The basic cleaning item of sweeping equipment is typically one of the least expensive articles that are specified for a facilities contract and therefore one of the most frequently ordered items. Small faults with items such as broken clips, splayed bristles or worn dustpan lips are usually replaced on an annual basis (typically every 2-3 years) without any comment or complaint. This is often a specification problem.
The key components of a brush set are outlined below, how they can be assessed for purchase and the simple maintenance needed to extend the life of the brush beyond the first season of use.
Matching bristle type to the surface you actually sweep
The broom bristles are typically made from synthetic filaments. Soft, flagged bristles are ideal for sweeping up fine dust and hair on smooth surfaces such as polished concrete, vinyl and hardwood floors. Stiff, unflagged bristles are better suited for rough surfaces such as gravel, wood chippings or even wet and dirty snow and won’t pick up fine dust on smooth surfaces.
In most facilities there are a variety of floor types both within the interior and external areas. For the majority of cleaning tasks it is required to use both soft bristle Sweeping Brooms and stiff bristle Sweeping Brooms, to pick up finer particles on smooth surfaces and larger debris on rough surfaces. Instead of buying a few so called ‘universal’ Sweeping Brooms, which in reality will not be adequate for the majority of the various floor types found within your facilities, opt for individually designed Sweeping Brooms to achieve the very best results on each floor type.
Rubber and silicone heads for problem debris
Rubber bristles are generally best for sweeping of hair, pet hair and other fiber types. Rubber bristles are also very effective for the sweeping of wet surfaces, acting much like a squeegee to channel water toward a drain before you finish the area with a spin mop with bucket set. Note however that rubber can get stuck in carpet and will be very slow for sweeping of such surfaces. Rubber also has a short life in direct sunlight.
The dustpan features that decide whether debris stays in
If the dustpan fails, it is usually at the leading edge of the pan’s lip. A dustpan’s lip needs to be of sufficient thickness to withstand the pressure that is placed upon it but should not flex. The lip should wear evenly to a point and, ideally, be of a thin stiff material some 3-5mm in thickness, beveled at the edge.
- A rubber or TPE lip that stays flat on uneven surfaces and tolerates repeated scraping
- Side walls high enough that debris does not spill when the pan is carried across a room
- A teeth strip or comb ridge on the pan body for pulling lint and hair off the broom head
- Hanging holes or a clip that holds the pan on the broom handle during transport
- A capacity suited to the task, since small pans mean more trips to the bin on larger floors
Upright versus hand-held formats
For constant use by staff, long handled upright dustpans with hinged lids are recommended as they reduce the amount of bending. However for occasional use of different areas hand held dustpans are far better for use on stairs, in cars and in very small plant rooms. Operations that require both types should specify both models to avoid being supplied with less than optimal tools.
Comparing common set configurations
| Configuration | Best suited to | Main limitation | Typical replacement cycle |
| Short-handled plastic set | Kitchens, counters, workshop benches | Bending required, small capacity | 12 to 18 months |
| Long-handled upright with lid | Retail floors, corridors, schools | Bulky to store, hinge wear point | 2 to 3 years |
| Rubber-bristle set with squeegee edge | Salons, veterinary, food prep areas | Poor on loose dry grit | 18 months to 2 years |
| Heavy-duty push broom and scoop pan | Warehouses, yards, loading bays | Unusable in confined spaces | 2 years with head replacement |
Handle construction and the connection point
Do not allow broom handles to break through sloppy storage. Rather look for models that are fitted with metal handles into plastic sockets with locking collars, riveted joints or even better, one-piece molded handles. The average user height for sweeping is between 48-55 inches or 1220-1400mm. Telescopic handles are suitable for sharing but only with twist collars, NOT push-button locking types.
Maintenance that extends working life
As shown in the illustration above, the simple act of hooking a broom on a wall will save it from being bent or creased when it falls to the ground in a closet. It will save you a lot of money in the long run!
- Pull hair and fiber from the head after each shift using the pan comb or a stiff card.
- Rinse synthetic heads weekly in warm water with a neutral detergent, then dry bristle-up.
- Check the dustpan lip monthly and retire pans where the edge has gone wavy.
- Store away from radiators and direct sun, both of which make filaments brittle.
- Color code heads by zone where food safety or infection control applies.
Fitting sweeping into the wider cleaning sequence
Dry sweep prior to wet clean. Work that combines the functions of sweep and clean is best carried out using a broom in conjunction with a spin mop and bucket. The action of the wringer on the spin mop will ensure that all solids are kept out of the clean water and thus prevent re-depositing of these onto the floor. The broom is used for heavier debris such as mud etc, the dust mop being treated for dust control purposes.
Buy the right Sweeping Broom for the floor surfaces that it will be sweeping, look at the dustpan lip prior to purchasing in bulk, and look at where the bristles are attached to the handle. Store all your cleaning tools at the end of shift and you will find that they last twice as long.
