How To Clean A Broom: Expert Tips For 2026

Brush off debris, wash bristles, rinse, disinfect if needed, and dry upright.

If you have ever wondered how to clean a broom the right way, you are in the right place. I’ve cleaned homes, shops, and studios for years. A clean broom sweeps faster, lasts longer, and keeps germs away. In this guide, I’ll show you how to clean a broom step by step, share pro tips from the field, and help you avoid common mistakes so your broom works like new.

Why a Clean Broom Matters

A dirty broom spreads dust, germs, and bad smells. It also pushes debris instead of lifting it. That means more time spent sweeping the same spot.

When you learn how to clean a broom, you protect your floors and your health. You also protect your wallet. Clean bristles wear down slower and keep their shape longer.

I’ve seen one good broom last five years with simple care. The secret was a quick clean after heavy jobs and a monthly wash. That routine works at home too.

Tools and Supplies You’ll Need

Gather a simple cleaning kit before you start. This makes the job fast and easy.

Bucket with warm water for washing and rinsing
Mild dish soap to lift oils and grime
White vinegar for deodorizing and mineral buildup
Disinfectant solution for germ control when needed
Rubber gloves to protect your hands
Old comb, pet brush, or gloved hands to pull out hair
Microfiber cloth or old towel for wiping
Zip tie or elastic to reshape splayed bristles
Optional: baking soda for odor, hydrogen peroxide 3% for non-bleach disinfection
Optional: hose or handheld shower for a quick rinse

Knowing how to clean a broom starts with the right tools. Keep these items in a small caddy. You will use them often.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Broom

How to clean a broom changes a bit by broom type. Use the steps below based on your broom. These methods come from both manufacturer advice and years of hands-on cleaning.

Synthetic or plastic-bristle broom

Knock off debris. Tap the broom head outside or over a bin.
Detangle hair. Use a comb or gloved fingers. Pull from the tips toward the base.
Wash. Mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap. Swish the bristles for 2–3 minutes.
Rinse. Run water through the bristles from base to tip.
Disinfect if needed. Soak for 5 minutes in 4 teaspoons chlorine bleach per quart of water. Rinse well.
Dry. Hang bristles down or stand the broom upside down so air reaches the tips.

Pro tip: If bristles splay, wrap a loose elastic around them while drying to help them set straight.

Corn, straw, or natural-fiber broom

Dry clean first. Shake out dust and comb out hair. Do not soak.
Light wash. Dip just the tips in warm, soapy water for 20–30 seconds. Do not submerge the head or handle.
Rinse fast. Run a quick stream of water over the tips only.
Disinfect carefully. Lightly mist a disinfectant on the tips. Wipe with a damp cloth. Do not soak natural fibers.
Dry fully. Hang with bristles down in a breezy, shaded spot. Keep out of direct sun to prevent brittleness.

Pro tip: A straw broom loves airflow. I hang it near a door for 24 hours after a light wash.

Push broom

Comb the bristles and vacuum the head if very dusty.
Soak synthetic heads in warm, soapy water for 5 minutes. Skip soaking for natural fiber heads.
Rinse under a hose from base to tip.
Disinfect if used in garages or greasy areas. Use the bleach mix above for synthetic bristles only.
Dry bristles down on a rack. Store off the floor.

Rubber broom

Rinse under warm water to remove hair and dust.
Use a drop of dish soap and rub with your hands.
Rinse well and shake off water.
Disinfect with hydrogen peroxide 3% for 5–10 minutes if needed. Rinse again.
Air dry. Rubber dries fast.

If you ever forget how to clean a broom in a pinch, remember this: remove hair, wash, rinse, disinfect when the mess was risky, and dry bristles down.

Deep Cleaning and Disinfecting Safely

There are times when you need more than soap and water. Think pet accidents, raw meat spills, or bathroom jobs. Here is how to clean a broom and make it safer to use again.

Use the right dilution. A common disinfecting mix is 4 teaspoons regular household bleach per quart of water. Pre-clean with soap first. Soak synthetic bristles for 5 minutes. Rinse well and air dry.
Try hydrogen peroxide 3%. Soak synthetic bristles for 10 minutes. Rinse and dry. This is gentler on color and metal parts.
Know vinegar’s role. Vinegar helps with odors and mineral film. It is not a broad disinfectant for viruses or many bacteria.
Protect yourself. Wear gloves. Work in fresh air. Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia.

