How to Clean a Broom: Best Methods and Tips

A broom that has not been cleaned in months is doing the opposite of its job. The bristles hold dirt, hair, and bacteria, and every sweep redistributes that debris back across the floor. Knowing how to clean a broom takes 10 minutes, costs nothing in supplies you do not already own, and roughly doubles the useful life of the tool. This guide covers the right method for every broom type, the cleaning frequency that prevents bristle damage, and the storage habits that keep brooms working like new for 5 years or more.

Why Broom Cleaning Matters

The average household broom collects between 200,000 and 500,000 bacteria per square inch of bristle, according to a University of Arizona environmental microbiology study. That bacteria includes E. coli, salmonella, and staph, all transferred to floors with every sweep. A clean broom removes debris. A dirty broom redistributes contaminated debris.

Beyond hygiene, dirty bristles mat together and lose their fanning action. Once that happens, the broom skips over fine particles instead of pushing them. Owners replace the broom thinking it is worn out when 15 minutes of cleaning would have restored full function.

How Often to Clean a Broom

Cleaning frequency depends on use:

• Daily-use indoor broom — clean every 2 weeks
• Weekly-use indoor broom — clean monthly
• Garage or outdoor push broom — clean monthly during use season
• Workshop broom for sawdust or drywall dust — clean after every major project

A quick visual check works too. If you see hair, lint, or debris woven into the bristles, it is time to clean. The broom should be obviously empty after every use, with bristles flexing freely.

Method 1: Quick Comb-Out

For brooms used daily, a 2-minute comb-out keeps bristles clear:

1. Take the broom outside or to a trash can
2. Use a wide-tooth comb or your hand to pull out hair, string, and lodged debris
3. Bang the broom head against a hard surface to dislodge loose dust
4. Inspect for any tightly wrapped hair around the bristle base
5. Cut tightly wrapped hair with scissors close to the bristles

This is maintenance, not deep cleaning. Plan to do a full wash every 4 to 8 quick comb-outs depending on how dirty your broom gets between sessions.

Method 2: Deep Wash for Synthetic Bristles

Most modern indoor brooms have plastic or nylon synthetic bristles that handle water and detergent well. The full process:

1. Comb out loose debris first
2. Fill a bucket or sink with hot water (about 110 degrees F)
3. Add 1 tablespoon of dish soap and 1/4 cup of white vinegar
4. Submerge the broom head fully and swish for 1 minute
5. Let soak for 10 to 15 minutes
6. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the base of the bristles where they meet the head
7. Rinse under running water until water runs clear
8. Shake vigorously to remove excess water
9. Hang upside down to dry completely (24 hours minimum)

The vinegar kills bacteria and helps cut greasy buildup that accumulates on kitchen brooms. Skip vinegar on natural fiber brooms because the acid can break down the fibers.

Method 3: Cleaning Natural Fiber Brooms

Corn brooms and natural broomcorn brooms need gentler treatment because water can damage the fibers and rust the metal binding wire. The process:

1. Comb out loose debris with a wide-tooth comb
2. Mix 1 tablespoon mild dish soap in 2 cups warm water
3. Use a dampened (not wet) cloth to wipe bristles, working from base to tip
4. Wipe with a clean damp cloth to remove soap residue
5. Hang the broom upside down in a ventilated area to dry completely
6. Once dry, brush with a stiff brush to refluff the bristles

Never submerge a corn broom or leave it standing in water. Both will warp the fibers and rot the binding within a few cleanings.

Method 4: Deep Cleaning a Push Broom

Push brooms used for garages, workshops, and patios collect heavier debris and need a stronger cleaning approach:

1. Use a stiff brush to remove dried mud, paint, and embedded debris
2. Take the broom outside and spray bristles with a garden hose at full pressure
3. Mix 1/2 cup degreaser like Simple Green in a bucket of hot water
4. Submerge head and agitate vigorously
5. Use a wire brush on heavily soiled areas
6. Rinse thoroughly with the hose
7. Stand the broom upside down to dry, never bristle-down

For push brooms used on grease or oil spills, a follow-up scrub with kitchen degreaser like Easy-Off Heavy Duty ($5) breaks down petroleum residue that water alone cannot remove.

Removing Stuck Hair and String

Hair and string wind tightly around bristle bases and resist combing. Three approaches:

• Scissors — cut close to the bristle base and pull pieces out
• Seam ripper — slides under wrapped hair and lifts it cleanly
• Lighter (carefully) — for synthetic broom only, briefly flame-melt embedded synthetic hair, scrape off

The lighter method works only on synthetic bristles and outside in a well-ventilated area. Never use on natural fiber brooms because the fibers ignite easily.

Storage Habits That Extend Broom Life

How you store a broom matters as much as how you clean it. Critical rules:

• Hang the broom with bristles off the floor, not stand bristle-down
• Use a wall-mount holder like the Rubbermaid FastTrack ($25) or simple wall hooks
• Store in a dry area away from chemicals and direct sunlight
• Keep separate brooms for indoor and outdoor use
• Replace at first sign of permanent bristle deformation

Standing a broom bristle-down forces the bristles into a permanent splay. Within a year, the broom no longer makes proper floor contact and starts skipping debris. A simple $4 wall hook eliminates the issue.

When to Replace Instead of Clean

Some damage is beyond cleaning:

• Bristles permanently bent or splayed from improper storage
• Broken bristles missing in patches
• Loose or wobbling head that no longer attaches firmly to handle
• Persistent odor that survives multiple deep cleans
• Mold growth at the base of natural fiber brooms

A quality broom from O-Cedar, Libman, or Casabella costs $12 to $25 and lasts 3 to 5 years with proper care. The annualized cost is under $5 for a tool used 200 times a year, which is one of the best price-per-use ratios in the cleaning aisle.

FAQ

How often should I deep clean my kitchen broom?

Every 2 to 4 weeks for daily-use kitchen brooms, more often if you cook with greasy foods. Quick comb-outs after every use keep deep cleaning intervals manageable.

Can I put a broom in the dishwasher?

Some plastic brooms tolerate the top rack of the dishwasher on a gentle cycle, but the high heat can warp synthetic bristles. Hand washing in soapy water is safer and just as effective.

Will vinegar damage my broom?

Vinegar is safe on synthetic bristles and excellent for sanitizing. It can break down natural broomcorn fibers over repeated use, so use mild dish soap only on natural brooms.

How do I get rid of broom odor?

Soak the bristles in a 1:1 vinegar and water solution for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and dry completely. Persistent odor usually means trapped organic material that requires a second deep clean or broom replacement.

Should I clean a new broom before first use?

Yes. New brooms come with manufacturing residues including release agents and packaging dust. A quick rinse with warm soapy water before first use removes contaminants that would otherwise transfer to floors.