How to properly clean your broom before you start cleaning again

The things we use to clean often need a good cleaning, and that includes brooms. Dirty brooms can spread dust and hair all over the place, making a mess of the very floors you’re trying to clean. Luckily, cleaning brooms (and dustpans) is incredibly easy, and you probably already have everything you need to do it. Here’s what you need to know.

How to clean broom

A good broom cleaning only requires a little effort and a few ingredients. You’ll need a bucket or sink, some dish soap, clean water, and bleach if you want.

1. Shake off the dirt. Before you start soaking and scrubbing the broom, you will need to get to the trash can. Bang the broom against the inside of the trash can to shake and loosen any remaining dirt. You can also do this outside, against an outside wall.
2. Make your own cleaning solution. Next, fill a large bucket with two tablespoons of dish soap and plenty of water. If you are cleaning a small broom (like the kind that fits in a dustpan), you can use a sink with a stopper instead of a bucket. Add 1/3 cup of bleach for every gallon of water in the soap solution if you are using the broom to clean a lot of bathroom stains.
3. Wet your broom. Dip the broom into the soapy bucket and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. You may need to place the bucket next to a wall so the broom can rest against something. The mini broom can just be tossed into the soapy sink.
4. Start scrubbing. After soaking the broom, sweep the broom along the bottom of the bucket to ensure all dirt is rinsed away.
5. Rinse and dry. Clean the brush by placing it under running water for 30 seconds. Let it air dry outside or in the bath or shower.

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How to clean the dustpan

Don’t return your sparkling clean broom to a dirty dustpan: make sure your dustpan is clean, too. To clean it, you’ll need dish soap, water, a scrub brush, a drying rack, and a sink or bucket.

If your dustpan isn’t too dirty, you can simply give it a quick wipe with a clean cloth and your favorite all-purpose cleaner.

1. Make some bubbles. Pour a few tablespoons of dish soap and water into a bucket or sink.
2. Clean the dustpan. Place the dustpan in the soapy water and let it sit for five minutes.
3. Start scrubbing. After five minutes, pull the dustpan out. Use a brush dipped in soapy water to scrub away any dirt that has accumulated on it.
4. Let dry. Dry the dustpan on a drying rack or in the sun.

How Often Should You Really Clean Your Broom?

In most cases, it’s best to clean your broom monthly. A dirty broom will only spread hair and dust throughout your home, making it harder to keep clean.

However, you should clean the broom immediately after use if it is used to clear a lot of construction debris or the floor is especially dirty. Likewise, brooms that are used less often should be cleaned less frequently.

If monthly cleaning of your brush feels like too much, always try to shake the dust off in the dustbin after each use. This can prevent hair and debris from building up over time.