The broom was originally used to more efficiently clean dirt, crumbs, and dust by sweeping them away in a streaking motion across floors and grounds. Early brooms had simple straw bristles and handles, but modern brooms have stronger, longer-lasting materials for both components. While vacuums now compete with brooms, brooms could still be improved by using more sustainable, environmentally-friendly materials like recycled plastics and straws to reduce waste and increase efficiency.