You unbox your electric spin scrubber and find four different brush heads staring back at you. A flat one, a pointy one, a round one, and a soft one. The instruction manual shows a picture of each but does not explain when to use one over another in a real cleaning scenario.

This is where most people make their first mistake. They grab whichever head looks right, use it on every surface, and either scratch something they should not have or wonder why the scrubber is not working as well as promised. The brush head is where the cleaning actually happens. Choosing the right one for each surface is the difference between a tool that transforms your routine and one that sits in a closet.

Understanding Bristle Types and Their Purpose

Before matching heads to surfaces, it helps to understand what makes each brush different beyond its shape.

Stiff Bristles

Dense, rigid nylon bristles that maintain their shape under pressure. These are found on flat and cone brush heads. They excel at removing caked-on grime, soap scum, and mineral deposits from hard surfaces. The trade-off is that they can scratch soft or polished materials like acrylic, polished marble, and glass.

Medium Bristles

A balanced option found on round brush heads. Firm enough to clean effectively but flexible enough to conform to curved surfaces without gouging. Ideal for bathtubs, sinks, and areas where you need scrubbing power without the risk of surface damage.

Soft Bristles

Fine, flexible bristles that spread out under light pressure. Found on the soft brush head attachment. They clean through gentle agitation rather than aggressive scrubbing. Use these on any surface where you would hesitate to use a rough sponge: glass, polished stone, chrome fixtures, and coated surfaces.

The Four Brush Heads Explained

Flat Brush Head

Best for: Floor tile, large wall tile, countertops, stovetops, outdoor furniture

Avoid on: Polished marble, acrylic tubs, glass

The flat brush head has the widest contact area, making it the fastest option for large surfaces. Its stiff bristles work in a circular scrubbing pattern that covers maximum ground per pass. At 450 RPM on the TUYU Electric Spin Scrubber, the flat brush can clean an entire bathroom floor in under five minutes.

Think of this as your default workhorse. If the surface is hard, flat, and not delicate, reach for this head first.

Cone Brush Head

Best for: Grout lines, crevices, around fixtures, drain edges, corner joints

Avoid on: Large flat surfaces (too slow), delicate finishes

The tapered cone shape is a precision tool. Its narrow tip fits into grout lines, the gap between a toilet base and the floor, and the crevice where your backsplash meets the counter. Anywhere two surfaces meet at an angle, the cone brush reaches what flat brushes cannot.

This is the attachment that makes an electric scrubber worth owning for most people. Grout cleaning by hand is the single most tedious bathroom task. The cone brush at 450 RPM reduces a 30-minute grout session to about 10 minutes with better results.

Round Brush Head

Best for: Bathtubs, sinks, curved surfaces, car wheels, pet bowls

Avoid on: Flat surfaces where the flat brush is more efficient

The dome-shaped round brush maintains even contact on curved surfaces. When you press a flat brush into a tub, only the edges make contact. The round brush conforms to the curve and distributes pressure across the entire surface area.

It is also the best option for sink basins and any fixture with rounded contours. The medium bristle stiffness means it cleans effectively without damaging enamel, ceramic, or porcelain surfaces.

Soft Brush Head

Best for: Glass shower doors, mirrors, chrome fixtures, polished stone, car paint

Avoid on: Heavy grout stains, caked-on grime (too gentle)

The soft brush is your finish tool. Use it after the heavy cleaning is done, or on surfaces that scratch easily. It excels at removing water spots from glass, polishing chrome to a shine, and buffing residue off polished countertops.

Many people skip this head entirely and wonder why their glass shower door still has spots after scrubbing. A stiff brush removes the heavy grime but leaves micro-scratches that trap water residue. The soft brush follows up and leaves a genuinely clean, smooth surface.

Surface-by-Surface Brush Selection Chart

Use this quick reference when you are standing in front of a mess and need to pick the right head immediately.

  • Ceramic tile (floor/wall): Flat brush
  • Grout lines: Cone brush
  • Porcelain bathtub: Round brush
  • Acrylic bathtub: Soft brush or round brush with light pressure
  • Glass shower door: Soft brush
  • Stainless steel sink: Round brush
  • Granite or marble counter: Soft brush only
  • Toilet exterior: Flat or round brush
  • Kitchen stovetop: Flat brush
  • Oven interior: Flat brush with degreaser
  • Car wheels: Round brush
  • Outdoor furniture: Flat brush
  • Fiberglass shower surround: Soft brush

Common Mistakes When Choosing Brush Heads

Using Stiff Bristles on Acrylic Tubs

Acrylic and fiberglass tub surrounds scratch easily. A single pass with a stiff flat brush can leave visible marks that trap dirt and make future cleaning harder. Always use the soft brush or the round brush with minimal pressure on these materials.

Using the Flat Brush on Grout

The flat brush covers grout lines but does not penetrate them. The bristles bridge across the narrow channels instead of reaching into them. You will clean the tile surface while the grout stays dirty, creating an odd contrast that makes the grout look worse than before you started.

Skipping the Soft Brush on Glass

Stiff bristles on glass create micro-abrasions that are invisible individually but collectively create a hazy, dull appearance. Over time, this damage becomes permanent. Use the soft brush on glass from day one, and your shower door will stay clear for years.

Never Replacing Worn Brush Heads

Bristles wear down with use. When they flatten and lose their upright shape, they lose cleaning effectiveness and can actually scratch surfaces they were previously safe on. Check your brush heads monthly and replace any that show visible deformation. The TUYU 4-Pack Brush Head Set makes replacement straightforward and economical.

Extending Brush Head Lifespan

A few simple habits can double the useful life of your brush attachments.

  • Rinse immediately after use: Cleaning solution left in the bristles causes them to stiffen and become brittle over time
  • Do not store wet: Shake off excess water and let brush heads air-dry before storing. Damp bristles in a closed cabinet develop mildew
  • Rotate between heads: Using the same head for every task wears it out faster. Match the head to the surface, and each one lasts longer
  • Do not press too hard: The 450 RPM motor does the work. Pressing hard bends bristles sideways and accelerates wear. Let the spin do the scrubbing

With proper selection and care, a set of four brush heads can last through six months to a year of regular use. That represents hundreds of cleaning sessions for a minimal investment. Match the right head to the right surface, and your spin scrubber will deliver consistently excellent results every time you pick it up.