If you’ve ever ridden an escalator, you’ve probably noticed the small brushes lining the sides of the steps. Maybe you’ve even run your shoe along them just for fun, assuming they’re there to wipe off dirt or dust. It’s a common misconception, but the truth is—those brushes have nothing to do with cleaning.
In reality, they’re a safety feature designed to prevent accidents. And once you know why they exist, you might start looking at them a little differently.
What are escalator brushes actually called?
Surprisingly, they don’t have a fancy technical name. They’re just called escalator brushes. Some people, however, refer to them as “skirt deflectors”—not because they have anything to do with clothing but because the “skirt” is the name for the narrow gap between the steps and the side panel of the escalator.
It’s easy to ignore that small space, but it can be dangerous if something gets caught in it—which is exactly why the brushes are there.
Why do escalators have brushes?
Most of us step onto an escalator without thinking twice. Maybe we’re balancing shopping bags, scrolling through our phones, or just impatiently waiting to get to the top. The last thing on our minds is whether or not we’re standing too close to the edge.
That’s where these brushes come in. Their main job is to keep feet, clothing, bags, and other loose items from getting too close to the escalator’s moving parts.
It might sound extreme, but escalator accidents do happen—and they can be serious. Over the years, people have gotten shoelaces, scarves, and even fingers or toes stuck in the small gap along the side of the steps. If something gets caught, it can be pulled into the machinery, which can lead to serious injuries or even emergency shutdowns.
How do these brushes help?
Escalators do have other safety features—some have yellow borders on the steps to remind people to stay clear of the edges. But those lines are just a visual warning. The brushes offer a physical reminder.
They work in two simple ways:
They act as a barrier. If your foot, bag, or clothing gets too close to the edge, the bristles push it back, preventing it from slipping into the gap.
They serve as a warning. If you feel the soft bristles against your shoe or leg, your instinct is to step slightly away from the edge—which is exactly what you should do.
