Eco-friendly cleaning brushes: bristles, handles and replaceable heads

Bristles and handles

• Plant fibers: sisal, coconut fiber and agave are stiff and are used on pots and tough jobs. Check the label for what the maker states.
• Natural bristles: the word can mean plant fiber or animal hair, such as boar. If you want to avoid animal-derived materials, look for a vegan label or ask.
• Nylon and other synthetic bristles: hold their shape and dry quickly. They are plastic.
• Handles: wood, bamboo, metal and plastic. A handle with a finish may last longer in wet use.
• Replaceable heads: you keep the handle and replace the head, which means less material is thrown away.
• Surface suitability: check the label, since a stiff brush can scratch some surfaces, such as non-stick pans or glass.

Care

• Rinse and let the brush dry with the bristles up or hanging, so that it does not stay wet.
• Replace a brush when bristles are flattened, frayed or discolored.
• Keep a separate brush for different jobs, such as dishes and the bathroom.

Our angle: cost per month, and what you throw away

A cheap brush you replace often can cost more than a pricier one that lasts, and a replaceable-head design changes the math again. Estimate how long each type lasts in your home, and divide the price by the number of months. For replaceable heads, add the handle price once and then count heads. Use the same schedule for each product. Then look at what is thrown away at the end: a whole brush, or only a head.

1. Estimate the months a brush or head lasts.
2. Divide the price by that number.
3. For replaceable heads, add the handle once and spread it over the heads.