How to Clean a Broom: Proven & Easy Steps for 2026

By James Kowalski · September 6, 2025

Why Your Broom Needs a Deep Clean

I've swept my fair share of messy floors over the last decade. If you have kids who track mud everywhere or a golden retriever that sheds year-round, your broom takes an absolute beating. Most people just tap it against the trash can and call it a day. That's a massive mistake. I learned this the hard way after spreading greasy garage dust all over my freshly mopped kitchen floor. A dirty broom just moves dirt around. In my experience cleaning tile for 10 years, a sanitized broom is just as crucial as a clean mop head. You'll notice a huge difference in how your floors look after sweeping.

Tools and Supplies You'll Need

You don't need to buy fancy, expensive cleaning solutions. I keep my setup simple and cheap. Here is exactly what I use when I tackle my utility closet.

Large Bucket: A standard 5-gallon Homer bucket from Home Depot (around $5).
Dish Soap: Dawn Ultra Platinum. It cuts through floor grease better than anything else I've tried.
White Vinegar: A standard $3 jug from the grocery store for disinfecting.
Baking Soda: Arm & Hammer, just the basic yellow box.
Broom Comb or Seam Ripper: I use a $6 metal seam ripper for stubborn pet hair.
Rubber Gloves: Heavy-duty nitrile gloves to protect your skin from hot water and grime.

I'll be honest, this takes some elbow grease. But gathering these supplies takes less than five minutes.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Broom with Plastic Bristles

Plastic bristles are the most common type. I use the O-Cedar Angle Broom for my kitchen, and it gets filthy fast. Here is my proven method for getting those synthetic bristles looking brand new.

Step 1: Remove loose debris. Take the broom outside. Whack it against a brick wall or the side of your trash can. You want to knock off the big chunks of dirt and dried mud.
Step 2: Extract trapped hair. This is the annoying part. Run your broom comb or seam ripper through the bristles from base to tip. Pull out all the wrapped pet hair and human hair.
Step 3: Prepare the soaking bath. Fill your 5-gallon bucket with about 3 gallons of hot water. I aim for roughly 120°F. Add two tablespoons of Dawn dish soap and one cup of white vinegar.
Step 4: Soak the bristles. Submerge just the bristle head into the bucket. Don't submerge the metal or wood handle if you can avoid it. Let it soak for exactly 20 minutes. The hot soapy water breaks down the oily film.
Step 5: Agitate and scrub. Swish the broom around vigorously. If the bristles are still grimy, use an old scrub brush to work the soap deep into the base.
Step 6: Rinse and dry. Rinse the broom head with clean, cold water from your garden hose or bathtub faucet. Shake off the excess water. Hang it upside down or prop it up so the bristles don't bend while drying.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Corn Broom (Natural Bristles)

Natural corn brooms require a totally different approach. I have a vintage Libman corn broom that I use on my hardwood porch. If you soak natural fibers in water for too long, they will rot and smell like mildew.

Step 1: Comb out the dirt. Use a wide-toothed comb or a specialized broom rake. Gently pull out the trapped dust bunnies.
Step 2: Make a mild cleaning spray. Mix equal parts water and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Alcohol evaporates quickly, which prevents the corn husks from staying wet.
Step 3: Mist and wipe. Lightly mist the bristles. Don't drench them. Wipe the bristles down with a clean microfiber cloth.
Step 4: Oil the handle. Natural brooms usually have wooden handles. I rub a few drops of mineral oil into the wood once a month to keep it from splintering.

How to Remove Stubborn Hair from Broom Bristles

Pet hair wraps around the base of the bristles like a vice. If you have a Husky or a German Shepherd, you know exactly what I mean. Snipping it with scissors takes forever.

Instead, I use a specialized tool. The O-Cedar Dual-Action Sweeper has a built-in comb on the dustpan, which works great. If your broom didn't come with one, buy a standalone broom comb for about $8 online. Slide the teeth of the comb all the way down to the rubber base. Pull upward firmly. The hair will slide right off. For really matted hair, I spray the base with a little bit of fabric softener mixed with water. It lubricates the plastic and helps the hair slide off much easier.

Cleaning the Broom Handle

People always forget the handle. Think about it. Your hands are gripping it while you sweep up raw chicken juices or muddy paw prints.

Metal or Plastic Handles: Spray them down with a standard disinfectant like Lysol Clean & Fresh. Wipe them down with a paper towel. It takes 30 seconds.
Wooden Handles: Don't use harsh chemicals or excessive water. They will strip the finish and warp the wood. I use a damp cloth with a drop of Murphy's Oil Soap. Wipe it down, then immediately dry it with a separate towel.