If you need to know how to clean a broom after a bio-mess, these steps cut risk. When in doubt, use a cheap broom for that task and replace it.

Drying and Storage to Prevent Odor and Mold

Drying is half the job. Wet bristles breed smell and mold fast.

Shake off extra water. Then blot with a towel.
Hang bristles down. This protects shape and speeds airflow.
Keep out of dark closets while damp. Use a porch, laundry area, or garage with air flow.
Avoid direct sun for natural fiber heads. Shade is safer.
Store upright or hung on a hook. Never rest a broom on its bristles.

People ask how to clean a broom and stop the smell. Drying right is the fix most people miss.

Routine Care and Maintenance Schedule

A simple plan keeps your broom in top shape.

Weekly

Comb out hair and dust.
Quick rinse if you sweep pet hair or sand.

Monthly

Wash with warm, soapy water (synthetic). Light clean for straw.
Check for loose handles and tighten.

After messy jobs

Wash, then disinfect if the mess was risky.
Dry fully before storage.

Replace your broom when bristles are frayed halfway down, the head is warped, or the broom sheds. This routine is how to clean a broom and make it last.

Mistakes to Avoid

These are the traps I see most often.

Soaking straw brooms. This weakens fibers and warps the head.
Storing on the bristles. This bends them for good.
Skipping the rinse after bleach. Residue can damage floors and metal parts.
Using boiling water. High heat warps plastic and loosens glue.
Cleaning too rarely. Build-up shortens the broom’s life and spreads dirt.

When I teach new cleaners how to clean a broom, these warnings save them money and time.

Eco-Friendly Tips and Odor Control

You can keep it clean and green.

Use warm water and a few drops of soap for most washes.
Deodorize with a 10-minute soak in 1 cup vinegar per gallon of water. Rinse well.
Sprinkle baking soda on damp bristles. Massage, then rinse to fight smell.
Sunlight helps with odor on synthetic bristles. Limit time for straw to prevent drying.
Reuse gray water for outdoor rinsing when safe.

These ideas show how to clean a broom without harsh chemicals most days.

Troubleshooting: Quick Fixes for Common Broom Problems

Bristles splayed

Wrap a loose elastic around clean, damp bristles.
Let dry overnight bristles down. Remove the band.

Funky smell

Wash with soap. Soak in vinegar water for 10 minutes.
Rinse well. Dry in a breezy spot for 24 hours.

Hair stuck deep

Use a pet comb or a wide-tooth comb.
Pull from tip to base in short strokes.

Handle loose

Tighten the thread. Add a wrap of plumber’s tape if it keeps slipping.

Grit stuck at the base

Aim a hose or shower at the ferrule from different angles.
Use a soft brush to free packed sand.

These fixes are fast and cheap. They round out how to clean a broom when problems pop up.

Frequently Asked Questions of how to clean a broom

How often should I wash my broom?

Wash monthly for regular home use. Clean after any messy spill or bathroom job to reduce germs.

Can I put my broom in the dishwasher?

No. Heat and detergents can warp the head and weaken glue. Hand washing is safer and faster.

Does vinegar disinfect my broom?

Vinegar helps with odor and mineral film. It is not a broad disinfectant, so use bleach or hydrogen peroxide when you need germ kill.

How do I clean a broom used outdoors?

Knock off dirt, hose the bristles, and wash with soapy water. Disinfect synthetic bristles if you swept animal waste, then dry bristles down.

What is the best way to dry a broom?

Hang it with bristles down in a breezy spot. Avoid closets until it is fully dry to prevent mold and odor.

How to clean a broom without bleach?

Use warm, soapy water, then soak in 3% hydrogen peroxide for 10 minutes. Rinse and air dry.

Can I use fabric softener to fix stiff bristles?

Skip it. Softener leaves residue that grabs dust. A warm, soapy wash and proper drying work better.

Conclusion

Keeping a broom clean is simple, fast, and worth it. Remove hair, wash, rinse, disinfect when needed, and dry bristles down. Store it off the floor, and it will sweep like new. Now that you know how to clean a broom the smart way, set a quick monthly reminder and enjoy cleaner floors in less time. Want more home care tips like this? Subscribe, bookmark this guide, and share your own broom tricks in the comments.

Adnan