Yes, You Need to Clean Your Broom — Here’s How to Do It
I have two thoughts when it comes to brooms. One: You need to use them. (They’re much easier to pull out than even the fanciest cordless vacuums.) Two: Your broom needs to be cleaned once in a while. You wouldn’t wipe a dirty rag all around your countertops, right? So why would you use a dirty broom on your floors? You shouldn’t!
Maybe it’s been a while, or maybe you’ve never done it. It’s okay — you can do it now. The first step of cleaning your broom is to dislodge the dirt that’s stuck in the bristles but can be easily knocked off. Bang your broom (gently) against a fence, tree, or trash can. If you’re stuck inside, you can bang it against the inside of an empty (but lined) garbage can. Next, get in there a little deeper to pull out any hair that’s stuck. And then give the broom an actual cleaning. Let’s take a look at the simple-yet-effective steps!
How To Clean a Broom and Dustpan
What You Need
- A comb you can use for cleaning
- A bucket, utility sink, or empty storage bin
- Distilled white vinegar
- Dish soap
- A rag
- All-purpose cleaner
- Magic Eraser
Instructions
- Bang dust out of the broom: Gently hit your broom against a post or trash can, or something similar outdoors, if you can. If you don’t have outdoor space, you can bang it inside an empty (but lined) trash can.
- Brush out the broom: Use a comb to help dislodge hair, thread, and other debris that could be wrapped around the bristles of your brush.
- Make your cleaning solution: Mix one cup of vinegar and one small squirt of dish soap into warm water in a bucket, utility sink, or empty storage bin.
- Soak the broom: Place the brush in the bucket, swish it around, and then let it soak for half an hour.
- Wipe down the handle: Wipe the handle of the broom with a rag and all-purpose cleaner or a vinegar solution.
- Clean the dust pan: Rinse out the dust pan and wipe it with a rag. You may as well, right?
- Rinse the broom: Remove the broom from the cleaning solution and rinse with cool water.
- Let the broom dry: Set the broom upside down to drip dry in the shower or outside.