Looking for a decent bottle brush

[N3Bruce]

I have a problem finding a good bottle brush these days. A few years ago, the LHBS I normally deal with changed their bottle brushes for the worse. What is worse, other LHBSs in the area seem to get their brushes from the same place. I have an old brush that still works fine, but the new ones use coarser bristles made of a plastic that doesn't really return to the proper shape, and are worthless after a few bottles.

The LHBS was sympathetic, I am not the only one who has complained. They said they get their brushes from the same place they always have. I asked them to look into an alternate source, but I don't see any change on their shelves yet. Has anyone found a good brush lately, and can post a link here?

 

[unionrdr]

I have the same brush I started with. I also don't use it with very hot to boiling water. Being nylon monofilament, the bristles will warp from the heat. I got mine from JW Dover, but Midwest, NB, Morebeer, etc should have the same thing. I also have a roll around cart with a wood top & hooks on one end to hang things from. So I keep my brushes, paddles, etc hung up so the brushes have a better chance of retaining their shape.

 

[IslandLizard]

You've brought up an excellent point. Things aren't made as well as before anymore. It's happening all around us, and been going on for at least 3 decades.

I still use my 7-year old bottle brush, which is probably the better, older model. The new ones look crappy indeed. I think BSG and LD Carlton are the main sundry suppliers for LHBSs, so the same crap shows up everywhere.

I found baby bottle brushes at the Dollar Tree that are decent, bristle-wise, but really too short for our bottles. They come with a nipple brush on the other end, which is great. The only drawback is the twisted wire stem bends easily, and after straightening out a few times the nipple brush breaks off, making it even shorter. Perhaps the brush parts could be mounted on a dowel or other handle instead?

Perhaps lab equipment suppliers? Be prepared to pay top $$$, though.