Do I need to soak the toothbrush cup holder before cleaning?

Whether to soak the toothbrush cup holder before cleaning mainly depends on the material of the cup holder, the severity of stains, and the cleaning method used.
Generally speaking, for most toothbrush cup holders made of materials such as plastic, stainless steel, or ceramic, if there are only slight dust or water stains on the surface, they can be directly wiped or rinsed with cleaning agents or disinfectants without prior soaking. However, if stubborn stains, toothpaste residue, or bacterial growth accumulate on the cup holder, soaking beforehand may be more effective.
The main purpose of soaking is to soften stains, making them easier to remove with cleaning agents and physical friction. For plastic cup holders, they can be soaked in warm water or a solution with a small amount of white vinegar, which has antibacterial and stain removing properties. For stainless steel or ceramic cup holders, a mild cleaning solution can be used for soaking.
It should be noted that the soaking time should not be too long to avoid damaging the cup holder material or making the stains more stubborn. At the same time, after soaking, it should be thoroughly rinsed with clean water and wiped dry with a clean cloth or tissue to avoid bacterial growth caused by residual moisture.