How to Clean a Broom and Make It Last Longer

Cleaning a broom the right way keeps your floors cleaner and helps your broom last much longer. This guide explains how to clean a broom step by step, whether it’s straw, corn, push, or synthetic. You’ll learn how to remove hair and dust, wash and disinfect bristles, dry and store your broom, and fix common problems like bent or smelly bristles.

Key Takeaways

• Point 1: Regularly cleaning a broom removes trapped dirt, dust, and hair so you are not spreading grime around your floors.
• Point 2: Different broom types (straw, corn, push, synthetic) need slightly different cleaning methods to avoid damage.
• Point 3: Always remove loose debris first, then wash, rinse, and fully dry the broom to prevent mold and bad smells.
• Point 4: Proper storage, like hanging the broom or standing it on the handle, keeps bristles straight and extends its life.
• Point 5: Disinfecting a broom is important in kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas to cut down on germs.
• Point 6: Simple tools like a comb, bucket, mild soap, and scissors make it easy to clean a broom at home.
• Point 7: With regular care and the right technique, you can make a broom last much longer and sweep more effectively.

Introduction: Why You Should Clean a Broom

A broom looks simple, but it does a lot of dirty work. Every time you sweep, dust, hair, crumbs, and grit get trapped in the bristles. If you never clean a broom, all that mess builds up. Then, instead of cleaning your floor, your broom just pushes dirt around.

Learning how to clean a broom is easy and worth the effort. A clean broom sweeps better, lasts longer, and keeps your home healthier. In this guide, you will learn how to clean a broom step by step, no matter what type you own. We will cover straw brooms, corn brooms, push brooms, and synthetic brooms. You will also learn how to disinfect, dry, and store your broom the right way.

By the end, you will know exactly how to clean a broom and how to make it last much longer with simple, quick routines.

Step 1: Identify Your Broom Type

Before you clean a broom, you need to know what kind you have. Different broom materials react differently to water and cleaning products. When you know your broom type, you can choose the safest method.

Straw or Corn Brooms

These are traditional brooms made from natural plant fibers. They are often tied with string and have a rustic look. They are great for sweeping dry dirt, but they do not like to stay wet for long. When you clean a broom made of straw or corn, you must be gentle and careful with water.

Push Brooms

Push brooms have a wide head and are often used in garages, patios, and large rooms. The bristles can be natural or synthetic. Many push brooms can handle more water and scrubbing. When you clean a broom like this, you usually focus on the bristle block and the underside of the head.

Synthetic Indoor Brooms

These have plastic or nylon bristles and are common in modern homes. They often come in bright colors and have flexible bristles that trap fine dust. When you clean a broom with synthetic bristles, you can usually wash it with soap and water without damage.

Specialty Brooms

Some brooms are made for specific jobs, like angle brooms, rubber brooms, or outdoor yard brooms. Most of these are synthetic and can be washed. Always check the label if you still have it. If not, treat it like a synthetic broom unless it is clearly made from straw or corn.

Step 2: Gather Your Cleaning Supplies

To clean a broom properly, you only need a few simple tools. Most of these are items you already have at home.

• Bucket – for soaking or rinsing the broom head.
• Mild dish soap – to remove grease and grime.
• Warm water – not boiling, just comfortably warm.
• Comb or old hairbrush – to pull out hair and lint.
• Scissors – for cutting off stubborn tangles.
• White vinegar or disinfectant – to kill germs and odors.
• Old towel – to catch drips and help with drying.
• Rubber gloves – optional, to protect your hands.

Once you have these ready, you can move on to the main steps and learn how to clean a broom from top to bottom.

Step 3: Remove Loose Debris from the Bristles

The first step when you clean a broom is always to get rid of loose dirt. This makes washing faster and keeps your sink or bucket from getting too dirty.

Shake Out the Broom

Take the broom outside or over a trash can. Hold it by the handle and hit the bristles gently against the side of the can or a wall. Do this a few times to knock out dust and crumbs. For a push broom, tap the sides and the top of the head as well.

Use a Comb or Brush

Next, use a comb, old hairbrush, or even a gloved hand to pull out hair and lint. Start at the base of the bristles and work toward the tips. This is especially important when you clean a broom used in homes with pets or long hair. Take your time, as hair can wrap tightly around the bristles.

