How to Choose a Broom

Rick pointing to brooms Marko brooms are made of the finest quality materials so they last under heavy use. Choose your bristle and put them to the test! Keep in mind the type of material you sweep the most and be sure to pick the bristle type to suit your purpose.


Why so many fibers to choose from?

Fine Sweep Acrlyic Broom Stiffness, liquid retention, durability and cost are just a few of the characteristics that make certain fibers better for certain jobs. And since brushes are used for so many different jobs-from dusting to applying wall paper paste-there has to be a wide variety, as shown below:

ACRYLIC is a resilient synthetic fiber that has a moderate heat tolerance, excellent bend recovery and can be autoclaved. It is available in flagged soft bristles that remove fine dust and can replace dust mops. Not recommended for use with oil-based sweeping compounds or on oily surfaces, acrylic fiber brooms work great with wax based sweeping compounds and coated floors. Resists acid and most solvents. Bristle trim length is normally 3 inches.

Medium Sweep BroomPOLYPROPYLENE is a synthetic fiber that is available crimped or straight in a variety of colors. It has a very long life and high resistance to acid and most solvents. For the ultimate "wet area" broom, choose mounted in a plastic block. Tampico is not good for oily floors, but polypropylene will do the job. These bristles are also good for debris of sand and finer. Available in straight and crimped bristles. Crimped bristles hold moisture and are excellent for pushing wet, coarse material. Street brooms are a good example. Bristles strengths range from soft to stiff. Use this fiber for wet or oily areas.


Heavy Sweep BroomBLACK TAMPICO is a synthetic fiber that is available crimped or straight in a variety of colors. It has a very long life and high resistance to acid and most solvents. This is considered a medium sweep bristle, general purpose fiber. May be used in wet areas. Good with oil based sweeping compounds.

STIFF POLYPRO is a synthetic fiber that is available crimped or straight in a variety of colors. It has a very long life and high resistance to acid and most solvents. For the ultimate "wet area" broom, choose mounted in a plastic block. These bristles are also good for heavy debris of gravel and sand. Crimped bristles hold moisture and are excellent for pushing wet, coarse material. Use this fiber for wet or oily areas. Makes a great street broom.


Upright Stick BroomCORN is a natural fiber derived from the maze (corn) stalk. Yellow-green in color, it has a long life and high resistance to most solvents. Oils will cause the bristle to soften over time. Corn is used in stick brooms, not push brooms. Have you ever wondered what the designation of poundage means when purchasing a natural fiber stick broom? For instance, 28, 32, or 36 lb. broom? It's quite simple. The number represents the shipping weight of one dozen brooms. It is a great way to determine the quality of the broom. Marko only carries the best quality in the most popular two types of corn brooms!


back to top

What does "flagged" mean?

Flagged Bristle Many brushes have "flagged" (also known as "feathered") bristles. Flagged bristles contain split ends which decrease stiffness and add liquid and dust retention properties. This soft, synthetic fiber is ideal for dusting, fine sweeping of smooth surfaces and washing vehicles without scratching.


Blocks

Fibers are set into either structural foam or wood blocks, both of which come in a variety of styles and sizes. More and more end-users are choosing structural foam due to its obvious advantages-durability, water resistance and its non-warping, non-splintering characteristics. Nevertheless, many end-users still prefer traditional wood.

Push It

Plastic Block Broom There are several different types of floor brushes (or push brooms) available: Floor Sweeps, for indoor surfaces; Garage Sweeps, for concrete and outdoor use; and Street Brooms, for sweeping heavy debris on rough surfaces. In addition, each of these categories contain a variety of styles and sizes. For larger sweeps, our Handle Braces provide added support and keep the sweep from twisting.

Scrub It

Just as there are many different surfaces to clean, there are many different brooms to accommodate these different needs. What to look for: appropriate fiber stiffness for the job; block or handle ergonomics; and surface coverage. To give synthetic fibers better liquid retention while retaining their superior strength, specify "crimped" fibers.

back to top