
You will have to move the brush in more than one direction to pick up your entire pile. The disadvantage of a longer brush is that it isn’t as efficient at sweeping a pile directly into the pan. The pointed end helps to reach into narrow spots. They are more useful if you are going to use your brush set for reaching into corners or for sweeping up with the brush that is in the set. They have more rows of bristles and usually a pointed or narrow end.

Long bushes are shaped more like a rectangle. This is a great shape if you’re looking for a set that will hang flat with the dustpan. These are slightly narrower than the pan and do not have as many rows of bristles. Wide brushes are designed to efficiently transfer a swept pile into the dustpan for disposal. If you’ll be sweeping up larger particles of heavy debris, consider a brush with strong bristles.ĭustpan and brush sets have two types of brushes: wide and long. Strong/stiff bristles will work best if you’ll be sweeping up materials such as concrete or tile. These bristles come in both natural or synthetic materials and are a good all-around brush bristle strength. Medium bristles provide a bit of scrubbing power and are also less likely to scratch your surfaces. However, soft bristles can make it more difficult to perform daily brush-up jobs because they may require extra brushing. Soft bristles may be somewhat absorbent as well, so if you’re working in a wet environment, you might prefer them. Soft bristles, like those made of horsehair or other animal hairs, will not scratch your flooring. How small are the particles you want to clean up? Will you be using your brush on a sensitive surface? The answers to these questions can help you determine what type of bristles would be best. Plastic dustpans are more prone to breakage, especially if you’re performing heavy-duty tasks like scooping up construction materials for a renovation. The edge is not as sharp as metla, however, so picking up the smallest particles may pose more of a challenge. Plastic dustpans are lightweight, less costly, and less likely to scratch flooring. As such, you may prefer to reserve metal dustpans for places like a shop, garage, or outdoors. However, the metal could potentially scratch sensitive surfaces, such as a soft-wood floor. In addition, the metal provides a sharp edge that helps you pick up smaller pieces of dust with ease. They are a more expensive choice, but you may find the longevity worth it. This is a good size for large clean-ups, like household renovation projects, but it’s not the size you’d want for the daily sweeping of your home’s floors. Industrial-style dustpans are over 12 inches wide at the opening and range up to about 17 inches in width. This is a practical size for many applications - easy to handle and small enough to be stored in a home utility closet. Standard dustpans range from 10 to 12 inches across.

They work well for desktop dusting and can conveniently be kept in a desk.

Mini dust pans are six to eight inches across. In a home, however, a smaller pan could be insufficient. Some cheaper models are narrower a narrow pan can be suitable if you’re looking for something to use in a small area, like an office. The width of the dustpan opening makes a difference in your ease of use, so check it before you buy. A plastic dustpan works well for indoor use it should be sturdy, but it does not need to be heavy duty. You’ll likely want a brush with softer bristles that aren’t likely to scratch your floor or furniture. Many indoor sets are more decorative than sets made for outdoors. If you plan to use your dustpan/brush set indoors, consider a combo that is small and easy to store. For many outdoor applications, a dustpan made from metal is ideal.

Also consider purchasing a set with a larger dustpan, as you’re more likely to be working with larger, messier loads - yard debris, for example - than you are indoors. If you plan to use your dustpan/brush set outdoors, consider a brush with stiff bristles, as they do a better job picking up the dirt and carpentry shavings you may encounter outside. While it is a good option for sweeping floors, most dustpan and brush sets are made from more durable materials. Broomcorn is a traditional and natural broom material.
