How to Clean a Broom? | Stop The Grime

Cleaning a broom means removing trapped debris, washing the bristles with warm water and mild dish soap, rinsing fully, and letting it air-dry completely.

Your broom sweeps up crumbs, pet hair, and dust, and then sits in a corner storing all of that. A dirty broom just pushes grime around your floors, so giving it a proper wash every few weeks keeps both your home and your tool in better shape. A clean broom also lasts far longer, and the process takes about ten minutes of active work.

Why Your Broom Needs A Real Wash

Built-up hair and dust wedge deep between the bristles, which stops the broom from making solid contact with the floor. That trapped grime can also hold onto odors and bacteria, especially if the broom has been used in a kitchen or bathroom. A quick tap against the curb helps, but the bristles hold onto finer particles that only water and soap can release.

The Step-By-Step Cleaning Process

Start by removing loose debris. Pull out strands of hair and fibers with your fingers or a comb, then tap the broom head against a sturdy surface to shake loose the rest. Skipping this first step makes the wash less effective, because water alone struggles to lift dense clumps of dust.

Fill a sizable bucket with warm water and add about two tablespoons of mild dish soap. Submerge the broom head and let it soak. The right soak time depends on the bristle material: plastic and synthetic bristles tolerate up to 30 minutes, while natural-fiber and straw brooms should soak only about 15 minutes to avoid weakening, fraying, or bending.

Gently scrub the bristles with your hands or a soft brush if any grime remains, then rinse the head under running water until every trace of soap is gone. Soap residue attracts more dirt, so a thorough rinse protects your next sweep. Shake off the excess water.

Dry the broom completely before storing it. Lean it against a wall with the bristles pointing down or hang it in a well-ventilated area, and keep it out of direct sunlight, which can make some bristles brittle. A fully dry broom avoids both odors and bent bristles.

Handle Cleaning And Disinfecting

While the head soaks, wipe down the handle with a disinfecting wipe or warm soapy water. The handle touches your hands every time you sweep, so it carries its own share of grime.

If the broom was used in a germy area like a bathroom, add a drop or two of bleach to the soaking solution. Mild soap is all a normal kitchen-dust broom needs; harsh chemicals can damage bristles.

Bristle Material: The Key To Soak Time

Synthetic and plastic bristles shrug off longer soaks without issue, while natural fibers like straw or horsehair absorb water heavily, which weakens the bristle base and causes fraying. A cautious rule: if your broom uses natural fibers, keep the wash short and gentle, about 15 minutes max, and avoid soaking the head fully. Some cleaning guides skip the soak entirely for these brooms and simply wet the bristle tips for a quick wash. This prevents the bristles from losing their shape and keeps your broom sweeping evenly for years. When your broom eventually wears out or struggles on thick pet fur, a dedicated broom built for heavy hair pickup is worth the upgrade.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Brooms

Most broom damage comes from a few avoidable habits. Soaking natural-fiber bristles too long leaves them bent and weak. Storing the broom while it is still damp creates musty odors and can warp the bristles. Skipping the initial dry debris removal leaves hair trapped deep, making the wash barely effective. Leaving soap residue behind attracts fresh dirt on your next sweep. Hanging or resting the broom in a way that bends the bristles permanently misshapes them. A broom with a detachable head is easier to clean, but the method works the same either way.