Your bedroom is your personal sanctuary, a place where you retreat to in order to unwind and recharge. The scents in this space can have a powerful impact on your mood and overall well-being and should be on the top of your list when making your home smell nice.
Having a clean and nice-smelling bedroom will also help you to be happier at home. Our sense of smell is one that evokes emotion the most and therefore should be a priority for the place where we start and finish our day.
Cleaning a bedroom regularly is one of the ways to maintain a nice-smelling sleep space, however, it's also worth considering what not to do. Here, our experts explain exactly what people with nice-smelling bedrooms never do to make their space as calm and relaxing as it can be.
6 Things people with nice-smelling bedrooms never do
Maintaining a bedroom with a pleasant scent involves various practices and habits that people with nice-smelling bedrooms tend to follow. Below are seven things they typically avoid.
1. Neglect cleaning
Nasty smells can accumulate in the bedroom if it is not cleaned correctly and people with nice-smelling bedrooms understand the importance of regular cleaning. Knowing how to clean a bedroom is an important skill that will enable you to keep your bedroom smelling nice and clean all the time.
‘People with fresh-smelling bedrooms aren’t sporadic with their cleaning schedule,’ says Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning. ‘They avoid allowing dust and dirt to accumulate because they know these can lead to musty odors.’
Regular cleaning, including dusting, vacuuming, and mopping all surfaces. You should also pay special attention to areas that are prone to odors, such as the trash can. A full trash can can be a major source of unpleasant odors in any room, especially in the bedroom.
Be sure to empty your trash can regularly, and take out any trash bags that are full of food waste or other items. You may also want to consider using one with a lid, like this trash can from Amazon, to help keep odors trapped inside.
2. Leave dirty laundry on the floor
One of the biggest culprits for a bad-smelling bedroom is leaving dirty laundry on the floor. Dirty clothes can trap odor and bacteria, making the room smell musty, especially if left in the bedroom for an extended period.
People with nice-smelling bedrooms make it a habit to promptly remove dirty laundry and keep it in a designated laundry area or hamper, like this wicker laundry basket from Wayfair. And if you have any dirty clothes that need to be washed right away, hang them up or put them in a sealed bag until you have time to wash them.
3. Forget the mattress
‘People with fresh-smelling bedrooms pay attention to their mattresses,’ says Muffetta Krueger, founder of Muffetta’s Domestic Assistants. ‘They know that mattresses can trap odors over time.’
To keep your bedroom smelling fresh, periodically vacuum your mattress, sprinkle baking soda on it, let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum again. The Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Vacuum Cleaner from Amazon is a great all-round vacuum that also illuminates invisible dust that you can’t normally see so that you will be able to ensure all of the dust and dirt is collected. This simple routine can help eliminate odors and keep your mattress fresh.
Another method to try when cleaning a mattress is to rotate and flip it regularly, this way the air does not become stale and you can free up dust and dirt that would otherwise accumulate.
4. Use strong air fresheners
While it may be tempting to use overpowering air fresheners to mask bad odors, I caution against it,’ says Kait Schulhof, cleaning expert and founder of A Clean Bee. ‘Overusing artificial air fresheners or strongly scented candles can be overwhelming and unpleasant.’
These products often contain harsh chemicals that can irritate our lungs and contribute to indoor air pollution. People with nice-smelling bedrooms opt for subtle, natural fragrances or essential oils for a more soothing atmosphere.
Try scents that harmonize with the different times of the year. Citrus scents for spring, floral notes for summer, woody and spicy aromas for fall, and cozy vanilla or cinnamon for winter. By incorporating scents that align with the seasons, like this Cythera Aromatique Room Spray from Aesop, you'll create an ever-evolving aromatic experience that captivates the senses.
5. Overlook proper ventilation
Proper ventilation is crucial for keeping a bedroom smelling fresh. While it's essential to maintain a comfortable temperature, don't keep your bedroom windows closed all the time.
Opening windows to let in fresh air, especially during mild weather, can help circulate and refresh the room's atmosphere, and using a fan or air purifier to circulate and filter the air. If you have a ceiling fan, home servicing expert Tommy Mello, suggests running it counterclockwise in the summer to help circulate cool air. And in the winter, run it clockwise to help circulate warm air.
Also, make sure you know how to clean a window air conditioning unit and heating filters as they can trap dust and odors.
6. Allow pets on the bed
Pets can bring joy and companionship, but they can also contribute to odors in the bedroom, such as pet dander or accidents. People with nice-smelling bedrooms establish boundaries and do not allow pets on the bed. Cleaning expert Katie Lambert suggests providing them with a cozy bed of their own, like this one from Wayfair, in another part of the room, or even in the hallway.
Also, make sure pets are clean and groomed. Dirty or smelly pets can introduce odors into the bedroom. Regular grooming and cleaning of pet bedding can help maintain a fresh scent.
FAQs
Why can bedrooms smell after sleeping?
If your bedroom is not appropriately ventilated, the moisture from our breath has no place to go and will build up in the coldest areas in your bedroom. Over time this can lead to an excess of dampness and can cause mold to grow. This will in turn produce a bad smell throughout your bedroom.
A welcoming, fresh-smelling bedroom is a sanctuary for relaxation and rest. Achieving this may seem like a daily challenge, but by following these practices and avoiding the mentioned habits, you can create a bedroom with a pleasant, inviting scent that promotes relaxation and a better sleep environment.
