In the past, when modern household appliances were not yet common, the broom was an indispensable item in every home. Though simple, our ancestors believed it should be placed properly and used correctly. They held that placing a broom in the wrong spot could unintentionally sweep away good luck and push wealth out the door without the homeowner even realizing it. These teachings have been passed down through generations—not only for spiritual reasons, but also as reflections of traditional values tied to feng shui, family order, and home organization.

1. Do not place the broom directly in front of the main door

According to traditional feng shui, the main door is where positive energy enters the home, attracting wealth and good fortune. If a broom is placed right in front of the door or leaned against it, this beneficial flow of energy can be blocked. In folk belief, a broom is used to sweep away dirt; placing it at the entrance may symbolically sweep away prosperity whenever guests enter or the wind blows through.

Beyond spiritual beliefs, from a practical perspective, placing a broom at the doorway makes the home look untidy and creates a cluttered first impression. This area also has heavy foot traffic, so the broom can easily collect more dust and bacteria, becoming a hygiene concern. Many families believe that a clear, open entrance allows energy to circulate freely, contributing to smoother work, better luck, and a more positive state of mind for the household.

Therefore, the broom is traditionally kept inside the house, away from the doorway and not leaning against the door, to avoid negatively affecting the overall fortune of the family. A home with a broom placed right at the front door often “loses points” in the eyes of others, as it suggests disorder, poor aesthetics, and a lack of attention to detail.

2. Do not keep a broom in the living room

The living room represents the face of the family. It is where guests are welcomed and is considered a space symbolizing wealth, reputation, and harmony. Traditional wisdom advises against placing a broom in this area, as a broom is believed to disperse energy and disturb prosperity.

In feng shui, items associated with dirt or mixed energy—such as brooms and cleaning tools—are considered unsuitable for central living spaces. If a broom, especially an old or worn one, is kept in the living room, people believe it can drive away good luck, cause unstable finances, and make it difficult to retain wealth or grow one’s livelihood.

From an aesthetic standpoint, leaving a broom visible in the living room also diminishes the elegance of the space. Keeping the living room clean, tidy, and free of such items is thought to preserve household harmony and create a more comfortable environment for everyone. A dirty broom in the living room can significantly reduce the value and appeal of the space.

3. Do not place the broom in the kitchen area

The kitchen is regarded as the place that keeps the family’s “fire” alive and nourishes health. Fire symbolizes warmth, abundance, happiness, and wealth. For this reason, people in the past strongly avoided placing a broom in the kitchen or leaning it near the cooking area.

According to feng shui beliefs, a broom has dispersing energy that can weaken the positive energy of fire. If kept near the stove, it is believed that family fortune may decline, meals may lose their warmth and togetherness, or work and business may become unstable. Additionally, the kitchen is where food is prepared, so keeping a broom nearby increases the risk of dust and dirt affecting hygiene.

Many families also believe that a kitchen should be bright, clean, and calm for prosperity to arrive. Therefore, the kitchen area should minimize items associated with dirt, such as brooms, to avoid disrupting a space considered the heart or soul of the home. From a practical point of view, the kitchen stores food, so placing a dirty broom there is simply unhygienic and unreasonable.

4. Do not keep a broom in the bedroom

The bedroom is a place for rest, recovery, and emotional balance. Traditionally, people avoided placing brooms in bedrooms because they believed brooms carry active, disruptive energy that could disturb sleep, create unease, and negatively affect the homeowner’s mental state.

In feng shui, the bedroom is a space where energy should gather and settle, not be disrupted by items with conflicting or mixed energy. If a broom is kept in the bedroom, it is believed that the body may struggle to absorb positive energy, leading to fatigue, low spirits, or difficulties in work and finances.

From a practical perspective, the bedroom should be clean and uncluttered. Keeping a broom inside can cause dust to spread, especially in smaller rooms. Therefore, storing the broom separately in a storage room or a designated corner is more appropriate, aligning with traditional beliefs while also ensuring cleanliness.

How to store and place a broom properly for good feng shui and hygiene

In addition to avoiding the four inauspicious locations above, traditional wisdom also offers several practical tips to keep the home clean and minimize negative effects:

• Store the broom in a storage room or a hidden corner, avoiding leaving it in plain sight.

• Hang the broom instead of laying it flat on the floor to reduce stagnant energy and prevent damage.

• Avoid using very old or frayed brooms, as they are believed to symbolize wear, loss, and poverty. In reality, they also make cleaning less effective.

• Replace brooms regularly to maintain hygiene and positive energy in the home.

These teachings are for reference and reflection, but many families continue to follow them, believing that cleanliness and order bring comfort and help maintain a more relaxed and positive state of mind.