Cozy season is officially here, and while the colder weather means less time spent outside, it does mean more time spent snuggled up and relaxing in your bedroom. But, after a long summer spent with friends and family, your bedroom might be looking less than tidy – with dust and dirt lingering on furniture and surfaces.
To set everything right, professional cleaners urge us to start on some cleaning tasks to refresh your bedroom for winter. From bedding to baseboards, it turns out that some areas require more attention than others
Here, they share their top cleaning tips for a tranquil sanctuary that you'll be happy to spend time in all winter long.
8 cleaning tasks to refresh your bedroom for winter
Ken Doty, COO at The Maids says, 'Getting your bedroom ready for a cozy winter is a ritual that sets you up for the upcoming cold days ahead.'
With that in mind, here's how to do it without ending up cleaning when you feel overwhelmed.
1. Declutter
First things first, brush up on your knowledge of the bedroom decluttering rules and get rid of anything that you don't use or want, suggests Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless.
She says, 'Remove excess items that make your bedroom feel cluttered, especially on surfaces like nightstands or dressers, and store away seasonal items, keeping only essential items on display for a clean, minimal look.'
If you're anything like me, there are likely a load of unnecessary items cluttering your bedside table, which may actually be impacting your sleep. Luckily it's easy to know how to declutter a nightstand, and it shouldn't take too long, either.
Founder of Bear Brothers Cleaning, Forrest Webber, advises, 'Keep only the essentials: a lamp, your latest read, and maybe a winter-scented candle to get those cozy vibes rolling. Everything else? It has to go.'
Then, gather any usable items to donate, in a basket such as the CHERISHGARD Storage Basket available at Walmart, and trash anything that's past rehoming.
2. Flip the mattress
How often should you flip a mattress? Well, Andrew Seed, managing director at The Odd Company, recommends doing so as we enter into the coldest season.
He says, 'Nothing says "refresh" quite like a new bed – well, in this case, making your current one feel like new. The simplest trick? Regularly flipping or rotating your mattress.
'Not only will this extend its lifespan, but it also ensures even wear and tear. Autumn is the perfect time to do this, it helps freshen things up and reduces the build-up of dust and grime.
And, while you're doing so, why not change your bedding and give your throws, blankets and cushions a deep clean too? It's quick and easy to clean throw pillows, but always consult the laundry symbols on an item before throwing it in the machine.
'Nothing is better than snuggling up in freshly laundered cozy linen with some autumnal scents when the cold sets in!' Seed continues.
In between washes, use a fall-scented fabric spray, such as the Pumpkin Patch Linen & Room Air Freshener Spray Room Mist available at Amazon.
3. Wash curtains & blinds
It can be difficult to know how to clean curtains and how to wash and care for curtains and drapes correctly, but cleaning expert Doty recommends washing machine friendly curtains at least twice a year, particularly ahead of winter.
He says, 'If the fabric happens to be non-washable, dry cleaning will be the next best option. For blinds, a deep clean before winter can make a significant difference in the air quality circulating within your bedroom,' and you can learn how to clean blinds, and even clean blinds while they're hanging up.
Doty continues, 'This is even more important during the winter months when your windows will be closed.'
For curtains you cant wash or are difficult to take down, a steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment can make a big difference. We love the Black+Decker steam cleaner as it has several attachments to help clean your whole home, from floors to curtains to tile grout.
4. Change out filters in HVAC systems
Wondering how to clean your HVAC system?
Elizabeth Shields, operations manager of Super Cleaning System Louisville, says, 'If you have forced-air heating, those filters are going to be working overtime. A dirty filter can restrict airflow and even cause your system to break down.
'That’s going to be a struggle for anyone with allergies! Give yourself a breath of fresh air. Literally!'
To do so, replace any disposable filters, and wash any reusable ones in warm, soapy water. We recommend the bestselling Dawn Ultra Dish Soap Dishwashing Liquid available at Walmart to do so, but make sure they are completely dry before replacing them.
And, if you're questioning how often your HVAC system should be serviced, ideally it should be done twice a year – once before summer and once more before winter.
