Cleansweep Fives

• Type: Racing Broom, Transportation
• Owners: Fred Weasley, George Weasley
• Maker: Cleansweep Broom Company

The Cleansweep Five is a model of racing broom. While a detailed physical description is not provided in the primary novels, it was considered a state-of-the-art broom upon its release. It was a significant improvement over older models like the Shooting Star. The Cleansweep series of brooms is known for using high-quality materials. For instance, the later Cleansweep Eleven model was noted for having a handle made of Spanish oak (Quidditch Through the Ages). It is possible the Cleansweep Five was constructed with similar care and quality materials for its time.

As a racing broom, the Cleansweep Five's primary function is flight. It was designed for speed and maneuverability, making it well-suited for the sport of Quidditch. By 1991, while still a very respectable and serviceable broom, its performance had been surpassed by newer models, most notably the Nimbus 2000. It was, however, far superior to the outdated brooms kept for student use at Hogwarts, such as the Shooting Stars.

The Cleansweep Five was produced by the Cleansweep Broom Company, an organization founded in 1926 by brothers Bob, Bill, and Barnaby Ollerton (Quidditch Through the Ages). The company's first model, the Cleansweep One, revolutionized broomstick design, and the company went on to produce a long line of successful brooms, including the Five, the Cleansweep Seven, and the Cleansweep Eleven. During the 1991-1992 Hogwarts school year, Gryffindor Beaters Fred Weasley and George Weasley both owned and flew Cleansweep Fives. They used these brooms during the Gryffindor's Quidditch matches, demonstrating considerable skill despite not having the latest equipment.

The Cleansweep Five serves as an important benchmark for racing broom quality in the early part of the series. Its introduction in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone helps establish the world of Quidditch and the technological hierarchy among brooms. The broom's presence highlights the performance gap between standard equipment and high-end models, contrasting with both the inferior school brooms and Harry Potter's top-of-the-line Nimbus 2000. The Weasley twins' ownership of Cleansweep Fives underscores their skill as players who can excel without the best equipment, and it also subtly reflects the Weasley family's modest financial situation.