleaning: Make sure you clean your toothbrush holder regularly to avoid mould and bacteria building up
Always rinse toothbrush before using: This one is kind of self-explanatory.
Replace regularly: Toothbrushes should be replaced every 3-4 months or sooner if the bristles become frayedto
Anyway, onto this week’s instalment, and we check out what Kanye West and Stormzy wore to LFW, the first black female Vogue Editor and gorgeous Sienna Miller at M&S.