5. Deep clean carpets
When it comes to refreshing your bedroom for winter, professional cleaner Alessandro Gazzo of Emily's Maids also recommends deep-cleaning your carpet.
He says, 'Deep-clean your carpet floors (if you have them) with a proper upholstery or carpet cleaner.' We recommend using an effective detergent, such as OxiClean Large Carpet Cleaner Liquid Solution available at Walmart paired with the best steam cleaner, which you can rent if you do not have the storage space to buy one.
You can also clean a carpet with baking soda, to refresh fabrics and neutralize odors, and you probably have some in your pantry already.
Gazzo continues, 'Carpets absorb moisture, sweat, and bacteria, so get an air purifier if you are not sleeping well at night or if you notice your allergies are all over the place.'
This is one of the best air purifiers on the market, with multiple filter choices, a sleek design, and a whisper-quiet performance, meaning you can use it all night long without experiencing any disturbed sleep.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
6. Dust & polish
Fighting dust can often feel like a never-ending battle, but, if you're asking how often you should dust your bedroom, cleaning expert Toner suggests it's a necessary task to refresh your bedroom for winter.
She says, 'Dust settles on surfaces that often go unnoticed during regular cleaning. Wipe down baseboards and clean light fixtures to make your room feel fresher, using a damp microfiber cloth,' such as the bestselling Eyliden Microfiber Cleaning Cloths available at Walmart, which work best when paired with a homemade cleaning spray, to stop dust re-settling too quickly.
Also, bedroom furniture expert Seed says, 'If you’ve got wooden furniture, a good polish will clean it up and leave it gleaming, giving your room that fresh, well-kept look – just in time to cosy up for the season,' and it's quick and easy to do with popular pick Pledge Expert Care available at Walmart.
7. Wash your windows
Neglecting to wash your window can lead to some window cleaning mistakes that are best avoided, so cleaning expert Doty recommends getting the job done to refresh your bedroom for winter.
He says, 'Treat your windows to a deep clean. These are often overlooked, yet crucial to maintaining a healthy sleeping space as they can harbor large amounts of dust, allergens and even mold if not properly maintained over time.'
Therefore, eliminating these harmful pathogens is important ahead of winter, when you'll be spending much more time in your bedroom.
If you don't know how to clean a window, you can use commercial cleaning spray, such as Windex Glass and Window Cleaner Spray Bottle available at Amazon, or make the best homemade window cleaner, using Castille soap, which is available at Walmart.
In my own home, I use this dish soap solution for streak-free windows, and love the instant, effective results which maximise the natural light in my bedroom.
As cleaning expert Webber says, 'Sure, the days are shorter in winter, but that's even more reason to make the most of what light you do get! Plus, sparkling windows just feel good, and are a nice reminder that winter doesn't always have to be gray and gloomy.'
8. Vacuum
Finally, get out your best vacuum and get to work to refresh your bedroom for winter, recommends Steve Evans, owner of Memphis Maids.
He says, 'Take a full day to truly vacuum every area of your bedroom. The nightstands (inside and out), your closets (inside and out), your frames if you have any, your TV and your headboard.'
For many of these spots it will be easier to use one of the best cordless vacuum cleaners or best handheld vacuums, and we recommend the BLACK+DECKER dustbuster PIVOT VAC Cordless Handheld Vacuum available at Amazon for easy cleaning.
FAQs
How often should a bedroom be cleaned?
It can definitely feel like a chore, but if you're wondering how often you should clean your bedroom, it's important to do so at least once a week.
Dust and sanitize surfaces, change bedding, wipe windows and vacuum, paying special attention to areas under your furniture, like underneath your bed.
While not a cleaning task per se, cleaning expert Forrest Webber also recommends adding a little greenery to your bedroom when refreshing your bedroom for winter.
He says, 'Okay, this isn't technically cleaning, but it's an important part of the refresh. Once your room is spick-and-span, add a winter-friendly houseplant or two. They'll cheer up the space, give you some fresh oxygen, and make it feel like spring isn't that far away.'
These are the best bedroom plants to consider for your space, and don't forget to light a candle, too. You've earned it.
