How to Recycle an Old Toothbrush into a Bracelet
We all have them, and some people even collect them, either knowingly or just by forgetting to throw them away. Now here's a great idea for recycling all those old toothbrushes lying around your home: Make them into pretty bracelets that you can sell, give to a loved one or wear yourself as a unique jewelry trinket. Read on to learn how to recycle an old toothbrush into a bracelet.
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Things You'll Need
- Saucepan
- Water
- Old toothbrush
- Kitchen tongs
- Pliers
- Towel or paper towels
- Bowl
Instructions
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1
Pour the water into a pan and bring it to a rolling boil. Drop the toothbrush into the boiling water and let it boil for about 5 to 10 minutes. Use a pair of tongs to remove the toothbrush from the boiling water.
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2
Use your pliers to remove the brush bristles while the toothbrush is still malleable. As you pull out the bristles, take care not to bend the toothbrush. Remove all the bristles.
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3
Drop the toothbrush back into the pan of boiling water and let it boil for another 5 to 10 minutes. Take it out again using the tongs and place it on a towel or paper towels. Be very careful as you handle the hot toothbrush.
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4
Wrap the towel around the toothbrush and bend both ends toward each other. If the brush is too resistant, place it back into the hot water to soften for another few minutes. Depending on the type of plastic your toothbrush is made from, it may need several trips to the boiling pot before it fully bends into the bracelet shape.
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5
Place the bracelet into a bowl of cold water to let the plastic harden and set into shape. Enjoy your new jewelry.
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Tips & Warnings
While brand-name toothbrushes may be nice to have in some cases, they are not really necessary for this project, and certainly will not affect its outcome.
Thinner toothbrushes seem to be the best option for this type of craft.
Don't allow the toothbrush to boil for longer than 10 minutes in Step 2. It may get too hot, causing it to bend and mold while you are removing bristles.
Never place the hot toothbrush directly on your skin, as there is a great risk of being burned.
