If you hate the idea of buying cheap, toxic stuff destined for the dump, you’re going to love Bürstenhaus Redecker brush sets. These brushes are skillfully made and have a sweet history.

Friedrich Redecker, Sr. learned the craft of brush-making as a child and began to sell his handmade goods in 1935 in rural Germany. Three generations and 80 years later, the business is still family owned and operated. Friedrich’s grandson continues in the tradition, by keeping production based in Germany, using high quality natural materials and assuring skilled craftsmanship.

This handcrafted dust pan and brush set is made with:

• Sleek stainless steel, that leaves no space between the ground and pan.
• Wood handles made from German beechwood.
• Extremely efficient 100% natural horsehair brush.
• Leather loops on both handles for easy storage.

You’re probably wondering how they come by the horse hair. Although I love natural fibers and materials, I want to be assure no animals were harmed in the process. Horse hair comes from shaving either the mane or the tail of the animal and is as painless to the horse as when you get a haircut.

The advantage of horse hair is that it’s particularly good at picking up smaller dust particles and debris. Because this is natural hair, you can also shampoo and wash the brush! Then leave to dry, but be sure not to expose to high heat. Once dry, give it a comb to do away with tangles, returning the brush to mint condition.

The steel dust pan is so well made that it makes completely flush contact with the ground, allowing no debris to sweep underneath. While the wooden handles are made to contour the palm, so it feels good to hold the set. You can keep the wood in good condition by oiling with linseed oil.