Yes, You Need to Clean Your Dirty Broom
Yes, your broom is for cleaning, but even things that are meant to be cleaned need to be cleaned themselves too. You should not push a dirty tool across the floor expecting it to interfere with your efforts to keep the floor clean. Clean brooms are simply more efficient, so it’s worth spending some time getting yours in order, especially if you haven’t done so in a long time (or never). Here’s what you need to do.
Remove the big junk first
You may see large debris that easily sticks to your broom, such as hair and lint, and is the first thing to do when you start cleaning. Maids by Trade , a home cleaning company, recommends taking the broom outside and tapping it against a tree or other hard object hard enough to remove dust and loose debris attached to the bristles.
Soak the broom
In some cases, a good slap is enough, but make it a habit to do some deep cleaning periodically—about once a month and after any major cleaning your broom has to deal with. Start by brushing the broom with a wide-toothed comb to remove any dust that is really stuck inside the bristles.
Fill a bucket with warm, soapy water and soak the broom for 30 minutes. Maids by Trade makes it clear that it doesn’t matter if your material is natural or synthetic, as both can be cleaned this way. Use the soak time to sanitize the handle with your preferred product, and after half an hour, rinse your head with warm water before putting it bristles up in the shower to dry.
Store your broom properly for maximum cleanliness
Proper storage of the broom is important to keep it clean. If possible, hang it on a special holder so that the bristles do not touch the floor when not in use. Do not store it in a dark closet until it is completely dry after bathing; you don’t want mold or mildew to build up on the bristles.