Hey earth muffins! In the quest for more sustainable choices, bamboo toothbrushes have gained popularity as an alternative to traditional plastic toothbrushes. With their biodegradability and renewable sourcing, bamboo toothbrushes offer a promising step towards reducing plastic waste. However, selecting the right bamboo toothbrush involves more than just opting for the first one you see. In this blog post, we’ll explore key factors to consider when choosing a bamboo toothbrush the next time you need a replacement. Let’s jump right into it!
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bookmark_borderWhich is Better: A Bamboo or Electric Toothbrush?
Hey earth muffins! When I started this sustainable journey, I had an electric toothbrush already in my bathroom. I wasn’t sure if continuing to use it was the best option, as bamboo toothbrushes are a good alternative to plastic ones. I decided to use my electric toothbrush for a couple more years; but, a few months ago I decided to try out bamboo toothbrushes instead (affiliate link). After writing a full review on this bamboo toothbrush, I realized that it is quite confusing to think about which one is better for the environment… So, I thought it would be a great thing to write about! Here are my thoughts on which one is more eco-friendly – a bamboo or electric toothbrush?
Both will give you similar results in terms of brushing.
I always thought that electric toothbrushes were better for your teeth… But that isn’t necessarily the truth! With a bamboo manual toothbrush, you can still brush your teeth extremely well. Regardless of what toothbrush you use, you need to also floss and take good care of your teeth overall. If you do this, you won’t have many issues them. Less issues = less dental waste at the dentist office! 🦷 Those who don’t brush properly or take care of their teeth will often find themselves having to sit through more procedures at the dentist.
You MUST dispose of your bamboo toothbrush properly!
Bamboo toothbrushes are supposed to be a better alternative to plastic ones because they won’t last thousands of years in the landfill. But, bamboo toothbrushes must be disposed of correctly or they can still cause issues. First, many of them still have plastic bristles. Make sure to cut or rip them out before getting rid of the wood handle! Once the bristles are gone, compost the bamboo. If you don’t compost it, the wood will end up in the landfill with other food waste and natural materials. Because there is no oxygen in a landfill, it will create methane while it breaks down… Definitely not something we want! Sure, it won’t last as many years as plastic, but it will emit greenhouse gases if not disposed of properly.
An electric toothbrush will last a long time.
In terms of how long a bamboo or electric toothbrush lasts, an electric one can last much longer. This is because the plastic handle can be reused again and again. However, every 3-6 months you should replace the head of the brush. These are obviously made of plastic; but, there are some eco-friendly alternatives! Some brands allow you to send back the heads to be recycled. You can get a pack of 8 recyclable heads for only $10 on Amazon (affiliate link). While sending products back to the company to recycle is a nice option, it does create more shipping emissions.
Bamboo toothbrushes don’t require any electricity use!
Electric toothbrushes either require batteries or have a rechargeable battery inside. The first option isn’t that eco-friendly because you have to change the batteries. Batteries can’t just be thrown in the trash – you must dispose of them properly! The better option would be the rechargable toothbrush. But, this obviously requires electricity use! While it doesn’t take too long to charge the electric toothbrush each time, it is still pulling power off the grid. Sure, there are other ways for you to get electricity (ie. solar), but most people don’t have that option.
Electric is often more costly!
In the bamboo or electric toothbrush debate, price is also something that must be considered. In terms of overall cost, the bamboo toothbrush is much cheaper. For the brushes I bought, you get 5 for only $9 (affiliate link). While some electric toothbrush heads are a similar price point, the actual electric toothbrush is a costly investment up front. There is also a large range of prices too – I’ve seen toothbrushes anywhere from $30 to $200!
Final Thoughts: Bamboo or Electric Toothbrush?