Cut Away Stubborn Tangles

If you find clumps that will not come loose, use scissors. Hold the bristles firmly and snip away only the tangled area. Try not to cut too much, or you may create uneven bristles. This step alone can make a broom sweep much better, even before washing.

Step 4: How to Clean a Broom with Water and Soap

Now it is time to wash the broom. How you clean a broom with water depends on whether it is natural or synthetic.

For Synthetic Brooms and Push Brooms

Synthetic bristles are tough and can handle a good wash. This is how to clean a broom made of plastic or nylon bristles.

• Fill a bucket with warm water.
• Add a few drops of dish soap and stir to make suds.
• Place the broom head in the bucket so that the bristles are fully covered.
• Swish the broom around in the soapy water to loosen dirt.
• Use your hands or a brush to scrub the bristles if they are very dirty.

Let the broom soak for 10–15 minutes if there is heavy grime or sticky spills. This helps break down grease and dirt deep inside the bristles.

For Straw or Corn Brooms

When you clean a broom made of straw or corn, you need to be gentle. Too much soaking can weaken the fibers and make them break.

• Fill a bucket with cool or lukewarm water, not hot.
• Add a small amount of mild soap, just enough to create light bubbles.
• Dip only the bristles in and out of the water a few times instead of soaking.
• Use your hands to lightly rub the bristles to remove dirt.

Avoid soaking a straw broom for more than a couple of minutes. The goal is to clean a broom without letting it absorb too much water.

Cleaning the Broom Head and Handle

While you clean a broom, do not forget the handle and the area where the bristles attach. These parts can collect dust, grease, and germs from your hands.

• Wipe the handle with a soapy cloth or sponge.
• Pay attention to the top of the broom head where dirt can sit.
• If the handle is sticky, scrub it lightly and rinse with a damp cloth.

Step 5: Rinse and Disinfect Your Broom

After washing, the next part of how to clean a broom is rinsing away soap and adding a disinfecting step if needed.

Rinsing the Bristles

Hold the broom under running water in a tub, sink, or outside with a hose. Use your fingers to separate the bristles so water reaches the inner layers. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear and no soap bubbles remain. This is important when you clean a broom because leftover soap can attract more dirt.

Disinfecting with Vinegar or Cleaner

If you use the broom in kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoor areas, it is wise to disinfect it regularly.

• White vinegar method: Mix one part white vinegar with three parts water in a bucket. Dip the bristles and swish for a few minutes.
• Disinfectant cleaner: Use a disinfectant safe for plastic or wood. Follow the label instructions for dilution and contact time.

Disinfecting is a key part of how to clean a broom if you want to cut down on germs and odors, especially after sweeping up food, pet messes, or damp debris.

Step 6: Dry the Broom Properly

Drying is one of the most important steps when you clean a broom. If the broom stays wet, it can grow mold, smell bad, and the bristles can warp.

Shake Off Excess Water

Take the broom outside or over a tub. Shake it firmly to remove as much water as possible. For a push broom, tap it gently against a surface to help water drip out from the base.

Dry Bristles Facing Down

Always dry the broom with the bristles hanging down. You can:

• Hang the broom on a hook by the handle.
• Place it over a railing or clothesline with the bristles facing down.
• Stand it upside down with the handle on the floor and the bristles in the air.

Air should flow around the bristles. This helps them dry faster and keeps their shape. When you clean a broom, never leave it sitting on its bristles while they are wet.

Avoid Sun and Heat Damage

Dry the broom in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Direct hot sun for many hours can make plastic brittle and can dry out natural straw. Do not use a hair dryer or place the broom near a heater. Slow, natural drying is best to protect the bristles.

Step 7: Store Your Broom to Make It Last Longer

Knowing how to clean a broom is only half the job. Proper storage is what really makes your broom last.

Hang the Broom

The best way to store a broom is to hang it by the handle. Many brooms have a hole at the top for this reason. Hanging keeps the bristles off the ground, so they do not bend, splay, or collect dust. This simple habit can add months to the life of your broom.

Stand It on the Handle

If you cannot hang the broom, stand it upside down. Put the handle on the floor and let the broom head point up. This avoids pressure on the bristles. When you clean a broom and then stand it this way, the bristles stay straight and ready for the next use.

