Last updated 12 November 2026. Written by the Clean Smile Home team. We sell Oral-B electric toothbrushes and replacement heads, so we have an interest here. We don't run our own lab tests: the cleaning advice below comes from Oral-B, Philips, the American Dental Association and the reviewers we name in the sources at the end, and we say where they disagree.
The short answer
Rinse the head and handle after every brush, then stand the toothbrush upright to dry in the open air. Once a week, pull the head off and clean the joint where toothpaste collects, and wipe the handle and unplugged charger with a damp cloth. Never boil the head, never put it in the dishwasher, and change it about every three months.
Why an electric toothbrush gets grubby
A manual toothbrush is one piece of plastic. An electric one has a moving head that clips onto a metal or plastic shaft, a handle with seals and a button, and a charging stand that lives on a wet bathroom shelf. Every one of those joins is a place for toothpaste, saliva and water to sit.
The worst spot is almost always the inside of the brush head, where it slides over the shaft. Electric Teeth notes that Oral-B heads in particular are prone to build-up inside the head, and its guide shows photos of the brown and black sludge that collects there when nobody takes the head off for a few months. It's rarely dangerous, but it looks grim, it can smell, and dried toothpaste can stop a head sitting properly on the shaft.
The good news is that none of this needs special products. Water, a cloth, a cotton bud and two minutes a week will keep most brushes in good shape for years.
Your cleaning routine at a glance
| How often | What to do | Time it takes |
|---|---|---|
| After every brush | Rinse the head under the tap, rinse or wipe the handle, shake off water, store upright to air dry | About 20 seconds |
| Once a week | Take the head off, rinse inside it and around the shaft, wipe the handle and button, wipe the unplugged charger | Two to three minutes |
| Once a month | Wash the toothbrush cup or holder, clean the travel case, check the bristles for wear | Five minutes |
| About every three months | Fit a new brush head (sooner if the bristles are splayed) | Ten seconds |
After every brush
This is the bit that does most of the work, and it takes less time than finding your keys.
- Rinse the head with the brush still on. Hold it under running water for a few seconds to wash out toothpaste from between the bristles. Expert Reviews suggests five to six seconds under warm water. Some people switch the brush on briefly under the tap to flick out paste; if you do, point it into the sink or you'll redecorate the mirror.
- Rinse or wipe the handle. Oral-B suggests rinsing the handle with water daily. Most electric toothbrush handles are water resistant, so a quick rinse is fine. Don't hold it under the tap for ages or submerge it.
- Shake off the water. A couple of firm shakes over the sink removes most of the water from the bristles, which helps them dry faster.
- Store it upright in the open air. Oral-B, the American Dental Association and Electric Teeth all say the same: let the brush air dry and don't keep it in a closed cover at home. A damp brush in a sealed cap is exactly the warm, wet space that bacteria and mould like.
Oral-B's own FAQ goes one step further and suggests taking the head off after brushing so the inside of the head and the shaft can dry. That's good advice if you have the habit. If you don't, the weekly clean below catches the same problem.
Once a week: the proper clean
1. Take the brush head off
Switch the brush off. On Oral-B brushes, including the Vitality Pro and every iO model, pull the head straight up and away from the handle. Oral-B's guidance is to pull it off at a straight angle and push the new one on the same way. Don't twist an iO head hard; it's held on by a straight push fit.
2. Clean inside the head
Run water through the hollow underside of the head. If you can see paste or dark residue, a cotton bud or a small interdental brush gets into the corners. Electric Teeth recommends exactly this and warns against using anything sharp, which can damage the plastic or seal.
3. Clean the shaft and the top of the handle
Rinse the metal or plastic shaft that the head slides onto and wipe around its base. This is where the gunk you can't see from outside tends to sit. A damp cloth or cotton bud is enough.
4. Wipe the handle and button
Wipe the whole handle with a damp cloth. Philips recommends drying it with a clean, dry cloth afterwards, both to protect it and to stop mould growing. Pay attention to the area around the power and mode buttons, where toothpaste dries into a crust.
For stubborn marks, Electric Teeth says a drop of mild washing-up liquid on a cloth is fine. Expert Reviews goes further and suggests a 50/50 white vinegar and water mix for the base. Electric Teeth, on the other hand, says there's no clinical evidence that vinegar or baking soda mixes do anything special. We'd stick to water and a little mild detergent, which both sources agree is safe.
5. Clean the charger
Unplug the charging stand from the wall first. Wipe it with a damp cloth, let it dry fully, then plug it back in. Never run the charger under the tap or put it in water. Electric Teeth, Philips and the Oral-B iO manual all say the same thing on this one.
