The 2-Minute Trick That Will Make Your Old Broom Work a Million Times Better
Sweeping the floor is a chore that many people often relegate to the realm of “old-fashioned” — mainly because we have newer, better ways to clean floors, like cordless vacuums, microfiber mops, and even robots that can clean the floors for you.
But sweeping has its perks. Namely: You can get large items without clogging your machines. These days at my house, it’s broken crayons, pieces of cut-off popsicle sticks, and pine straw from the backyard. So I often find myself reaching for the broom before I vacuum, and I’ve come to appreciate this simple, classic tool more and more.
In fact, I’ve been using my broom so much that I’ve had to learn how to clean it more regularly. (It’s easy to do: I just fill my utility sink with some water and a bit of dish soap, swish the broom bristles around in it, and then set it to dry in the sun.) But even with regular cleaning, eventually, the bristles get worn down, dulled, and bent. That sharp angle and those crisp bristles that you love for coaxing all the crumbs and fur out of hiding don’t work so well anymore. You might think it’s time to invest in a new one. But not so fast!
Refresh Your Broom’s Dull, Bent Bristles with a “Haircut”
Before you toss out your old broom thinking that’s it’s well past its prime, try giving your broom’s bristles a little haircut to make it just as good as new. Think about it: Those frayed bristles are a lot like split ends. All they need is a trim!
Here’s how to do it: After cleaning your broom and waiting for it to dry, grab some sturdy scissors — utility shears are great for this — and cut across the bristles, one section at a time. You’ll want to aim to cut just past the frayed ends — maybe a half an inch or so, but it depends on your broom. Also, make sure you’re cutting an even amount from each section of bristles. (A wide-toothed comb can be helpful here — just like you’re cutting hair!) This way, you’re sure to preserve the angled edge of your broom, if it has one.
In a few minutes, your broom will be ready to bust dust bunnies better than ever, and you will have saved the landfill from one more broom with plenty of life left.
This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: This 2-Minute Trick Will Make Your Old Broom Work A Million Times Better