Hairnet on a Broom: A Simple and Affordable Cleaning Trick
If you’ve ever tried sweeping up hair, dust, and fine debris, you know that a traditional broom doesn’t always catch everything. One simple household trick is to place a clean disposable hairnet over the bristles of a broom. The mesh can help collect lightweight hair and dust that might otherwise cling to the broom or scatter around the floor.
What You’ll Need
- 1 clean disposable hairnet
- 1 household broom
- A dustpan
- Optional: rubber band or reusable elastic band
How to Do It
1. Choose the Right Hairnet
Use a clean, unused hairnet with a reasonably fine mesh.
Avoid using a hairnet that has already been worn.
2. Place It Over the Broom
Stretch the hairnet over the broom head.
Try to cover most of the bristles without pulling the net so tightly that it tears.
If necessary, secure the edges with a loose rubber band.
3. Sweep Normally
Use the broom as you normally would.
The mesh can help catch hair, lint, dust, and other lightweight debris, making it easier to collect everything in one place.
For best results, use gentle sweeping motions rather than aggressively pushing the broom across the floor.
4. Remove the Hairnet
When you’re finished, carefully remove the hairnet from the broom.
If it has collected hair and dust, turn it inside out or remove the debris over a trash can.
5. Throw It Away or Clean It
Disposable hairnets can simply be discarded after use.
If you’re using a reusable mesh cover, shake off the debris and wash it according to the material’s care instructions.
Where This Trick Can Help
This method can be particularly useful for:
- Bedroom floors
- Bathrooms
- Around furniture
- Corners where hair collects
- Pet-hair cleanup
- Fine dust and lint
A Few Helpful Tips
Don’t use it on wet floors: A hairnet isn’t designed to function as a mop.
Use a fresh net: A clean net works better and prevents spreading dirt around.
Don’t expect miracles: A hairnet can help collect lightweight debris, but it won’t replace a vacuum for deep cleaning or heavy dirt.
Try it on smooth floors: Tile, laminate, and hardwood generally make this trick easier than thick carpeting.
Why It Works
The mesh creates a temporary barrier around the broom bristles. Hair and lightweight particles can become caught in the net instead of becoming tangled deeply into the broom.
It’s a simple, inexpensive cleaning hack that can be worth trying when you don’t have a vacuum nearby.
Sometimes the most useful cleaning tricks are the simplest ones—a basic hairnet and an ordinary broom can make collecting loose hair and fine debris a little easier.