If your brush leaves a ring of white residue on the charger, that's usually dried toothpaste and limescale from drips. A cloth dampened with water will shift it with a bit of patience.
6. Put it back together dry
Let the head and handle air dry before you click them back together. The Oral-B iO manual says to let the parts dry before reassembly. Pushing a wet head onto a wet shaft and leaving it is how the sludge starts in the first place.
Once a month
- Wash the toothbrush cup or holder. Cups sit in a puddle of drips and are often dirtier than the brush. Expert Reviews suggests cleaning beakers with a hydrogen peroxide and water solution; hot soapy water also works for most holders. Electric Teeth notes that some head stands and travel cases may be dishwasher safe, but check the manual for your model first.
- Clean the travel case. Even if you only travel a few times a year, wipe the case out after each trip and leave it open to dry. See our guide to travelling with an electric toothbrush for packing tips.
- Look at the bristles. If they're splayed outwards or the coloured indicator bristles have faded, it's time for a new head. Our guide on how often to change your electric toothbrush head goes into the evidence.
What not to do
Most toothbrush damage comes from trying too hard. These are the things the manufacturers and dental bodies specifically warn against.
| Don't | Why | Who says so |
|---|---|---|
| Put the head in the dishwasher | High heat and harsh detergent can damage the head and bristles | Oral-B; Electric Teeth (citing the ADA) |
| Microwave the head | Can damage the plastic and bristles | Oral-B |
| Boil the head | Can warp the plastic; benefit is unproven | Oral-B; Electric Teeth |
| Use bleach | Can damage the brush and isn't needed | Electric Teeth |
| Rinse the charger under the tap | It's a mains electrical part | Electric Teeth; Philips; Oral-B iO manual |
| Keep it in a closed cap at home | Traps moisture, which encourages bacteria and mould | Oral-B; ADA; Electric Teeth |
| Share brush heads | Spreads bacteria between people | ADA; Philips |
| Let heads touch in a shared cup | Cross contamination between family members | Expert Reviews; Electric Teeth |
Mouthwash soaks, UV sanitisers and other extras
This is where the advice gets messy, so here's what each source says.
Mouthwash
Philips suggests soaking the head in antibacterial mouthwash for 20 minutes, then rinsing and air drying. Expert Reviews suggests a weekly soak of about two minutes but warns the bristles may break down a little faster. Electric Teeth points to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says you don't need to do this at all. Oral-B doesn't mention it.
The ADA's toothbrush page cites a 2010 study by Beneduce and colleagues in which soaking manual brushes in 3% hydrogen peroxide or Listerine cut bacterial load by around 85%, but the ADA also says there's little data that this changes anything for your health.
Our view: it won't hurt an occasional head, but rinsing and drying properly matters far more. If you do soak, use a clean cup each time and don't share the solution between family members' heads.
UV sanitisers
Oral-B says there's no solid evidence that commercial toothbrush sanitisers beat simple rinsing and air drying. Electric Teeth adds that dental bodies don't endorse them, and that "sanitising" (cutting bacteria by a large percentage) isn't the same as sterilising. Expert Reviews is more positive, saying UV units take effort out of cleaning, though it describes the evidence as mixed and the units as fairly expensive.
If you like the idea and the price doesn't bother you, there's no harm. But a £20 to £40 gadget won't do anything a tap and an open shelf can't.
Denture tablets
Expert Reviews suggests half a denture-cleaning tablet in a glass of water, with the head soaking for 90 seconds to two minutes, and says not to reuse the solution. It's an option for a deep clean of a head that's got a bit discoloured, but none of the manufacturers we checked recommend it.
Charging and battery care
Cleaning the brush is one half of looking after it. The other half is the battery, which is the part that eventually wears out on any rechargeable brush.
Oral-B's US and Canadian sites both say a new handle can need up to 16 hours for its first full charge. After that, they advise using the brush until the charge is gone and then fully charging it again, rather than topping up between every use, and say this helps the battery perform at its best for longer.
Not everyone works that way. Expert Reviews describes brushes sitting on their chargers between uses as normal, and plenty of people do exactly that for years without trouble. Neither source gives detailed reasons for its position, so we'd treat Oral-B's advice as the safer default for Oral-B handles and not lose sleep over it.
Practical points that apply whichever way you charge:
- Keep the charger dry and wipe off toothpaste drips, which can build up on the contact area.
- Use the charger that came with the brush. If yours has a two-pin plug, our article on why electric toothbrushes have a 2-pin plug explains why and what to plug it into.
