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Sure, your bathroom might be spotless, but your toothbrush? Not so much. Turns out that no matter how clean we keep the facilities, our toothbrushes are magnets for germs: if kept on the counter, they're likely to be contaminated by airborne post-flush nasties from the toilet, and if kept in a cupboard or a case, the moisture serves as a breeding ground for bacteria. (On an episode of the Discovery Channel's MythBusters, the hosts found that 100 percent of the toothbrushes they tested were positive for fecal germs—even the ones kept in a cupboard!) And if that's the case at home, we don't even want to think about what happens at the gym locker room, in the office bathroom, or in a hotel.
Luckily, just in time for summer travel, VIOlight has introduced iZap, a compact sanitizer that uses UV technology to safely kill up to 99.9 percent of the germs and bacteria found on toothbrushes. The process is easy: Place the brush in the case, close the lid, and let the UV bulb—the same technology used in hospitals and dental offices—go to work; the whole thing takes about six minutes. You should still change your toothbrush seasonally—and after you've had any type of viral infection like a cold or flu—but use of the iZap will help ward off harmful bacteria and cross-contamination whether you're at home or on the go.
Available in blue, orange or clear, the ultra-portable, battery-operated cases work with most regular and electric brushes, and are outfitted with blubs good for 8,000 hours of use. The iZap retails for $19.95 (including a free toothbrush) at Walgreens and Linens N Things stores nationwide, and online at www.violight.com.
--Sandra Ramani
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