I’ve been in a serious cleaning mood lately — maybe it’s the start of a new year, or just the urge for a fresh start. If you keep small hand brooms handy for quick cleanups, you might want them to look as good on display as they are useful. That inspired me to dip dye a few of mine, and now they hang on my DIY peg rail and actually look nice when they’re not in use.
This project isn’t essential, and it won’t be for everyone. But if you enjoy making everyday tools feel intentional and attractive, dyeing a broom is a small, satisfying update. Below I’ll walk through the simple materials and steps I used, plus a small leather strap detail I added to finish the look.
Materials Needed
- Handheld mini broom (any basic small broom will work)
- Liquid fabric dye (I used RIT liquid dye)
- A tall, narrow bucket or container that can hold hot water and the broom
How to Dip Dye a Hand Broom
1. Mix the dye
Follow the dye manufacturer’s instructions to dissolve the dye in hot water. Use a container that is tall and narrow enough to allow the broom to stand upright; I repurposed an old plastic mini trash can. Stir until the dye is fully combined.
2. Submerge the broom
Place the bristle end of the broom into the dye bath. Keep it submerged until the color reaches the depth you want — this can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a few hours depending on the intensity you’re after and the dye you use. For an ombré or dipped look, only lower part of the bristles and allow the dye to create a gradual transition.
3. Rinse and dry
When the color is where you want it, remove the broom from the dye and rinse under cool water until the runoff is clear. Let the broom air dry completely before using it.
Optional finishing touch: add a leather strap to create a neat hanging loop. I used a 7-inch leather strip, punched a hole at each end, wrapped it around the handle, and secured it with grommets. The strap gives the broom a polished look and makes display simple.
More dyeing ideas
- Reverse tie dye — a bleach-based shibori method that creates striking negative patterns and is one of my most popular tutorials.
- Dip-dyed woven baskets — use a little fabric dye to give plain baskets a bright, modern edge.
- Leather shoe dyeing — a simple way to refresh or recolor leather footwear.
- Dyeing synthetic materials — techniques for working with carpets and other synthetic fibers.
Photography Brittni Mehlhoff
How is your year starting out? Do you get the same urge to clean and refresh at the beginning of the year, or do you reserve projects like this for another season?