You probably spend a lot of time cleaning places like your dining room, kitchen, and living room—those highly-frequented spots where you usually entertain family, friends, and guests.
However, you may overlook other rooms when it comes to regular cleaning. Say, for instance, your bedroom. Spring cleaning season is the perfect time to take stock of your bedroom and give it a refresh.
There are probably items in your bedroom you rarely (or never) clean—and these items could be harboring dust bunnies and germs (yuck!).
Below, we have a rundown of some popular bedroom items you probably don’t clean very often but should. Go ahead and add these to your spring cleaning list. Happy spring cleaning, everyone!
Bedroom items you didn’t know you needed to clean
1. Air conditioner
Staying cool when sleeping can help you catch a better night of Z’s. Cue the air conditioner. If you have an air conditioning unit in your bedroom window, then you’ll want to perform a deep clean at least once a year.
“Regular cleaning [of your AC unit] prevents dust and debris buildup, which can reduce the unit’s efficiency and lead to poor air quality,” the pros at Spekless Cleaning, a trusted cleaning company in Arlington, Va., tell us. “Cleaning the filter is particularly crucial as it helps maintain optimal airflow.”
The team recommends cleaning the filter every two to four weeks to ensure it functions efficiently and performing a deep clean annually to remove accumulated dirt and debris from the unit’s internal components.
Simply turn off the power to the unit before cleaning. Then remove the filter and clean it using a vacuum with a brush attachment or wash it with mild detergent and water. Use a soft cloth to wipe down the exterior of the unit.
2. Ceiling fan blades
Ceiling fan blades are another example of a bedroom item that’s often overlooked when it comes to spring cleaning. “Dusty fan blades can spread allergens and affect air circulation in the room, which is why regular cleaning helps maintain a cleaner and healthier indoor environment,” shares Spekless Cleaning.
To clean ceiling fan blades, use a pillowcase to cover each blade and gently wipe off the dust. For a deeper clean, use a damp cloth with a mild cleaner to remove stubborn dirt and grime. Dust the fan blades weekly to prevent dust buildup and perform a more thorough cleaning, including wiping down the blades once a month.
3. Door knobs
Door knobs are a high-touch surface area of the bedroom. According to a 2016 study by Penn State, up to 14 different colonies of bacteria can be living on your door knobs. (Ew!)
The good news is that door knobs are incredibly easy to clean. Simply grab a disinfectant spray and wipe it down—or, if you have an aerosol spray, then you can just spray and let it air dry.
You can do this as often as you like, but at least once a week or more often if anyone in your household is feeling under the weather. Don’t forget to cover any crevices!
4. Headboard
According to Spekless Cleaning, your headboard can accumulate dust, oils, and skin particles over time, leading to a buildup of dirt and grime. Regular cleaning helps maintain a cleaner and more hygienic sleeping environment.
The team recommends using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust and dirt from the surface of the headboard. For stains, use a cloth dampened with mild soap and water to gently clean the affected area.
5. Inside the closet
Cleaning your closet usually consists of going through your clothing items two to four times a year. And it is a good rule of thumb is to go through the contents of your closet each season.
However, once you decide what items you want to donate, keep, or sell, dust the walls and shelves and then give the closet a good vacuum so it’s nice and clean before restocking it with your favorite finds. Be sure to pay close attention to corners and crevices where dust can accumulate.
6. Light switches
Light switches are touched probably just as much as door knobs—and just like door knobs, they’re super simple to clean.
While you’re cleaning your bedroom door knobs, grab a disinfectant spray and wipe down your bedroom light switches including the light switch plates. If you have an aerosol spray, then you can spray it and let it air dry.
7. Mattress
Mattresses can accumulate dead skin cells, dust mites, and sweat, over time, leading to a buildup of germs, allergens, and odors. This is why regular mattress cleaning can help maintain a clean and hygienic sleeping environment.
Spekless Cleaning suggests using a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to vacuum the surface of the mattress. Then, spot-clean any stains with a mild cleaner and a damp cloth and allow the mattress to air dry thoroughly before making the bed.
If you want to give your mattress a fresh smell, then sprinkle some baking soda on top of the mattress and allow it to sit for at least an hour before vacuuming it all up. This will help absorb any odor.
You can also haul your mattress outside and let it bask in the sunshine for a fresh springtime scent. You may also want to consider rotating your mattress, which can help prevent it from getting indented from your body weight.
8. Pillows
Just like mattresses, pillows can accumulate dead skin cells, dust mites, and oils over time, leading to a buildup of germs, allergens, and odors.
Spekless Cleaning recommends washing pillows every three to six months to remove dust and dirt and then replacing pillows every one to two years to ensure optimal comfort and hygiene.
For the cleaning method, follow the care instructions on the pillow’s label. Some pillows can be machine-washed and dried, but it’s essential to use a gentle cycle and mild detergent to avoid damaging the pillow fibers.
Foam pillows can’t be placed in a washing machine or dryer, so for those, you’ll need to hand-wash and air dry.
9. TV remote
TV remotes are similar to door knobs and light switches, meaning they’re high-touch surfaces that can harbor bacteria and germs.
At least once a week, use a disinfectant wipe or a cloth dampened with a disinfectant solution to clean the entire surface of the TV remote, including the buttons and the battery compartment.
10. Walls
Walls are probably a spot in your bedroom—and maybe even your whole house—that you never think to clean. However, walls can accumulate dust, fingerprints, and stains over time, leading to a buildup of dirt and grime. Regular cleaning can help maintain a clean and well-maintained appearance.
Spekless Cleaning recommends spot-cleaning walls as needed to remove dirt and stains and performing a more thorough cleaning annually to remove dust and grime.
Simply use a damp cloth with mild detergent to clean walls, focusing on areas that are prone to dirt buildup and stains. You’ll also want to test a small area first to ensure the cleaner doesn’t damage the paint or wallpaper.
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FAQs
What should I clean in my bedroom?
When spring cleaning your bedroom, think of the spots that are often overlooked like ceiling fan blades, mattresses, and pillows. Some items like door knobs, light switches, and TV remotes should be cleaned frequently and as much as once a week, while other items like AC units, headboards, and walls can be cleaned less frequently.
What should you clean your room when you don’t know where to start?
When you don’t know where to start when spring cleaning your bedroom, start small. Think of things like door knobs, light switches, and TV remotes. Once you gain momentum, you’ll be inspired to tackle larger items like AC units, closets, and walls.
How can I make cleaning my bedroom fun?
Make spring cleaning your bedroom fun by calling a friend and catching up and cleaning together, listening to a podcast, or playing some upbeat music. You may even consider making a spring cleaning playlist to get you in the springtime spirits.
Mattress looking extra dirty? Check out these tips for getting common stains out of a mattress.
