Experts are increasingly reminding us that our environment impacts the quality of our slumber. And, they say, knowing how to clean a bedroom correctly is one of the most impactful things you can do to create a peaceful sleep space, which in turn will help us sleep better. While you may have mastered organizing a bedroom to keep your space in order, it’s only natural that your room will become messier throughout the week. But how quickly should you clean up after yourself? And when is it necessary to undergo a deep clean? Organizing experts tell all below – and warn what happens if you don’t clean your bedroom regularly.
How often should you clean your bedroom?
There are a host of cleaning tips (opens in new tab) you can follow to encourage sleep in the bedroom, but knowing when to clean is just as important as the method. How often you should clean your room depends on the level of maintenance required, though generally organizing experts advise doing so daily.
How regularly should you clean your room?
Keeping on top of mess for around 15 minutes a day is, say experts, the ideal. They then suggest dedicating more time for a thorough clean once a week or twice a month, depending on need. A deep clean will be needed every three to four months. ‘I suggest setting a mobile timer for 15 minutes. Specific goals get specific results,’ says Ben Soreff, a professional organizer at House to Home Organizers (opens in new tab). ‘After 15 minutes, one area is now clean or organized, and you don’t feel that pressure to continue.’ Audra George, expert at Pretty Neat: An Organizational Solution (opens in new tab), similarly urges you to set aside a few minutes every day to fulfil quick tasks such as making your bed or removing things – such as dishes – that don’t belong in the space. ‘If you get in the habit of doing this daily, it is usually a quick process. This will ensure the clutter stays away and makes the heavier cleaning much easier,’ Audra says. Meanwhile, she suggests that less essential jobs, such as wiping down your surfaces, are best done weekly.
How often should a room be deep cleaned?
Deeper cleans involve giving your bedroom a complete refresh. This involves tasks like cleaning the mattress, washing pillows, cleaning and organizing drawers, window treatments and even finding out how to clean an air conditioner. The founder of Modern Maids (opens in new tab), Justin Carpenter, suggests a room should be deep cleaned every three to four months to ensure you have no dust on your air vents, baseboards, blinds, and windowsills. ‘This will prevent you from being impacted by allergies and improve your physical health,’ he says.
What happens if you don’t clean your bedroom?
On the surface, an untidy bedroom can feel irritating, and it can dampen your well-curated decorating ideas. However, studies suggest that its effects go beyond aesthetics. ‘A cluttered environment causes increased stress and anxiety, overwhelms us mentally, and causes cortisol levels to rise. This means we are less able to relax and less able to sleep well,’ organizer Audra George warns. Referring to a study from St. Lawrence University (opens in new tab) in New York that suggests that a messy bedroom affects sleep and increases our overall anxiety levels when we awake, Audra emphasizes the importance of keeping on top of mess in a bedroom daily. ‘Other statistics show that people living in clutter take longer to fall asleep and sleep less soundly, impacting how they feel out of their home, too.’
