Used toothbrushes are useful for cleaning guns, but if you cut off the head, you can shape the shaft to make all kinds of tools (scrapers, for example) that won't damage your gun's finish. If the handle of your old toothbrush is brightly colored, it will also help keep it from getting lost on top of your bench. We save all of our old socks - especially the infamous "orphan socks", and they are useful as temporary "gun rugs", as well as scope covers. If I'm working on a gun, for example my Ruger MkII, I'll put the upper in one old sock, and put othe small parts in a ziplock bag, which then goes into another old sock. This helps keep the receiver from getting scratched up, and parts from getting lost. Even though it embarresses my son, I also use an orphan sock to hold loose ammo, especially .22lr, when we are going to the range.

Best of luck,

Dave