The Simple Cleaning Hack That Extends The Life Of Your Broom

Your broom is an unsung hero in your cleaning arsenal, tirelessly sweeping away the dust and debris on your floors. But over time, even the best brooms start to show their age, with bent or splayed bristles that lose their effectiveness. Before you toss yours to the curb, however, consider this easy (yet honestly, revolutionary) cleaning hack that will ensure it stays a cleaning machine for years to come: trimming its bristles.

Keeping your broom clean and trimmed is a tiny effort that yields a huge return in keeping your home clean and tidy. While it might sound a bit silly, there is a good reason to trim the bristles: it restores the broom's functionality. As bristles wear down, they become uneven, making it difficult to collect fine particles and wrangle debris effectively,  which is the entire point of sweeping. Think of it like trying to paint with a worn-out paintbrush, which would fail to spread paint evenly. Trimming removes those damaged ends, allowing the broom to regain the straight, dense edge it needs for proper sweeping.

Once trimmed, your broom is as good as new and ready to get back to work, no matter what specific cleaning task it is designed for. Not only does this save you a few bucks on frequent broom replacements, it also ensures more productive sweeping by reducing how many passes you will need to do.

Trimming your broom's bristles is a simple, straightforward process that only requires a sharp pair of heavy-duty scissors or utility shears. Lay your broom on a flat surface. If the broom head is angled, ensure the bristles point upward. Take a moment to carefully inspect the broom's bristles, especially the most worn areas. The goal is to create a clean and even line across the bottom of the bristles, so don't be afraid to remove just a little bit more beyond the worn tips. Aim for that consistent length along the bottom, and take your time making small, controlled cuts while you work.

It isn't ideal to trim synthetic plastic broom bristles as they are intentionally designed to flare to create full contact with your floors. If you trim these, you risk losing that like-new level of performance. Natural fiber brooms, however, can be trimmed. These require a gentle approach, though, to avoid pulling out entire strands. And remember that the key is to keep that flat base, which ensures the best possible sweeping performance.

Regular trimming as needed will keep your broom in top-notch shape. It may need to happen as often as every few months, so keep an eye on it. And remember that, while trimming is a good way to get more mileage from your broom, every tool eventually reaches the end of its road. If you have trimmed your broom down to a nub, it might be time to get a new one or repurpose it instead.