Broom Buying Guide - Guides & Suggestions

Brooms are one of the most basic but important tools, and come in various forms to meet different needs, especially in the foodservice industry. A broom that can perform the task at hand is vital to the sanitation and cleaning of any kitchen or restaurant, and The WEBstaurant Store has a large selection of brooms to match any task. We've created this buying guide to help you navigate the many facets of broom-buying.

When choosing a broom, the best place to start is where you are. Figuring out what you have is vital to determining what you need. What type of space do you occupy? What type of floors do you have? Are there tight spaces and corners? What type of debris are you usually sweeping up? Deciding these factors will help narrow your options down and make it easier to choose the type of broom that will best fit your establishment. Use the chart below to navigate these variables. The glossary at the end can also help you easily identify the bristle type, bristle material or broom type that you might be looking for.

Glossary

Bristle Type:

Flagged Bristles: Ideal for collecting small dust and debris, flagged bristles are frayed at the ends to help collect small particles.

Unflagged Bristles: Ideal for open areas and larger debris, unflagged bristles are straight bristles without frayed ends. They usually last longer than flagged bristles.

Bristle Material:

Natural Corn Fibers: Ideal for sweeping dust and fine dirt, natural corn fibers are highly durable, and made of expertly bound and hewn corn straw.

Polypropylene Bristles: Great for reaching into narrow spaces, polypropylene bristles are flexible and durable. Great for both indoor and outdoor use.

Polystyrene Bristles: Similar to polypropylene, these flexible bristles are perfect for tight corners. Polystyrene bristles will withstand water, alkaline, acids, grease, and oil, and it will not wear down, break, or fall out.

Synthetic Corn Bristles: Chemical and liquid resistant, synthetic corn bristles can withstand high temperatures up to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. "X"-shaped bristles are excellent for use on carpets and entry mats.

Tampico Fibers: Heat and chemical resistant, Tampico fibers are softer, synthetic bristles, ideal for sweeping smooth floors.

Broom Type:

Amish Broom: Amish brooms are made of high-quality corn straw, bound and sewn by hand. Amish brooms are incredibly durable and last for years.

Lobby Broom: Lobby Brooms are lightweight and ideal for one-handed cleaning under tables, fixtures and hard-to-reach areas.

Mid-Sized Broom: Mid-size brooms are great for general, daily sweeping. For fast, efficient cleaning, use mid-size brooms in hard-to-reach areas, corners or along walls.

Warehouse Broom: Warehouse brooms consist of an over-sized broom head that’s designed for sweeping up dust and other fine debris particles in warehouses, or other large, open areas.

Whisk Broom: Whisk brooms are short, small brooms made for cleaning tight spaces, and are designed for use with dustpans.

Other Ways to Sweep

If your establishment calls for something a little less, or a little more, than what we’ve described, there are other forms of sweepers that may be beneficial to you.

Outdoor Sweepers: Outdoor sweepers are great for parking lots, walk ways and storefronts because they don’t require an electrical cord. Wide cleaning paths help you clean quickly, and brushes help sweep fine dirt as well as large debris into a built-in container.

Vacuum: For heavy-duty cleaning, reach for your vacuum. Perfect for picking up almost anything from fine dust to larger debris, a vacuum cleaner is always handy, no matter what type of foodservice operation you run. Upright vacuums and backpack vacuums are both great for large floor areas, while backpack vacuums are also great for tight corners and for steps.

Indoor Sweepers: Otherwise known as “Hoky Sweepers”, these sweepers are great for indoor use, on tile or carpeting. Low profile designs and no electrical cord make these great for quick and quiet cleaning of floors, entranceways and more.