Toothbrushes are approximately 5 to 6 inches long, and it seems like there's a toilet attracting mechanism built into each one. Far too often, if you drop your toothbrush, it will land in your toilet bowl. Obviously, you can get a new toothbrush, but you cannot simply flush the old one down the drain -- you must remove it. If you are lucky, you'll be able to retrieve the toothbrush from the toilet bowl. If you are not so lucky, the toothbrush is stuck in the trap, which is the S-shaped part of your toilet that keeps sewer gases from coming into your home.
Toothbrush in Toilet Bowl
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Step 1
Get out a plastic grocery bag or sealable baggie and place it by the toilet. Make sure it is open.
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Step 2
Slip on a pair of long rubber gloves and pull the toothbrush out of the water. Do not try to lower the water level in the toilet by dumping more water into the toilet bowl. This could drive the toothbrush into the trap.
Step 3
Place the toothbrush in the plastic bag, seal the bag and discard the toothbrush. Sanitize the gloves in water mixed with bleach.
Toothbrush Stuck in Trap
Step 1
Turn off the water supply to the toilet tank. The water supply valve is usually located below the tank on the left side.
Step 2
Remove the water from the toilet tank. The best way to do this is to scoop the water out with a cup or bowl and then use towels to sop up the remaining water. The water is clean, so you can drain it into your bathtub.
Step 3
Disconnect the water line from the toilet bowel with a wrench.
Step 4
Flush the toilet to drain the remaining water out of the toilet bowl. Use a plunger to push additional water down through the drain hole, if necessary.
Step 5
Place newspapers or dry towels on the floor next to the toilet.
Step 6
Remove the bolts that secure the toilet to the floor, using a wrench or channel-lock pliers.
Step 7
Lift up the toilet and place it on its side on the newspaper or towels.
Step 8
Fish the toothbrush out of the S-trap. Make sure you are wearing rubber gloves when doing this.
Step 9
Place the toothbrush into a plastic bag, pull the wax ring off the drain and place it in the bag. You may need a scraper to fully remove the wax.
Step 10
Place a new wax ring onto the drain and place the toilet onto the wax ring.
Step 11
Press down on the toilet until the toilet rests against the floor. Secure the toilet to the floor with the bolts and reconnect the water line. Turn on the water and allow the toilet to fill up.