LONDON (AP) — Toothbrushes used to be simple, powered only by hand, so they never broke down. These days, rechargeable electric toothbrushes are becoming more and more popular because they make brushing easier and more efficient, but they are a headache when they no longer work properly.
Inside the waterproof housing of an electric toothbrush is a battery that powers a small motor that quickly spins or vibrates a replaceable brush head. Batteries are usually rechargeable but don’t last forever. The question of their longevity, and the repairability of toothbrushes as a whole, is the subject of numerous online forums.
If you’ve ever owned one, you’ve probably noticed that charging intervals are becoming more and more frequent. At some point, you might decide to throw it away, adding to the world’s growing pile of e-waste.
But all is not lost. You can pay someone else to fix it or, with online help, do it yourself. Here are some indications:
CAN I REPAIR MY ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH MYSELF?
Depending on the manufacturer, the answer is usually no. They warn people against disassembling the devices, saying it is dangerous or will void the warranty. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it yourself, repair advocates say.
You can find websites and YouTube channels dedicated to showing people how to repair their battery-powered brushes.
Toothbrush makers will say the devices aren’t “user-serviceable,” but that’s “patently false,” said Shahram Mokhtari, chief teardown engineer at iFixit, a rights advocacy group. the repair. “Some of these devices have very replaceable batteries,” and in most cases you just have to go inside the device and learn to do a little soldering or take it to someone who can do it, he said.
DIY solutions could soon become common practice. The European Union, a pioneer in global technology regulations, is developing rules for promote repair electrical appliances, while several states have introduced legislation on the right to repair.
HOW CAN I ACCESS THE BATTERY?
Each model is slightly different, but the Oral B and Philips Sonicare models – two of the most popular brands – can be taken apart using the same general procedure.
Most Oral B brushes can be opened by holding the toothbrush and charging cradle together, then twisting the cradle to remove the bottom cap. On some models, you may need to use the bracket as a lever to remove it.
The Philips Sonicare models are a little trickier. You will need something to remove the bottom cap, such as a small flat head screwdriver or a plastic tool known as a ” spudger.”
Regardless of the model, if it is too tight, some sites advise softening the plastic casing by placing the brush in hot water for a few minutes.
Once powered off, you’ll need to slide the electronic innards out of the case. You may first need to remove a metal or plastic ring on the brush head shaft. Next, push the pin against something hard to slide the motor assembly down. You…