- If the brush won't charge, clean the base of the handle and the top of the charger, then leave it on for a few hours before deciding it's faulty.
Battery life varies a lot by model. The Oral-B iO2 and iO3 use a different handle and battery from the Vitality Pro, so check the rated battery life on each product page if you travel a lot. We compare them in Vitality Pro vs iO2 and iO2 vs iO3.
Model-specific notes
Oral-B Vitality Pro
The Vitality Pro uses Oral-B's classic round heads that slide onto a metal shaft. That shaft and the inside of the head are where residue builds up fastest, so the weekly head-off clean matters most on this brush. It takes Oral-B Pro heads such as Pro Precision Clean; iO heads won't fit.
Oral-B iO2, iO2 Duo and iO3
iO brushes use a different, slimmer head that pushes onto the handle. The head has to be removed to clean the joint properly, and the Oral-B iO manual says to clean the handle and head separately and let them air dry before putting them back together. iO handles only take iO heads, such as iO Ultimate Clean. The iO2 Duo comes with two handles, so give each person their own colour of head to avoid mix-ups.
The iO3 has a pressure sensor light. Keep the area around the light free of dried paste so you can see it clearly; if you're not sure what the colours mean, our post on what a pressure sensor does explains.
Not sure which head fits your handle? See which Oral-B brush head fits my toothbrush.
Storage: where to keep your toothbrush
Where you keep the brush affects how clean it stays between washes. The advice from Oral-B, the ADA and Expert Reviews lines up well here.
- Upright, in the open, where it can dry. On the charger is fine, or in a cup with drainage holes.
- Away from the toilet. Expert Reviews suggests storing brushes away from the toilet and shower and, if possible, closing the lid before flushing.
- Heads apart. If the whole family keeps brushes in one cup, make sure the heads don't touch. Expert Reviews suggests keeping them a few inches apart.
- Covers for travel only. Oral-B's summary is keep it covered on the road, but not at home. If you must use a cover more often, pick one with ventilation holes.
Who needs to do what
You brush twice a day and keep the brush on the charger
The basic routine is all you need: rinse, shake, stand upright, and a proper head-off clean once a week. Wipe the charger at the same time.
You share a bathroom with the family
Give everyone a different coloured head or ring, keep heads apart, and wash the shared cup every week rather than every month. Never swap heads, even between partners.
You wear braces or have implants
Brackets catch more food, which ends up in the bristles and the head. Rinse longer after brushing, take the head off more often, and expect to replace it sooner. Your orthodontist may also suggest a specific head.
You travel a lot
Let the brush dry before you pack it, use a ventilated case, and open the case as soon as you arrive. If your brush lasts a couple of weeks on a charge, you can leave the charger at home for short trips.
You've just bought your first electric brush
Start the habits early. Our first electric toothbrush setup guide covers charging, the first week and modes, and how to brush properly with an electric toothbrush covers technique.
What looking after it costs over three years
The main running cost of an electric toothbrush is heads, not cleaning products. Using the prices on our store at the time of writing, and changing the head every three months (12 heads over three years):
| Brush | Head | Cheapest way to buy 12 | Three-year head cost | Per head |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitality Pro | Oral-B Pro Precision Clean | One 12 pack at £23.91 | £23.91 | About £1.99 |
| iO2, iO2 Duo (per person), iO3 | Oral-B iO Ultimate Clean | One 8 pack (£31.27) plus one 4 pack (£21.41) | £52.68 | About £4.39 |
Prices change, so check the product pages for today's price. The cleaning itself costs nothing extra if you stick with water, a cloth and the odd cotton bud. A UV sanitiser or regular mouthwash soaks would add to that, for a benefit that the evidence above doesn't really support.
Looking after the head properly doesn't make it last longer than three months, but it does stop it getting unpleasant before then. Expert Reviews is clear that you can't extend a head's life beyond the normal replacement point.
Tips that make it easier
- Do the weekly clean on the same day each week, such as Sunday night, so it becomes automatic.
- Keep a pack of cotton buds in the bathroom cabinet just for the toothbrush.
- Write the date you fitted a new head on a sticky note inside the cabinet door, or set a phone reminder for three months later.
- Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Less paste means less residue in the head and on the handle.
- Turn the brush on only once it's in your mouth and off before taking it out, so you don't spray paste over the handle and mirror.
- Rinse in warm, not boiling, water. Philips and Expert Reviews suggest hot water; Electric Teeth says cold or warm is fine and to avoid boiling. Warm from the tap covers all three.
Common problems and fixes
Black or brown gunk inside the head
That's dried toothpaste, saliva and bacteria. Take the head off, flush it under the tap, and use a cotton bud or interdental brush to clear it. If it won't shift or the head smells, replace the head. Then start taking it off weekly so it doesn't come back.
