Why Does the Toothbrush Cup Always Leave a Puddle?

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The toothbrushes go back in the cup after brushing, and everyone leaves the bathroom. Nothing appears to be wrong.

Then the cup gets moved. Underneath is a wet ring, complete except for the narrow stream making its way towards the sink. The cup is lifted with one hand while the other reaches for a cloth. Counter wiped and base dried. Cup returned to exactly the spot where it will begin making the next puddle.

By evening, the water is back. It does not take a dripping toothbrush to cause it. A few drops run down each handle and disappear into the cup. More collect around the base. The cup sits there looking innocent while the counter underneath slowly changes its mind about being dry.

Putting the toothbrushes down on the counter is no better. Now each one leaves its own wet line, and someone inevitably puts a sleeve or the side of a hand in it.

Drying every handle before putting it away works in theory. In practice, the toothbrush goes into the cup while the toothpaste cap is still missing and someone else is waiting for the sink.

Give the Drips Somewhere to Go

A toothbrush holder with drainage deals with the water instead of relying on everyone to remember it.

The toothbrushes stay above a removable lower section, so the drips collect somewhere that can be emptied and rinsed. No more lifting the holder and finding that it has spent the morning sitting in its own little moat.

It still needs cleaning, but the difference is that the wet part can be removed instead of being found by accident after the puddle has escaped onto the counter.

The same thing happens when a wet sponge sits in the water draining from it. A sponge holder that keeps the sponge above the collected water gives the drips somewhere to go without turning the sink edge into another storage project.

Brushes are just as bad when they’re left lying flat, leaving wet handles all over the counter. A holder that gives sponges and brushes separate places to drain keeps that mess contained in one spot.

The useful test comes the next time the new toothbrush holder is moved. Instead of finding a wet ring underneath, the counter is dry, and there is nothing waiting to be wiped up.