There’s nothing quite like jumping out of the shower and into a clean bed with freshly laundered sheets. Clean bedrooms are calm, providing the perfect atmosphere for rest and relaxation. However, going from a dirty bedroom to a spotless one can be tedious unless you know what steps to take.
Basic cleaning tasks like washing sheets, putting away clothes, dusting, and sweeping will get your room clean enough, but if you’re looking for expert-level cleanliness, remember these seven areas.
Light Fixture/Ceiling Fan
If your bedroom setup is like most, your light fixture hangs over the center of your bed. Light fixtures are often overlooked when dusting since they’re up high and not in immediate sight lines. They build up thick layers of dust and cobwebs, which can fall on your clean bed or, even worse, stir up your allergies at night.
To clean your lights, first, lay an old sheet over your bed to prevent dirt from falling on your clean blankets. Then, use a vacuum attachment to suction up as much dust as possible. Finally, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the fixture, grabbing the remaining dust.
Use the same process for ceiling fans—start by suctioning all dust with a vacuum, then wipe down each blade with a microfiber cloth. You can also use the pillowcase cleaning hack to wipe each blade so the dust doesn’t spread.
Mattress
Mattresses retain sweat, dander, and odors, but they are surprisingly easy to clean. Just a few simple steps, done 2-3 times a year, can make a significant difference.
The next time you launder your sheets and blankets, take the following steps to clean your mattress:
- Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress and let it sit for at least thirty minutes. The baking soda will absorb sweat and odors.
- Use your vacuum’s upholstery attachment to suction the baking soda and dirt from the mattress. Make at least two to three passes over each section.
- Spot treat stains. (Peroxide is a good mattress stain remover for white mattresses.)
- Optional: Disinfect with a steam cleaner.
Under the Bed
Moving the bed can be a pain, so the floors underneath don’t get as much love as the rest of the room, resulting in thick layers of dust.
If clothes, trash, and other items are under the bed, moving it to clean this area will provide the easiest access. Pick up all items, sweep, and mop, if applicable.
If you don’t have items under your bed, you don’t necessarily have to move the bed. You can guide your sweeper underneath to vacuum the dust. Or run a robovac under the bed to sweep and mop for you.
Curtains and Blinds
Curtains and blinds go untouched in most rooms, not just the bedroom. These window coverings are a hot spot for dust to collect and should be cleaned every few months, especially if you suffer from seasonal allergies.
- Launder curtains according to their care tag. Most are washer and dryer safe.
- Use your vacuum’s upholstery attachment to suction thick layers of dust off your blinds.
- Wipe each blind from side to side with a damp microfiber cloth to remove any remaining dust—work from top to bottom.
Pillows
Like your mattress, pillows become weighed down with sweat and dander. To keep them in peak condition, wash your pillows at least twice per year. Most pillows are machine washable, although checking the care tag before throwing them in the washer is wise.
- Pretreat stains with a laundry pretreatment.
- Wash pillows on the gentle cycle.
- Dry on low to medium heat, fluffing the pillows every ten minutes to prevent warping. (Don’t put memory foam pillows in the dryer.)
Corners of Your Ceilings
Do you look up when lying in bed at night and notice cobwebs? If so, it’s time to tackle them. Take a broom and sweep cobwebs out of the corners of the ceilings and walls.
Wash your ceilings and walls once or twice a year with a mixture of warm water and dish soap.
Closet Floor
Closets are out of sight, which often means out of mind. But these less thought-about bedroom areas take the brunt of dirt. Shoes on the floor, clothes that fell off hangers, and other odds and ends often litter the bottoms of closets, causing serious dirt buildup.
To clean your closet floor, remove all items and vacuum. If your bedroom has hard floors, mop them.
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