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How to Clean a Broom to Make It Last Longer

 
Mary Smith
By Mary Smith. May 12, 2021
How to Clean a Broom to Make It Last Longer

The broom is one of our basic weapons in our home cleaning arsenal. With it we can collect dust, sweep up dirt and sweep up large areas easily. It works due to the bristles on the broom head which pushes dirt around. However, much of this dirt gets stuck in the brush. Hair and lint, in particular, can wrap themselves around the bristles and can be tricky to remove. The longer we leave cleaning the broom, the harder it will be to clean in the future. This is why it is recommended we clean it after every use.

oneHOWTO shows you how to clean a broom to make it last longer. We provide practical tips to cleaning a broom head so it won't make your floors dirtier than before you started sweeping.

Contents

  1. Why is it important to keep the broom clean?
  2. How to clean a plastic broom head
  3. How to clean a squeegee broom (rubber broom)

Why is it important to keep the broom clean?

Regardless of the size or shape of the broom and also the material from which the bristles of the broom head (the brush part) are made, keeping it clean is essential for it to fulfill its function. This function is to collect dirt in order to create a healthy and hygienic environment in the home.

Sweeping with a broom that accumulates debris of all kinds can mean you end up carrying and spreading dirt from one room to another. When you do it, you promote the possibility of spreading germs around the home. If you have kids, this can be particular unhygienic.

It is important to know how to clean the broom head because this is where the most harmful elements can remain These include mites hiding in errant hair, bacteria from decomposing food or dirt carried from the outside. Maintaining proper hygiene on the broom itself is essential. We should also periodically wip down the broom handle as germs from our hands can decrease hygiene in the home.

How to clean a plastic broom head

For decades, bristles made of synthetic material have replaced those of natural origin. Synthetic broom head made from plastic material are the most used in the home. Not only are they cheaper and easier to make, their resistant material means they are actually easier to clean. It is a simple process which you should carry out after each use. However, if you do not have time do this, you should clean and sanitize the broom at least once a week.

The first thing we need to do to clean a broom head is to remove hairs from the brush. If is very common for these to accumulate without you even noticing. When you are done sweeping, follow these easy steps to remove hair, lint and other material from the broom bristles:

  1. Hit the broom against the ground so that the loosest dirt falls away under its own weight. Put a newspaper or an old cloth under it so you can collect and throw away the debris that is falling.
  2. Rest the broom somewhere high such as the balcony railing or the back of a chair. Put on rubber gloves and, with your hands, remove tangled hair and lint that you detect with the naked eye.
  3. Finally, using a small comb with separated teeth, comb the brush itself and get rid of any tangled hair. Go with the grain and only use this comb for the brush, it will not be hygienic enough to use on humans again.

Also, to clean the broom thoroughly from time to time, follow these steps:

  1. Fill a bucket or basin with lukewarm water and add a splash of dishwasher by hand.
  2. Unscrew the brush from the broomstick and soak it in the water for about 20-30 minutes.
  3. With the brush submerged, use your own gloved hands to remove visible dirt.
  4. After this time, take the brush out of the bucket and soak it again in clean water.
  5. Finally, remove it from the water and let it air dry. Do it first with the brush facing down, i.e. resting on the ground. After a few minutes, when it is already half dry, place it upright. Turning the broom the other way round will help the bristles stay straight and not become deformed.

If your broom is very dirty because it has retained substances such as grease, spilled liquids, food remains, etc. when sweeping, you will need something stronger to sanitize the broom head. A good trick is to add a few drops of bleach, ammonia or even white vinegar to the water bucket. All will provide a disinfectant action on the brush, degreasing it. sanitizing it and helping to remove harmful bacteria.

Ammonia is not only great for cleaning brushes. It can also be used to clean the carpets and wooden surfaces in the home.

How to Clean a Broom to Make It Last Longer - How to clean a plastic broom head

How to clean a squeegee broom (rubber broom)

Squeegee brooms (also known as rubber brooms) are especially useful and effective when it comes to sweeping up the most stubborn dirt. This is because they work at dirt embedded in the floor. Sweeping particularly dirty areas such as the garage (where oil often soaks into concrete floors) or the garden is easier when using these brooms. To know how to clean a squeegee broom, follow these steps:

  1. Wet the rubber broom head in a bucket with warm water or, if possible, directly with the help of a high-pressure hose.
  2. If your broom is very dirty, apply neutral soap to it. You can also remove the dirt with a soft scouring pad or cloth.
  3. Rinse with clean water to remove the soap.
  4. Remove excess water with a dry cloth and allow the rubber brush to finish drying in the open air, but protected from direct sunlight.

As in the previous case, if you need to sanitize the broom more thoroughly, you can use bleach, ammonia or apple cider vinegar. Take a look at this article to know how to clean safely using bleach.

Cleaning your broom is only one of the ways we can help to clean our home clean and sanitized. It is also very important, and often a little more difficult, to clean your mop. Our article on how to best clean your mop will help you learn more. Our article on how to clean a bagless vacuum cleaner will also help you to ensure you have a safe and clean home.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Clean a Broom to Make It Last Longer, we recommend you visit our Home cleaning category.

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How to Clean a Broom to Make It Last Longer