Brooms sweep up popularity as cleaning implement

In this week's article, I thought I would discuss a very simple item that has been in America since 1725 — an that item is the American broom.

Early Americans didn't have brooms, vacuums or carpet sweepers.

They used bundles of twigs tied to a handle. It was called a "beson" (pronounced bee-zum) and it wasn't very effective because it left tracks and lines on the floor.

Benjamin Franklin, while on a trip to England, found some small seeds on a hat brush that he was using to clean his hat. He was amazed at how well the brush worked.

After some research, he found that the plant (broomcorn) grew to about 15 feet high, required no irrigation, very little fertilizer, no pesticides and was biodegradable. He also was told that a ton of broomcorn panicles would make would thousand brooms. The rest is history.

While it's incredibly primitive in design, there's nothing handier than a broom for efficiently removing debris from smooth floors, patios and driveways. Brooms also are good for sweeping out carpeted corners and edges before vacuuming.

For relatively small floors, and to prepare carpet for vacuuming, use an angle nylon broom. It can reach into corners better, the split bristles pick up the fine dirt, and the angle end allows more of the broom to come in contact with the floor.

How to buy a broom: For indoor brooms, avoid the type with traditional strawlike bristles since they tend to shed bristles. Instead, look for an angled broom with nylon bristles. They're relatively inexpensive, especially at warehouse shopping centers. The broom should be hung from its handle, otherwise the bristles will bend, making the broom ineffective.

Caution: When using a push broom, remember to switch the handle from your left side to your right side every few minutes to avoid strain and fatigue. When practical, use a vacuum.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed Madan at Northwest Environmental Ser-vices (255-2266) or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified executive housekeeper and certified fire, water and mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is chief executive officer of Northwest Environmental Services, which specializes in commercial, residential construction, and crime scene/meth lab cleanup.