White crust on the handle or charger
Usually toothpaste and limescale. Wipe with a damp cloth, with a drop of mild detergent if needed. On the charger, unplug it first and don't let water run into it.
The head feels loose or won't click on
Check for dried paste on the shaft or inside the head; cleaning both often fixes it. If the head is still loose after cleaning, try a new genuine head. A head that won't seat on a clean shaft can be a sign of a worn head or a compatibility problem.
The brush smells
Smell normally comes from the head or a closed cover. Replace the head, clean the shaft, and stop using a cap at home.
Mould on the handle or in the cup
Clean it off, dry everything thoroughly and move the brush somewhere with better airflow. Philips specifically recommends drying the handle after wiping it to prevent mould.
Water inside the handle
Electric toothbrushes are water resistant, not built to be submerged. If you think water has got inside, stop using it and contact the manufacturer or the retailer you bought it from, rather than trying to open it.
Our verdict
Looking after an electric toothbrush is mostly about drying, not disinfecting. Rinse it, shake it, stand it up in the open, and take the head off once a week to clear out the joint. That's the routine the manufacturers recommend and it's the one that stops the sludge most people find when they finally pull a head off.
We'd skip the gadgets and the vinegar experiments. Spend the money on genuine replacement heads instead and change them on time. That does more for how clean your teeth feel than any cleaning hack.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean an electric toothbrush head?
Rinse it under running water after every use, then once a week pull it off the handle and flush out the hollow underside. Use a cotton bud or interdental brush for any residue, then let it air dry before refitting. Don't boil it, microwave it or put it in the dishwasher.
What is the black stuff inside my electric toothbrush head?
It's usually a build-up of old toothpaste, saliva, water and bacteria that collects where the head meets the shaft. It forms when the head is never taken off. Flush and clear it with a cotton bud, or replace the head if it won't come clean.
Can you put an electric toothbrush head in the dishwasher?
No. Oral-B says never to clean a toothbrush head in the dishwasher or microwave because the heat and detergent can damage it. Some stands and travel cases may be dishwasher safe, so check your manual for those parts.
Can I boil my electric toothbrush head?
No. Oral-B advises against boiling heads, and Electric Teeth says boiling is unproven and may damage the plastic. Rinsing and air drying is the recommended approach.
Should I soak my toothbrush head in mouthwash?
You can, but it isn't necessary. Philips suggests a 20 minute mouthwash soak, Expert Reviews warns it may wear the bristles faster, and the US CDC says it's not needed. Proper rinsing and drying matters more.
How do I clean my Oral-B charger?
Unplug it from the wall, wipe it with a damp cloth, let it dry fully and then plug it back in. Never rinse the charger under the tap or put it in water.
Is it OK to rinse an electric toothbrush handle under the tap?
Yes, a quick rinse is fine because most electric toothbrush handles are water resistant, and Oral-B suggests rinsing the handle daily. Don't submerge it or leave it under running water for a long time.
Should I keep my electric toothbrush covered?
Not at home. Oral-B, the ADA and Electric Teeth all advise letting the brush air dry upright, because closed covers trap moisture. Use a ventilated cover or case when travelling.
Should I leave my electric toothbrush on charge all the time?
Oral-B advises using the brush until the battery is empty and then fully recharging, rather than topping up after every use. Many people keep brushes on the charger without problems, and Expert Reviews treats that as normal, so sources differ on how much it matters.
Do UV toothbrush sanitisers work?
They reduce bacteria on the bristles, but Oral-B says there's no solid evidence they beat simple rinsing and air drying, and dental bodies don't endorse them. They're optional rather than necessary.
How often should I clean my electric toothbrush?
Rinse it after every use, do a head-off clean of the head, shaft, handle and charger once a week, and wash the cup or holder roughly once a month. Replace the head about every three months.
How do I stop mould on my toothbrush?
Keep it dry. Shake off water after brushing, store it upright in the open rather than in a cover, dry the handle after wiping it and wash the cup regularly. Moving it away from the shower also helps.
Sources
- Oral-B: How to clean your electric toothbrush
- Oral-B Canada: Electric toothbrush storage and care
- Philips UK: How to look after your toothbrush
- Expert Reviews: How to clean an electric toothbrush
- Electric Teeth: How to clean an electric toothbrush base, handle and heads
- American Dental Association: Toothbrushes
- Oral-B iO instruction manual (cleaning recommendations)
- Oral-B UK: iO Ultimate Clean refill heads