Keep It Dry and Protected

Store the broom in a dry place, away from constant moisture. Avoid leaving it outside in the rain or in very damp basements. Moisture can cause mold on natural bristles and rust on metal parts. If you use the broom outdoors, bring it back inside or into a shed after use.

How Often Should You Clean a Broom?

How often you clean a broom depends on how much you use it and where. Here are simple guidelines:

• Light use indoors: Clean a broom every 2–4 weeks.
• Daily sweeping or pets: Clean a broom every 1–2 weeks.
• Outdoor or garage use: Rinse and clean a broom after very dirty jobs.
• After sweeping up spills: Clean a broom right away if you swept wet or sticky messes.

A quick shake and comb-out after each use, plus a deeper wash on a regular schedule, is the best way to clean a broom and keep it in top shape.

Special Tips for Different Broom Types

Tips for Straw and Corn Brooms

• Do not soak for long periods; short dips are safer.
• Let them dry fully before storing to prevent mold.
• Use them mainly for dry sweeping, not wet messes.
• If the bristles start to fan out, tie a loose string around them while they dry to help them keep their shape.

Tips for Synthetic Indoor Brooms

• These are the easiest to wash with soap and water.
• They can handle more frequent cleaning without damage.
• If bristles warp, sometimes a soak in warm (not hot) water followed by careful reshaping can help.
• Use them for fine dust, crumbs, and indoor dirt.

Tips for Push Brooms and Outdoor Brooms

• Rinse them after heavy outdoor use to remove mud, sand, and grit.
• Check for debris stuck in the base or between bristle rows.
• Disinfect if you sweep areas with animal droppings or trash.
• Store them inside or under cover to avoid sun and rain damage.

Troubleshooting: Common Broom Problems and Fixes

Even when you know how to clean a broom, problems can still come up. Here are common issues and what you can do.

Problem: Broom Smells Bad

If your broom smells musty or sour, it likely stayed wet too long or picked up something smelly.

• Wash the bristles with warm soapy water.
• Soak the bristles in a vinegar and water mix for 10–15 minutes.
• Rinse very well and dry completely with bristles facing down.

If the smell does not go away after you clean a broom this way, it may be time to replace it, especially if mold is visible.

Problem: Bristles Are Bent or Fanned Out

Bristles can bend if a broom is stored on its head or pressed against a wall.

• Soak synthetic bristles in warm water for 10 minutes, then gently straighten them with your hands.
• For straw brooms, avoid long soaking; instead, dampen slightly and tie the bristles with a soft string while they dry.
• Always store the broom hanging or on the handle to prevent it from happening again.

Problem: Broom Is Not Picking Up Dust Well

If the broom seems to just push dust around, it is likely dirty or worn.

• Clean a broom thoroughly: remove hair, wash, rinse, and dry.
• Check for worn-down bristle tips; if they are very short or frayed, the broom may be at the end of its life.
• Use shorter, lighter strokes when sweeping to help the bristles trap fine dust.

Problem: Broom Leaves Streaks or Marks

Sometimes, a broom can leave streaks on smooth floors if there is grease or sticky residue on the bristles.

• Wash the broom with warm water and a degreasing dish soap.
• Rinse well and let it dry fully.
• Clean the floor too, as old cleaner residue can react with dust and cause streaks.

Simple Routine to Keep Your Broom Clean

To make things easy, you can follow a quick routine each time you clean a broom and after you sweep.

• After each use: Tap the broom to remove loose dirt and pull out visible hair.
• Once a week (or as needed): Comb through the bristles and wipe the handle.
• Every 2–4 weeks: Wash, rinse, disinfect if needed, and dry the broom fully.
• Always: Store hanging or on the handle, in a dry place.

This simple routine makes learning how to clean a broom part of your regular cleaning habits, not a big chore.

Conclusion: A Clean Broom Means a Cleaner Home

When you take a little time to clean a broom, you get better results every time you sweep. Your floors stay cleaner, your broom lasts longer, and you avoid spreading germs and odors around your home. You now know how to clean a broom for different materials, how to wash, rinse, disinfect, dry, and store it the right way.

Make these steps part of your normal cleaning routine. Shake out debris, wash and disinfect when needed, and store the broom so the bristles stay straight. With this simple care, your broom will stay in great shape and help keep your home fresh and tidy for a long time.