Your broom is like a trusty cleaning companion that helps you keep your place spick and span. However, since they’re used to reach the dirtiest nooks and crannies in your home, they need to be cleaned as well from time to time.
Here’s how to make your house broom super clean along with a few tips and tricks to maximize it’s useful life.
List of Things You’ll Need
Before you start cleaning, it’s important to note down the things you might need. Here’s a list of them:
A clean comb or an old hairbrush
A large bucket or a sink
White vinegar
Mild dish soap
A clean cloth or sponge
Your favorite all-purpose cleaner
So, have you gathered everything you require to wash your broom? Then, let’s go to the next part of this guide.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Clean A Broom
Now that you’ve gotten whatever you need, you can finally proceed to the cleaning process. Below is a step-by-step guide you should follow to ensure a thorough and meticulous cleaning of your handy tool.
Step 1: Shake Off Any Dirt
Firstly, you must take your broom outdoors and shake off any loose debris and dust particles that might cling to the bristles of your broom.
Alternatively, you could tap the broom against the sides of the garbage can and dislodge the dirt.
Step 2: Use a Brush For A More Thorough Cleaning
Next, grab a brush and begin running it through the broom.
The key is to reach into each and every corner and crevice between the bristles to ensure that no entangled hair and threads remain.
Step 3: Wash Your Broom With a Vinegar & Dish Soap Solution
Now it’s time to prepare a rather straightforward cleaning solution with the things you use in your everyday life.
Mix warm water with a cup of plain vinegar and a small squirt of dish soap in a bucket or utility sink. Vinegar is excellent for eliminating odors, while the soap tackles grease and grime. Swish the liquid around to make sure that everything is well combined.
Dip the broom head into the bucket, ensuring the bristles are fully submerged. Swirl it around a bit to loosen any stubborn dirt. Then, leave it to soak for about half an hour.
Step 4: Clean the Broom’s Handle
While the broom bristles are soaking, turn your attention to the handle.
Use a clean rag spritzed with all-purpose cleaner to wipe down the handle. This removes any build-up of oils from your hands.
Many people usually skip this step because they don’t deem it too important but I urge you to clean the stick regularly as well.
Step 5: Rinse the Broom Until It’s Clean
After the broom has soaked, rinse the bristles with cool water. This washes away the vinegar and soap mixture along with any remaining dirt.
Turn off the faucet once you notice that the water is running clear. This indicates that the brush is completely clean.
Step 6: Dry It Up
Lastly, you must remember to dry the broom to prevent any mildew build-up or musty smells.
Place it bristle-side down in a spot with good air circulation, or let it air dry outside. This position helps water drip away and speeds up the drying process.
Don’t Forget the Dustpan!
Cleaning your dustpan is just as important as washing your broom.
Start by rinsing the underside and the part that holds the dirt thoroughly to get rid of any loose dirt. Then, take a cloth or sponge, apply some cleaner, and wipe the dustpan.
Now, both of your tools are cleaned and ready for yet another sweeping session.
Easy Tips for Broom Upkeep
Contrary to popular belief, maintaining a broom doesn’t only entail the cleaning process. There are other crucial factors that homeowners must consider as well as far as their broom is concerned. Here are a couple of of them:
Trim the Bristles
Sometimes the bristles of your broom can get frayed. This results in them becoming relatively ineffective at cleaning flat surfaces let alone uneven ones. This is why you must trim it with a pair of scissors from time to time.
After washing your broom, grab hold of its bristles and carefully cut across them, making sure they’re nicely leveled and even. Now, you can use them as much as you want without bothering about some dirt being left behind.
This tip is crucial to remember as it helps extend the amount of time your broom can be used. So make sure to do this whenever your broom seems worn out.
If your old broom doesn’t seem salvageable, replace it with a new one right away.
Store The Broom Safely
Cleaning a broom is a great way to maintain it but storing it properly is an essential consideration as well. Keep your broom in dry areas like a secluded storage unit in your kitchen or bedroom or a garden shed.
Another useful tip to remember is to keep the broom in an upright position. This can help it last longer as it ensures that it’s bristles are straight and in good shape when the broom’s not being used.
You could also install a broom holder or a hook to designate a place for your tool.
The Magic of a Vacuum Cleaner
It goes without saying that you can’t always rely on a broom when it comes to cleaning every surface.
Therefore, I’d advise you to invest in a handheld cordless vacuum. These are convenient, easy-to-use, and surprisingly affordable.
Just turn them on, run them across a surface, and watch as all the dust and crumbs from your couch and rugs get sucked in. Soon, the floors and walls of your home will look as good as the amount of effort you put into cleaning it.
Get Ready to Make Your Old Broom Super Clean!
So that concludes this guide to cleaning your broom. I hope this made broom maintenance seem much easier than people normally make it out to be.
With a little bit of effort, you’ll soon be back to sweeping your dirty floors the right way with a clean and spotless broom. Aim to clean it at least once every month, and you should be good to go.
