Clean Sweep: Easy Broom And Dustpan Care

Cleaning your broom and dustpan regularly is important to ensure you're not spreading dirt and debris around your home. To clean your broom, start by dislodging any stuck-on dirt by gently banging the broom against a hard surface. Then, use a comb to remove any hair or debris that might be wrapped around the bristles. Next, prepare a cleaning solution by mixing vinegar and dish soap with warm water. Soak the broom in this solution for half an hour, and wipe down the handle with a disinfectant. Finally, rinse the broom with cool water and let it air dry. To clean the dustpan, simply rinse it out and wipe it with a rag.

Bang dust out of the broom

Banging the dust out of your broom is a great first step to cleaning it. This is a simple process, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, make sure you are doing this gently. You don't want to damage the broom or its bristles by being too rough. Second, try to do this outside. If you can't, that's okay, but it will be messier. Find a post, fence, tree, or trash can to gently hit the broom against. If you are inside, use a lined trash can. Bang the broom against your chosen object to dislodge the dirt and dust from the bristles.

You can also use a vacuum to suck up the dust and dirt, or even just use your hands to remove the biggest debris. This will help ensure you aren't just moving the dust and dirt around, but actually removing it.

Once you've banged the dust out, you can then move on to the next steps of cleaning your broom, including brushing out the bristles, making a cleaning solution, and soaking the broom.

Brush out the broom

To brush out your broom, use a comb to dislodge hair, thread, and other debris that may be wrapped around the bristles. This will help to remove any stubborn dirt that is stuck in the bristles. If you don't have a comb, you can use your hands to remove any loose debris.

After brushing out the broom, you can then move on to the next step, which is to make your cleaning solution. This will be done by mixing one cup of vinegar and a small squirt of dish soap into warm water in a bucket. You can also fill a bucket with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap if you don't have vinegar.

Once you have your cleaning solution ready, you can then soak the broom. Place the brush in the bucket, swish it around, and let it soak for about 30 minutes. If you have a natural fiber broom, you may want to reduce the soaking time to 15 minutes to prevent the bristles from weakening and fraying.

After soaking, be sure to rinse the broom with cool water to remove any remaining soap or dirt. Then, let the broom dry by setting it upside down to drip dry in the shower or outside.

Soak the broom

Soaking the broom is an important step in the cleaning process. It helps to dislodge any remaining dirt and dust, and it also gives the soap a chance to work into the bristles, effectively disinfecting the broom.

To start, fill a bucket with warm water. You can use a bucket, utility sink, or empty storage bin, ensuring it is large enough to fully submerge the bristles. Add some liquid dish soap to the water and mix until sudsy. You can also add a few drops of distilled white vinegar to the mixture. If your broom is used in a particularly dirty or germy area, such as a bathroom, add a few drops of bleach to the water as a disinfectant.

Once you have prepared the cleaning solution, place the broom in the bucket. Swirl it around to ensure that all the bristles are coated, and then let the broom soak. The soaking time will depend on the type of bristles your broom has. Plastic bristles can be soaked for 30 minutes to an hour, while natural fibre bristles should only be soaked for 15 minutes to prevent weakening and fraying.

After the broom has soaked, you can move on to the next step of rinsing and drying.

Wipe down the handle

To wipe down the handle of your broom, you can use a disinfectant spray or an all-purpose cleaner and a cloth. If you're using a disinfectant spray, be sure to spray it onto a cloth first and then wipe down the handle. Alternatively, you can use a vinegar solution, which can be made by mixing vinegar and water together in a bucket or basin. Soak a cloth in the solution and then wipe down the handle.

It is important to clean your broom regularly to prevent the spread of dirt and bacteria. This includes cleaning the handle, which can be done by following the simple steps outlined above. By taking care of your broom and regularly disinfecting it, you can help keep your home clean and hygienic.

Clean the dustpan

Cleaning your dustpan is a simple but important task. It is recommended that you clean your dustpan at least once a month, or more frequently if it is used for sweeping especially dirty areas. Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning your dustpan:

Begin by tapping the dustpan over a garbage can to remove any remaining debris. This will help ensure that you are not putting dirt back into your cleaning tools. It is important to do this outside to avoid creating more mess.

Next, fill a bucket with warm water and add a few drops of liquid dish soap or another grease-cutting cleaner. You can also add a drop or two of bleach if your dustpan needs disinfecting. Submerge the dustpan into the soapy water and use a brush or microfiber cloth to scrub the inside, paying special attention to the corners and crevices. If your dustpan has tough stains, you can use a mixture of equal parts white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide and hot water to soak the dustpan for about 5-10 minutes. Baking soda can also be an effective stain remover.

Once you have scrubbed the dustpan, rinse it thoroughly with hot water to remove any soap residue. Dry the dustpan with a clean microfiber cloth or sponge, ensuring that it is completely dry before storing it in a dry place. Alternatively, you can hang the dustpan upside down to air dry.

It is worth noting that there are other methods for cleaning your dustpan. Some people choose to put their dustpan in the washing machine, although this may be a waste of laundry detergent. Another option is to use a vacuum cleaner to remove debris, followed by air drying. While these methods may be quicker and more convenient, deep cleaning your dustpan with hot water and soap will ensure a more thorough clean.

Frequently asked questions