The Clean Sweep | June 2026

Newsletter

Ask any experienced facilities manager what separates a good clean from a great one, and they’ll tell you that it’s the right tool in the right hand. A push broom is not a scrub brush, and a deck brush is not a counter duster. Getting that match right saves time, protects surfaces, and gets the job done the first time. This month, we’re taking a closer look at Zephyr’s brush and handles lineup—and how you can help your customers choose the best tool for every job.

Choosing the Right Brush

One of the most common mistakes in facility cleaning is reaching for the nearest brush rather than the right one. The wrong bristle material can scratch a surface, miss fine debris, or wear out twice as fast as it should. Helping your customers understand the basics of brush and handle selection is one of the simplest ways to add value to your relationships.

Here’s a quick framework to share:

Surface type matters. Concrete and rough outdoor surfaces need stiff, durable bristles—palmyra fiber is a classic choice. Smoother indoor floors, counters, and equipment call for a softer synthetic that won’t scratch.

Task type matters. Sweeping, scrubbing, and dusting are different actions requiring different tools. A deck brush built to scrub grout and tile isn’t the right choice for a countertop, and a counter brush isn’t going to clear a loading dock.

Handle compatibility counts. The right brush paired with the wrong handle creates ergonomic problems, faster wear, and employee frustration. Making sure the handle fits the application—length, material, thread type—is just as important as the brush itself.

When you help customers think through these questions, you’re not just selling a brush or handle, you’re saving them a return trip and building the kind of trust that keeps them coming back. If you need to talk through the right product match for a specific customer application, give us a call, we’d love to help.

Product Highlight: Brushes and Handles

Zephyr’s brush and handle lineup is built to cover every cleaning scenario your customers face—from the floor to the countertop, and everywhere in between.

Floor Brushes: Our specialty floor brushes include deck scrub brushes in palmyra fiber, bi-level scrub brushes for grout and textured surfaces, and a Proex marine brush built for wet, demanding environments. These are the tools that get into the scrubbing jobs a push broom can’t handle.

Handheld Brushes: Counter brushes, hand scrub brushes, and pot brushes round out the lineup for close-in work—dusting equipment, scrubbing food service surfaces, or clearing corners that larger tools can’t reach. Having these on hand means customers have a complete cleaning solution, not just the big tools.

Handles: A quality brush is only as good as the handle behind it. We offer a full selection—mopsticks in a variety of sizes and styles (including our highest-rated Side-Lok™ plastic head), threaded handles in wood and metal, fiberglass and tapered options, and clip-on handles that fit most standard frames. The right handle improves control, reduces fatigue, and extends the life of the tool.

Approaching 100 Years

Zephyr Manufacturing Company was founded in 1927 by my great-grandfather Harry E. Lindstrom in Kansas City, Missouri, under the name Acme Broom Company with a product line that consisted entirely of brooms. Nearly a century later, I’m proud to be the fourth generation Lindstrom leading the company, and the product lineup has grown to cover everything from industrial mops and dust mops to microfiber, brushes, handles, and more.

In 2027 Zephyr turns 100. That’s a milestone worth noting, and one we’re proud to recognize alongside my family, employees, distributors, customers, and industry partners. We’ll have more to share as we get closer, so for now … thank you for being part of what’s made nearly a century of the work we do possible

If you have questions about any of our products or need help finding something specific, call us at (800) 821-7197 or email info@zephyrmfg.com. We’ll make sure you get exactly what you need.

Our team is committed to serving you.