How to Clean a Heavy-Duty Push Broom

Push brooms are beasts. I use a 24-inch O-Cedar push broom for my concrete driveway and garage. These bristles are incredibly stiff and trap tiny pebbles and sand.

First, flip the broom upside down on a hard surface. Stomp on the back of the bristle block to shake out the trapped gravel. Next, use a stiff wire brush to scrape across the bristles. This dislodges the caked-on mud and drywall dust.

For the actual wash, I hook my garden hose up to a high-pressure nozzle. Blast the bristles from the base to the tips. If you've been sweeping up oil stains, spray the bristles with a heavy-duty degreaser like Simple Green. Let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. I'll be honest, this takes elbow grease and leaves your arms sore, but it's the only way to restore a push broom.

Sanitizing After Sweeping Up Biohazards or Glass

Sometimes you aren't just sweeping up dust. If you drop a raw egg, sweep up pet vomit, or clean up a shattered drinking glass, your broom becomes a hazard.

For biohazards, I skip the vinegar and go straight for a bleach solution. Mix one tablespoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of cool water. Submerge the bristles for exactly 5 minutes. Don't leave it longer, or the bleach will degrade the plastic. Rinse thoroughly with cold water.

For broken glass, never use your hands to pick shards out of the bristles. I use a pair of long needle-nose pliers. Shake the broom violently over a trash can, then run a damp paper towel along the base to pick up microscopic glass splinters. Throw the paper towel away immediately.

Broom Maintenance Schedule

I stick to a strict schedule so my tools never get out of control. Here is the exact routine I follow in my own home.

Frequency	Action Required	Time Needed
After Every Use	Tap against trash can to remove loose dust.	10 seconds
Weekly	Use a broom comb to pull out trapped pet hair.	2 minutes
Monthly	Deep soak in hot soapy water and vinegar.	25 minutes
Every 6 Months	Oil wooden handles and inspect bristle wear.	5 minutes

Common Mistakes I See People Make

I've reviewed dozens of cleaning routines. Most people make the same three errors when maintaining their sweepers.

Storing it on the bristles. If you leave your broom resting on its bristles in the corner, they will permanently bend. Always hang it on a pegboard or a wall hook.
Using bleach on natural bristles. Bleach will literally dissolve corn husks and straw. Stick to mild soap or alcohol.
Ignoring the dustpan. Your dustpan collects just as much gunk as the broom. Wash it in the sink with hot soapy water every time you wash the broom.

When to Throw Your Broom Away

Sometimes, a broom is just too far gone. I'll be honest, I've held onto brooms way past their expiration date. If the bristles are splayed out at a 45-degree angle, it won't pick up fine dust anymore. If the rubber base is cracking and shedding black crumbs onto your floor, toss it. A good quality plastic broom like the Libman Precision Angle Broom costs around $15-25. It's not worth struggling with a $10 tool that ruins your floors. Replace it every 12 to 18 months for optimal performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put my broom in the dishwasher?

I strongly advise against putting your broom in the dishwasher. The extreme heat (often exceeding 150°F) will warp and melt plastic bristles. Furthermore, the food debris in the dishwasher will just get trapped in the broom fibers. Stick to hand-washing in a bucket.

How do I get a bad smell out of my broom?

A smelly broom usually means mildew is growing in the damp base. Soak the bristles in a mixture of one cup of white vinegar and a gallon of warm water for 30 minutes. Rinse it thoroughly and let it dry completely in direct sunlight, which naturally kills odor-causing bacteria.

Should I use hot or cold water to clean my broom?

You should use warm to hot water, ideally around 110°F to 120°F, for plastic bristles. Hot water melts away greasy floor films and dissolves soap much faster. However, if you are cleaning a natural corn broom, use cold or room-temperature water to prevent the fibers from breaking down.

How often should I wash my broom?

I recommend giving your broom a quick shake-out after every use and a deep wash once a month. If you are sweeping up messy spills, pet accidents, or garage grease, wash it immediately. Regular maintenance prevents the bristles from clumping together and losing their stiffness.

Can I use fabric softener to clean broom bristles?

You shouldn't use fabric softener as your primary cleaning agent because it leaves a sticky residue that attracts more dust. However, a diluted spray of fabric softener and water works wonders for lubricating bristles when removing stubborn pet hair. Just be sure to rinse the bristles with plain water afterward.