So the new year is almost here, and our attention is officially turning towards refreshing our space for 2026. And, if there's one problem area that's all too often forgotten or overlooked, it's behind and under beds.
It's no surprise, really. After all, they're heavy, cumbersome, and tricky to move.
That's why here we've spoken to professionals for their cleaning tips on how to get the job done easily and without any strenuous effort.
7 Ways to Clean Behind and Under Beds Without Moving Them
1. Use a Long-Reach Vacuum Attachment
As Isabella Flores, cleaning expert from Sparkly Maid San Diego, advises, 'Using a vacuum with an extended flat wand or a crevice tool is one of the best ways to clean under beds and furniture,' which are undoubtedly among the dirtiest places in a bedroom.
'There are various vacuum models available that can accommodate low furniture, such as the Shark Upright Vacuum Navigator Lift-Away, and the BISSELL CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum, both available at Amazon.
'These have long fittings to help with cleaning dust located deep at the back or along baseboards and edges of furniture, while eliminating dirt around your vacuum path.'
Alternatively, adds Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, this Vacuum Attachment Adapter available at Amazon eliminates the need to bend over when cleaning under your bed.
2. Try an Electrostatic Duster
'Long-handled dusters, such as the OXO Good Grips Microfiber Extendable Duster available at Amazon, trap dust instead of sending it into the air,' says Karina.
'Use slow, sweeping motions to gather buildup and follow with a vacuum for a complete clean,' which is one of the quick things people with clean guest bedrooms always do.
3. Use a Mop
If applicable to your specific bedroom, use a flat microfiber mop or duster with an extended handle to get under low furniture and beds to clean hardwood floors.
'A Swiffer Sweep & Mop Deluxe 2-in-1 Floor Mopping and Sweeping Kit available at Amazon or Rubbermaid HYGEN Quick-Connect Flexible Dusting Wand, also available at Amazon, are both excellent options to get under beds,' says Isabella.
'The microfiber material will trap dust rather than distribute it, and the flooring will remain clean and shiny. To help trap finer particles and lint, lightly spray the mop or pad with a dust-repelling cleaner or all-purpose cleaning solution,' such as the Method All-Purpose Cleaner available at Walmart.
In a pinch, adds Karina, attach a microfiber cloth to a mop handle and glide it under the bed to lift fine dust and lint that vacuums might miss.
Or, says Bree Uebergang, co-founder and cleaning expert at Filthy Clean, 'I've wrapped a microfiber cloth around a ruler plenty of times. It's a bit of a hack, but it works.'
4. Blow Out Hidden Dust With a Handheld Air Blower
For tight areas where tools can't reach, you can remove dust using a small electric duster, such as the WOLFBOX MF50 Compressed Air Duster available at Amazon, suggests Karina.
'It blows debris toward the edges, so you can vacuum it up easily,' she explains.
5. Rotate and Clean Stored Items Seasonally
While underbed storage ideas are among the most convenient and space-saving options, when was the last time you cleaned yours?
'Pull out any storage bins or boxes under the bed every few months and dust and wipe them down,' advises Karina. 'This prevents dirt and dust bunnies from building up around fabric or plastic containers.'
For this, we recommend using the Great Value Multipurpose Microfiber Household Cleaning Cloth, available at Walmart.
6. Try a Robot Vacuum for Regular Upkeep
Another tip, from Isabella, if you struggle to reach underneath your bed at all, is to use one of the best robot vacuums to do the job for you.
'The iRobot Roomba i3 EVO and eufy G30+, both available at Amazon, are low-profile models that glide underneath most bed frames and clean automatically. They reduce buildup between deep cleans, especially helpful for allergy-prone households,' as they'll help to combat common allergens.
7. Finish with a Dust-trapping Spray
Finally, Karina advises, finish with a dust-trapping spray. She says, 'After cleaning, mist the area and baseboards under the bed with a dust-repellent, like Endust Multi-Surface Dusting and Cleaning Spray available at Walmart. It helps slow future dust buildup, and keeps the space fresher for longer.'
You can also make your own homemade cleaning spray to repel dust, which can be used to prevent dust on furniture, too.
What to Shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
These microfiber cloths are soft, highly absorbent, lint-free, and are made to last hundreds of washes if you prioritize being sustainable at home and skip the fabric softener, which can dull their absorbency.
This microfiber mop has a telescopic handle that extends up to 51 inches, to make reaching under and behind beds without bending down easy.
This light-weight, compact cordless vacuum cleaner features a rotating slim nozzle and a pull-out crevice tool for hard-to-reach areas.
These amber glass spray bottles are ideal for making your own dust-trapping spray, with an adjustable spray nozzle and UV protection.
This robot vacuum does it all, with strong suction to eliminate dust, a mopping function, a self-charging feature, and smart control straight from your phone.
This heavy-duty duster traps and locks dust with a clever all-around design and three refills.
Meet the Experts
'If you want to go a step further, check under the bed with a torch to spot what’s left, then wipe with a damp microfiber cloth to trap the fine dust,' recommends Bree. 'It’s especially worth doing if you’ve got allergies.'
After all, dust under your bed is one of the things that may be making your allergies worse at home, so learning how to clean without moving big appliances will serve you well in the long term.
