Crafting a Broom Corn Broom: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Make a Broom Corn Broom

Making a Broom Corn broom is a time-honored craft that requires patience and a little practice, but it’s a skill anyone can learn with some guidance. Broom corn, which isn’t actually a type of corn, is a species of sorghum whose long, durable seed heads make ideal bristles for brooms. By following these steps and tips, you can create your own sturdy, eco-friendly broom that works well for cleaning both indoors and outdoors.

What Is Broom Corn?

Before diving into the steps, let’s understand what makes broom corn so unique. Broom corn is a tall, robust plant that produces a brushy top used for centuries to make traditional brooms. The fibrous seed-bearing tops are sturdy and flexible, ideal for sweeping. Broom corn brooms have been made by hand since colonial times and were a staple in American households. They were not only practical but also long-lasting, making them popular before the advent of modern synthetic brooms.

Today, making your own broom from broom corn has a rustic appeal, and it’s also environmentally friendly. Harvesting and using natural materials brings a unique charm to your cleaning supplies.

Supplies for Making a Broom Corn Broom

You don’t need many materials to get started, but the right tools and a bit of preparation will help. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:

• Tools: Tape measure, drill, hammer, wire snips, and scissors.
• Materials:
• Approximately 1/2 to 1 bushel of cleaned broom corn tops (depending on the fullness of broom desired).
• A stick or dowel rod for the handle, ideally around 18 inches long and 1 inch in diameter.
• 1 finishing nail, about 2 inches long.
• 36-inch piece of flexible wire.
• 24-inch piece of cotton string.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Broom Corn Broom

Each of the following steps helps bind the broom corn stems tightly around the handle, creating a solid, effective broom. Remember, the tighter you can bind the corn, the sturdier your broom will be.

Step 1: Harvest and Prepare the Broom Corn

First, you’ll need mature broom corn tops to get started. These can be harvested when the seed heads are fully developed and starting to dry.

• Harvesting: Cut the seed-bearing tops from mature broom corn plants. These should be sturdy but still pliable.
• Drying: Bundle the harvested broom corn tops into small groups and hang them in a dry, well-ventilated area for several days to a week. This drying process strengthens the fibers, which will help your broom stay intact over time.

Once dried, the next step is to remove the seeds from the broom corn:

• Lay several stems on a flat surface, then use a ruler or straight edge to pull along the length of the stems. This will knock off the seeds, leaving just the fibrous parts for the broom. Removing the seeds will make your broom more lightweight and easier to bind.

Step 2: Prepare the Handle

You can use a sturdy wooden stick or an old broom handle as the base of your broom. For a more rustic look, a straight branch can work just as well. Whichever you choose, ensure the handle is smooth and fits comfortably in your hand.

• Drilling the Hole: Drill a small hole through the handle, approximately 1 inch from the end. This hole will hold the finishing nail, which will act as an anchor for binding the broom corn to the handle.
• Inserting the Nail: Insert the finishing nail into the drilled hole, tapping it through so that about half an inch of the nail extends from each side of the handle. This nail will keep the corn stems from slipping as you bind them.

Step 3: Anchor the Wire

The wire is essential for binding the broom corn stems tightly to the handle. Secure the wire to a stationary object, such as a doorknob or a post, which will help you pull the wire tight as you wrap it around the broom corn.

• Attach one end of the wire around the nail on the handle, ensuring about 3 inches of wire extends outward. This extension will help you tighten and secure the wire as you wrap the broom corn.

Step 4: Arrange and Bind the Broom Corn

With your wire secured and handle prepared, it’s time to start binding the broom corn.

• Arrange the Stems: Hold a handful of broom corn stems, aligning the tops about 1 inch above the nail. It’s essential to start with a moderate handful—adding too many at once can make it challenging to bind them tightly.
• Binding: Pull the wire tight and begin wrapping it around the broom corn stems. Rotate the broom handle to ensure the wire wraps evenly around the bundle of stems. This rotation creates a secure hold and prevents the stems from coming loose.

Repeat this process of arranging and binding with additional bunches of broom corn until the broom is full and tightly packed around the handle. For a more durable broom, you can add two or three layers, wrapping each layer tightly with wire until the nail is fully covered.

Step 5: Secure and Trim

After binding all the broom corn to the handle, it’s time to finish the binding process and give your broom a clean, professional look.

• Twist and Trim the Wire: Once you’ve wrapped all the broom corn and are satisfied with its thickness, twist the two wire ends together tightly to secure them. Use wire snips to trim any excess wire, being careful not to cut too close to the bundle.
• Tie the String: Wrap the cotton string tightly around the broom bundle, just above the nail. This string acts as an additional layer of security, keeping the broom corn tightly packed around the handle. Tie it off with a secure knot and trim the ends.

Step 6: Final Shaping

To finish, use scissors to trim the tops and bottoms of the broom corn stems. You may want to cut the tops straight across or in a rounded shape, depending on your style preference. Trim the bottoms evenly to ensure the broom sweeps smoothly across surfaces.

Tips for a Better Broom

1. Select Quality Broom Corn: Mature, well-dried broom corn makes the best brooms. If you grow your own, consider experimenting with different harvest times to see what creates the ideal firmness for your needs.
2. Use Extra Layers for Sturdiness: For a broom that will last, consider adding extra layers of broom corn and securing them with additional wire and string.
3. Practice Makes Perfect: Making a broom corn broom can be challenging at first, especially getting the stems bound tightly enough. Don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts are looser than you’d like—each one will be better with practice.
4. Experiment with Handles: Using branches from different tree species can add unique character and style to your broom. Look for straight, sturdy branches, or repurpose handles from old tools for a more polished look.

Conclusion

Creating a broom corn broom combines tradition, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Though it takes a bit of practice and patience, the result is a handcrafted, functional broom that can last for years. Not only will you have a tool that’s practical, but you’ll also gain the satisfaction of using something you made with your own hands. So why not give it a try and add a touch of handmade charm to your cleaning routine?

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