Household hack uses hot water, salt, and vinegar to restore brooms

A household cleaning method involves soaking synthetic brooms in a mixture of hot water, salt, and white vinegar overnight to restore their shape and cleanliness. Over time, broom bristles made of nylon or plastic can become bent, splayed, or weakened due to friction and accumulated dirt, grease, or hair.

The hot water helps temporarily soften the plastic fibers, allowing them to realign. White vinegar acts as a cleaning agent to remove grease and buildup, while salt is believed to help the bristles stabilize and regain stiffness as the mixture cools and dries.

To perform this method, the bristles should be submerged in a deep container filled with hot water, one cup of white vinegar, and half a cup of salt. After soaking—ideally overnight for damaged bristles—the broom should be shaken to remove excess water and then hung or placed upside down to dry completely.