How to Clean Brooms

Co-authored by Erik Bakirov

Brooms do so much of the cleaning work that we sometimes forget that they need a good cleaning too. Removing debris from your broom before you get it wet, and then soaking the broom head and disinfecting the handle, can help keep your brooms clean.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Debris from Your Broom

1
Remove the broom head. Many broom sticks are threaded, which allows you to unscrew the broom head from the broom stick. Having the broom head separated from the stick can make it easier to clean your broom.^{[1]
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2
Vacuum the broom bristles. Before you get the bristles wet, it's important to remove as much debris as possible. Use the upholstery attachment to remove any debris from your broom. If you don't have an upholstery attachment, you can just use your hands to pull debris off.^{[2]
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3
Bang your broom on a hard surface. You can only get so much dirt off the bristles with your hands or vacuum. Bang the broom against the ground to loosen up and shake off any dirt that might be clinging to the bristles.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Washing Your Broom

1
Mix dish soap with warm water.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Erik Bakirov
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.} Because brooms are large, you'll need to mix the soap and water in a bucket to ensure the broom head can fully soak. Fill a small bucket with warm water and add a few squirts of liquid dish soap. Mix the soap and water together until it's sudsy.^{[4]
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Soak the broom for an hour. This gives the soap a chance to work into the broom bristles. It also allows the soap to disinfect your broom.^{[5]
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3
Rinse the broom.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Erik Bakirov
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.} Holding the broom head under a running faucet, rub the bristles between your fingers. Do this until all the detergent has run off the bristles and the water runs clear.^{[7]
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4
Disinfect the broom handle. While the broom head is soaking, wipe down the broom handle.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Erik Bakirov
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.} You can use any type of disinfecting cleaning wipe to wipe down the handle. You can also dip a cloth in the bucket the broom head is soaking in and use that to wipe down the handle.
5
Hang the broom up to dry. You can also lean the broom-head up against an outdoor wall, since drying in the sunlight can help kill off any bacteria. Make sure the broom is completely dry before you use it again – you don't want to drag wet dirt across your floor.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Brooms

1
Clean your brooms every three months.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Erik Bakirov
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.} If you use your broom to sweep up something particularly dirty or gross, clean it right away. Otherwise you should clean your broom heads about four times a year.^{[11]
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2
Store your brooms in a well-ventilated place. This is especially important if you often use your brooms to clean up wet messes. It's okay to store your brooms in a closet, as long as it's one that's used often. Opening and closing the door will allow air in.^{[12]
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3
Hang up your brooms. You should store your brooms by hanging them. Many home improvement stores carry easy-to-install broom racks that attach to walls or the inside of doors. Storing your brooms by hanging them prevents dirt or water from getting on the broom head while it's not in use.

Warnings

Never place brooms into hot water; this will potentially melt synthetic broom heads and can weaken natural fibers.

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