For a while now, manufacturers of electrical and household appliances have had to make sure you can repair them. Parts must be available and products must no longer be completely glued shut. When an electric toothbrush broke down at Saskia's house, she thought: good time to see what the repair options are. A few years ago, before this European law was in place, repair was simply not possible. Good news: so now it does. We list our ideas for repairing an electric toothbrush.
Getting a broken electric toothbrush fixed
Since March 2021, stricter rules have applied to electrical and household appliances in the European Union through the so-called Ecodesign Directive. Since then, manufacturers must design certain products so that they can be taken apart with normal tools. Spare parts must also remain available to professional repairers for years. A new European repair law was added in 2024. It should make it easier for consumers to choose repair instead of replacement, even after the warranty period. Member States must incorporate these rules into their own legislation in the coming years. The goal is clear: less waste and appliances that last longer.
All those laws sound abstract, but with a broken electric toothbrush it suddenly becomes very concrete. Because if parts are available and a device can be opened, you suddenly do have a choice. Instead of going straight to the shop for a new one, first see what can be salvaged.
These are the most common problems with an electric toothbrush
If your electric toothbrush breaks down, it is often one of these things. If it stops charging, then the battery is usually the culprit. After a few years, it simply loses power. If the brush no longer does anything at all, no light and no vibration, then there may be a wire loose internally or the motor is worn out. If it suddenly makes a lot of noise or there is play on the pin where the brush head clicks on, often a small mechanical part is worn or loose. And moisture problems can cause corrosion, although this is not always the end of the story. Good to know: these are not rare defects. It is precisely the typical wear and tear problems that can often be dealt with. That is exactly why it pays to check what the problem is before buying a new one.
Get your electric toothbrush repaired here
We were curious to know how far those repair options really go. So we went looking. Is there anywhere you can go with a broken electric toothbrush? Or do you still have to rely on YouTube and a screwdriver? Good news: there are more options than you might think. Below, we list them for you.
Brush bear
A repair service that focuses entirely on electric toothbrushes from Braun Oral-B and Philips, among others. The idea is simple. You schedule a repair online, receive a shipping label and send your broken brush in an envelope. They fix it and send it back. You can often brush again within a few days. The costs are transparent. A repair costs 34 euros, including parts. For shipping and return, you pay a few euros extra, depending on the shipping option. If your toothbrush is really beyond repair, you only pay inspection costs. You get a one-year warranty on the repair. See more about Brush Bear.
MrAgain
MrAgain is not a repairer, but a platform that brings consumers and repairers together. You can compare different repairers on price, speed, warranty and reviews. Useful if you don't want to tinker yourself, but are looking for someone nearby who can fix your electric toothbrush. The platform offers toothbrushes from Braun Oral-B, Colgate and Philips Sonicare, among others, for repair, depending on the affiliated repairers in your area. You immediately see what the costs are and can make an appointment online. So no endless searching. See more about MrAgain.
Repair Café
Another fine option: the Repair Café. This is a local initiative where volunteers help you repair broken things. Think coffee makers, lamps, clothes, toys and yes, sometimes even electric toothbrushes. You take your broken appliance to a meeting in your neighbourhood. There, handy neighbours with tools and technical knowledge are waiting. Together, you look at what is wrong and whether it can be fixed. You usually pay nothing, sometimes a small voluntary contribution for coffee or parts. The great thing about a Repair Café is that you not only repair your toothbrush, but also learn something. See more about the Repair Café and find out when there is an event bi your area.
Fix your own electric toothbrush
If you are a bit handy, you can also get to work on repairing your electric toothbrush yourself. YouTube is full of tutorials explaining step by step how to open a particular model or replace a battery. On the website iFixit you will find comprehensive guides, often with photos and an estimate of the level of difficulty. This helps to decide whether you should start or not. In many cases, you can simply order parts from the manufacturer. Think of a new battery, a drive pin or a charging component. And sometimes you get lucky. Some manufacturers still offer free repair, even just outside the warranty period. So getting in touch can't hurt.
But perhaps the most important thing is this: check what is possible before you buy a new one. Chances are that your electric toothbrush can still do a second round just fine.
You might also find this interesting
- Also see: eco-friendly oral care? It's different than you think!
- Also see: More durable oral care from Rebloom Care.
- Also see: A more durable toothbrush from Smyle.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