Looking at all the pros and cons of the bamboo or electric toothbrush decision, I think it really comes down to each individual person! I personally love my bamboo toothbrush for a bunch of reasons; but, I think you could definitely still be eco-friendly with an electric toothbrush. If you opt for bamboo, make sure you dispose of it properly! For those fans of electric, choose recyclable heads and take the effort to send them back to the company! For everyone, make sure you take good care of your teeth so that waste in the dentist office can be minimized. 😊 What toothbrush do you use currently?
Love,
Jenna ♥
bookmark_borderAn Easy Sustainable Bathroom Swap: A Bamboo Toothbrush Review!
Hey earth muffins! As I mentioned in my most recent post, I finally jumped on the bamboo toothbrush trend. When I started my eco journey back in 2018, I continued to use my electric toothbrush because I still had a bunch of toothbrush heads. Once I used them up, I was going to either 1) get heads that could be recycled or 2) switch to bamboo toothbrushes… And I decided to try out bamboo! 🦷 I thought this would be the perfect time to share a bamboo toothbrush review with you all. Let’s get right into it!
What I Like About My Bamboo Toothbrush
For starters, a bamboo toothbrush is an awesome sustainable swap! And, it is an easy one too. A lot of brands are coming out with bamboo toothbrushes these days… You can find them at almost every store. I bought a pack of five brushes from a Swedish company called The Humble Co (affiliate link). For only $8.99, I think that is a great price for a sustainable product! When I was thinking about the switch, I randomly thought that bamboo toothbrushes might have a wooden taste to them. They don’t! The bamboo wood doesn’t feel super “woody” either, so you won’t even miss those ocean polluting plastic toothbrushes. 😊
Another bonus of bamboo toothbrushes is how “clean” they look in your bathroom. I’m a huge advocate for bars over bottles because it makes the bathroom look tidy with a minimalist aesthetic. Plastic toothbrushes often come in bright shades of color; a nice wood is much better in my opinion!
I had been using an electric toothbrush for years now, and I definitely forgot how much more control you have with a manual toothbrush. It is often advertised that electric toothbrushes are better for brushing (which may be the case), but I personally find it easier to get exactly where I want brushed if the head isn’t spinning all over the place. Plus, the tiny circular heads of my electric toothbrush didn’t cover as much ground as a bamboo toothbrush does. Definitely a pro in this bamboo toothbrush review!
More Things I Love!
Another bonus of a bamboo toothbrush is that it is easy to travel with. My boyfriend and I recently went on a staycation to a cabin by the lake… Our first trip since the pandemic started! Compared to lugging around my electric toothbrush, a bamboo toothbrush is much easier to travel with. It’s a good thing I kept an old travel toothbrush case from many years ago too – a bamboo toothbrush fits perfectly in any case made for any other toothbrush.
Lastly, it is easy to compost your bamboo toothbrush when finished. For The Humble Co brushes (affiliate link), all you need to do is rip out the bristles and then compost the bamboo! Easy peasy. I’ve seen others where you can compost the whole thing or send them back to the company to be recycled. A few weeks ago I actually saw a toothbrush with replacable heads – how neat! Compared to plastic toothbrushes, there is much less waste; a win-win!
What I Dislike About My Bamboo Toothbrush
Sure, a bamboo toothbrush might be a bit more expensive compared to a “normal” one. However, I personally don’t think the difference is big enough to be a con in this bamboo toothbrush review. After using my toothbrush for awhile, the only thing I can say is that the bristles are on the harder side. This doesn’t really bother me that much, but I know some people like their toothbrush bristles to be softer for less abrasive brushing. As a reminder, I only have experience with this brand of bamboo toothbrushes; I’m sure you can find others with the level of hardness/softness you desire!
Final Thoughts
Overall, I will conclude this bamboo toothbrush review by recommending you all try one out! 🪥 They are an easy (and cheap) eco-friendly swap you can make in your bathroom. I have found that they brush extremely well, can be composted, and increase the “zero waste aesthetic” in your house. While they might be a little more expensive, I believe they are totally worth it. Have you tried out a bamboo toothbrush yet?
Love,
Jenna ♥