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Some television shows are designed to help us make positive changes in our lives. They can inspire us to cook more, declutter, deep clean our bedroom, or even convince us that we too, can install a new shower. It's often difficult, however, to move from the "watching on TV" phase to taking the necessary steps to do the thing we're intent on accomplishing. With everything we have on our to-do list, bedroom cleaning often falls by the wayside. No one ever sees it besides us, so really, what's the point?
If you're looking for inspiration beyond your TV binge, the following bedroom deep-cleaning tips may motivate you to jump in and organize, declutter, and clear your living space.
Get your bedroom ready for a deep clean
Take steps to prepare your bedroom for deep cleaning. Plan your deep cleaning session for a long weekend. You can start out small on Saturday afternoon with general cleaning. By Monday morning, you'll be ready to deep clean your bedroom and be in the proper mindset to do so. It's easy to get overwhelmed. Spreading the job out over the course of a few days can be helpful.
Getting started, however, can be a challenge. Certified professional organizer Hellen Buttigieg gave us an easy bedroom-cleaning checklist to help with the process.
"Start by clearing the tops of your night tables and all other flat surfaces. Keep just the essentials out — a lamp, a clock, and the book you are currently reading. Everything else can be stored in a drawer or kept in a basket nearby," the host of the show NEAT on HGTV and Discovery Home suggested to Mom.com.
Buttigieg's compassionate yet straightforward knack for getting show participants to sift through the clutter in their lives was the inspiration for me as a young mom, all those years ago, in getting my apartment in order. Clearing my space also helped me become more calm and relaxed. In the early 2000s, with three kids under the age of 4, a calm and relaxed mom was imperative.
Trying to wind down and relax in a cluttered space can often cause stress. "Freshening up your bedroom may help you sleep better, which will elevate your mood and increase your productivity," Buttigieg told Mom.com.
Mother of four Whitney Cornelison agreed. "Clutter absolutely affected my mood so we simplified our belongings. Taking a monthlong road trip showed us that we didn't really need all the things we thought we did. When we moved into our apartment, we downsized even more," she told Mom.com
Clearing out the clutter and getting rid of things is key. Buttigieg suggests going through drawers and getting rid of things you no longer use. "This is the time to toss socks without partners and worn-out undergarments; treat yourself to new ones. Consider using dividers in your drawers to keep smaller items contained and organized."
Deep-cleaning bedroom checklist
Once you've completed a general bedroom cleaning, it's time to begin deep cleaning:
- Remove linens and comforters from the bed and wash linens
- Vacuum carpet, mattress, and perimeter of the room
- Thoroughly dust all surfaces:
– baseboards
– furniture
– lamps
– photo frames
– window sills
– ceiling fan - Remove curtains or drapes and wash
- Dust and clean horizontal blinds and replace missing slats
- Clean windows with window cleaner
- Use window cleaner on mirrors (wipe with a newspaper to eliminate streaks)
- Clean light switches and switch plates with a melamine-foam sponge Add fresh bedding and clean curtains
Bedroom organization hacks
Many of us struggle with keeping our bedroom closet clean and organized. The results may last for a few weeks after a deep cleaning, but old habits die hard. Maintain a clean and uncluttered space with shelving systems, bins, and baskets.
Blogger Cyn Gagen says that just putting items away in bins isn't enough. For her, everything needs to be out of sight.
"Even when it's neatly contained clutter, it's just too much visual stimulation for me,” she explained to Mom.com. "So, I've been putting things away into closed bins, closets, etc., and it feels like a weight lifted off my shoulders — and my mind."
Design expert Marty Basher is all about bedroom organization hacks. He suggests adding shelves and drawers to make full use of your space.
A home organization expert at Modular Closets also shared this advice with Mom.com: "Don't forget your closet doors. You can hang your hats, belts, jackets, scarves, and much more. You only need to install some hooks,” he suggested. “If closet space is at a premium, consider adding a shelf tower to neatly store shoes and/or sweaters."
Whether you have a large room or are working within space constraints, these easy bedroom organization hacks should work for everyone. Take advantage of all available space to ensure a clear and uncluttered bedroom. If there's space underneath your bed, make use of it. Basher told Mom.com, "It’s a great space to arrange your shoes, linens, and off-season clothing. It is best to store them first in clear storage boxes so you can easily see them."
