Cute Bracelets from Old Toothbrushes

How to make a simple bracelet from old toothbrushes. The toothbrush bracelets are cute both from solid color toothbrushes and from child's toothbrushes with cartoon characters or fun patterns. If you get toothbrushes from a dollar store or sale, they can also be cheap to do in bulk (but expensive if you pay going rate). Unless you're just really dexterous, you'll need a friend to help mold the bracelet.

Shopping List

  • A toothbrush - thin ones work better than thick, and some are more difficult to bend than others
  • Paper towels or newspaper
  • Pliers
  • Kitchen tongs
  • A pot of boiling water

Removing the bristles

Leave the toothbrush in the boiling water for a short time, then pull it out with the tongs. Use the pliers to pull the bristles out. It can take a lot of force--be careful not to bend or break the toothbrush while getting out the bristles. With a little practice, you should be able to find the perfect temperature that makes it easier to remove bristles without the toothbrush being too easily bendable.

I want to apologize up front about the picture quality. My camera hates small things.

Creating the Bracelet

Throw the toothbrush back in the boiling water, and let it get soft again. Wrap your arm in paper towels or newspaper. Be liberal with the amount you use--it's there to protect you from boiling water. Use the tongs to pull the toothbrush back out, and give it a quick shake to get rid of most of the dripping water. Wrap the toothbrush around your protected arm. Be careful to leave enough room that you'll be able to get the bracelet on and off. If the bracelet is resistant to being molded, and you think it's going to break, try to put it back in the boiling water for a while (take it off your arm first).

Steps by Picture

Pulling bristles from the toothbrush

Boil the toothbrush for a while, then use pliers to pull out bristles.

Toothbrush in boiling water

A shot of the toothbrush boiling.

Wrap your arm up in paper towel.

More toothbrush in boiling water

Amusingly, this isn't the first time I've used pliers to remove something from boiling water. At least this time it wasn't something edible.

The toothbrush bracelet

It took me a few trips back into the boiling water to fully bend the toothbrush around my arm.

Toothbrush bracelet on my arm

A finished bracelet shot.

Last toothbrush bracelet shot

The opening that you slip over your wrist.