When it comes to brooms, the cleaning business would be lost without them.  Around this spooky time of year though, brooms take on a magical meaning.  Besides being a historical cleaning tool, folklore believed brooms had magical cleansing properties, possessing the ability to “sweep” out negative energy and bad luck. 

 ​Furthermore, It is speculated that the use of brooms date back to cave-dwelling times in a crude and primitive form.  These were cobbled from a stick and twigs or straw and didn’t last very long.  As of 1797, the quality of brooms improved drastically when Farmer Levi Dickenson of Hadley, MA crafted one for his wife with a variety of sorghum tassels.  When the neighbors heard of the craftsmanship, word spread like wildfire, leading Levi to start manufacturing his handmade brooms .  

We know that brooms are important, whether they are magical or not.  But are you using the right broom on your floors?  Let’s look at the right broom for the job.  Tile floors have a glossy finish, keeping them resilient and looking nice.  For this reason, it is best to use brooms with bristles made of flexible materials like rubber.   Check out this broom made by EvriHolder.  

Likewise, a soft bristle broom is recommended on hardwood floors to avoid scratching the finish.  Horse hair bristles are fine and soft, helping your floors maintain a sparkling luster.   This ergonomic Bissell broom will help you get the job done.  

On marble floors, microfiber brooms and dust mops are designed to handle the brittle texture.  Sweeping should be done on a fairly regular basis, as procrastinating will make the dust much more difficult to clean later.  Here’s a nice one to splurge on from MicroFiber Wholesale.  

For concrete floors, a more rigid bristle helps to sweep away large debris.  Still, an outer layer of soft bristles are necessary to pick up fine dust particles, and a more lightweight handle mitigates sweeping fatigue.  ​This one, called the “bulldozer”, lives up to its name.

For those on a budget, this all purpose broom from casabella will help you pick up any debris with its densely packed bristles.  Pair it with this OXO dustpan to leave not a speck of dirt on the floor.  

If you’re the type who respects a sturdy broom for both your sweeping and flying needs, make sure you know the floor you will be using it on.  Happy Halloween!  

Seasonal cleaning is daunting, but everything is easier when broken down into steps.  Check out this list to know where to start:

1. Before deep cleaning, start with organizing.  This will involve an overhaul of all your cluttered cabinets and closets, as well as an investment in organizational supplies.  Start in the kitchen, throwing away anything expired.  Sort your spices and dry goods, then move on to your perishables.  Refrigerator organization is the most important!  You don't want to run into two month old leftovers.

2. Gather supplies.   Make sure your vacuum has all its attachments, your duster is operational, you have plenty of clean rags and brushes, and all the right cleaners.  Household items like borax, baking soda and vinegar are affordable cleaning chemicals, and you can make your own all purpose cleaners.

3. Start high to low, focusing on the more public rooms first as they will need the most attention.  High dust, vacuum drapes and curtains, clean window sills and wells, clean baseboards.  Pick up clutter, spot clean spills, clean electronic screens.  Then make sure you get into the deep cleaning, leaving no cushion unturned.  Don't forget to clean smoke alarms and replace their batteries.  

4. Using the high to low method, move to the less public areas like the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms.  Go through your closets and dressers and donate unwanted items.  launder any linens that don't get much attention.  Rotate your mattress and put new sheets on the bed.  In the bathroom, clean the toilet basin, sinks, and bath tubs.  Polish mirrors and chrome fixtures.  Put some elbow grease into grout removal and mop floors.  In the kitchen, wash and put away dishes.  Vacuum the coils behind your refrigerator, change stove drip pans, clean the oven, sanitize surfaces and clean your dishwasher.  

5. Clean the outside: remove debris from the lawn, clean gutters, trim tree branches, prune shrubs and bushes, power wash decks, patios, siding, etc.  Dry out hoses, fountains, birdbaths and irrigation systems and store in a dry place.  Aerate the soil, feed the lawn, and protect any cold sensitive plants.

Elizabeth Carter--Office Manager, Country Club Janitorial.