A whisk broom is a type of short handled broom which is very useful for some household applications. Whisk brooms of sturdy and durable construction are available in almost any hardware store, and come in a variety of materials from plastic to traditional broom corn. While a whisk broom is not a vitally needed household tool, many people find them useful for small cleaning projects and dusting.
A whisk broom differs from a traditional broom because of its handle length. Most whisk brooms have either a small knob or a very short handle to grip. For this reason, a whisk broom is not practical for large sweeping projects, but it is ideal for sweeping a pile into a dust pan or reaching into small corners in which a normal broom cannot maneuver. Some people also use a whisk broom as a duster, or to brush down clothing.
A standard whisk broom is made from broom corn which is tightly sewn into the fan like shape associated with regular brooms. The top of the broom corn is knotted and bound in string to create a handle for the user. Plastic is also used to make whisk brooms, although it does not stand up as well in the long term as regular broom corn. Some companies also make whisk brooms from palm, sorghum, grass, and other plant materials.
In addition to dusting furniture, a whisk broom can also be used to remove soil from clothing. Several companies manufacture whisk brooms for this express purpose, and they are very useful for removing dirt, mud, pollen, and other substances from jackets and dry clean only clothing. In addition, a whisk broom for clothing helps to smooth the grain of the fabric and even out the overall appearance of the clothes.
A whisk broom can be kept in the kitchen for small cleanup projects, as well. Rather than taking out a full sized broom in a crowded kitchen or dining room to sweep up broken glass or spilled food, a whisk broom can be discretely and easily used to eliminate minor messes. A whisk broom can also be kept by the door to remove street soil from the shoes of people entering the home.
When selecting a whisk broom to purchase, look for one that is very sturdy, and preferably double sewn. Poorly made brooms will tend to shed as they are used, often creating more of a mess than there was originally. You can also pull on the broom corn in the store to see how loose it is, and make sure that there are no loose threads or pieces which might come apart as the broom is used.