4 quick things people with clean guest bedrooms always do – to keep these spaces fresh and always ready for guests

As often as you might have friends and family coming and going, your guest bedroom never sees as much use as other spaces around your home.

Over time, closed doors, dust and debris can lead to stale odors, while humidity increases the risk of mold and mildew growth.

In my time as a professional cleaner, I've learned a thing or two about the things people with clean guest bedrooms always do. Here, I share my top four cleaning tips, so you can add them to your pre-guest cleaning checklist for your own home –for a warm and welcoming space that is always ready for guests.

4 things people with clean guest bedrooms always do

1. Vacuum and deodorize floors, carpets and rugs regularly

Even in unused rooms, dust and dirt settle on floors and carpets, sometimes even attracting indoor pests. Over time, these particles settle deep into carpets and rugs, making the room smell stale and dulling the fibers' appearance.

To combat this, I try to vacuum unused rooms at least once every two weeks. It might sound excessive, but it’s worth it to keep everything fresh and ready for last-minute visitors, while easily making a guest room feel more homey.

For carpeted floors, I like to start by cleaning the carpet with baking soda, sprinkling Arm & Hammer Baking Soda available at Amazon across the carpet and letting it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes before vacuuming. It's such a simple hack, but it works wonders as one of nature's best deodorizers, instead of just masking them with fragrances.

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2. Use a mattress protector

Trust me – this is essential! The best mattress protectors shield the mattress from dust, moisture, and allergens, which can build up over time and cause odors, stains, and even potential health issues like allergies or respiratory irritation.

Plus, it’s so much easier to toss a mattress protector in the wash than it is to clean a mattress itself. Unlike a bare mattress, which absorbs sweat, skin cells, and spills, a mattress protector acts as a washable barrier, making it much easier to keep the bed fresh and clean.

I wash mattress protectors every couple of months or right after a guest leaves. Most are machine washable, so it’s super easy, but just check the laundry symbols first when exploring, can you wash a mattress topper? I use a gentle cycle with warm water and avoid using fabric softener – this is important as softeners may damage the waterproof layer.

I’ll air-dry it if I have time, but if I’m in a bit of rush, the dryer on low heat will do just the trick.

I personally always keep an extra mattress protector on hand for a quick swap, and recommend replacing them every two to four years, or sooner if you notice cracks, wear, or reduced waterproofing. If it starts looking yellowed or feels less effective, it’s time to retire it and grab a new one.

3. Add a dehumidifier

Unchecked signs of high home humidity often cause musty odors, mold, and even damage to furniture and fabrics, especially in rooms that don’t get much use. Over time, this can lead to that unmistakable “old house” smell that no amount of air fresheners can fix.

Adding one of the best dehumidifiers, such as the Waykar 2000 Sq. Ft Dehumidifier available at Amazon, helps pull excess moisture out of the air, helping to reduce your home's humidity and preventing stale smells from settling in. I typically run a dehumidifier for a few hours a day in unused rooms, especially during humid months. If the room feels damp or smells a little musty, I’ll let it run longer until the air feels dry.

It is important to clean a dehumidifier, though, and how often you do so depends on a few factors. For example, if you live in a humid climate, you'll need to empty and clean it more frequently, possibly every few days. Smaller rooms or mini dehumidifiers will also fill up faster, so you'll need to check the water reservoir often.

I recommend emptying the water reservoir daily when it’s in use and doing a deeper clean every few weeks to prevent mold or bacteria from growing inside the unit. Clean with vinegar or mild detergent to wipe down the interior components.

If you don’t have a dehumidifier, there are also several simple DIY dehumidifiers to keep moisture under control:

• Silica Gel Packs available at Amazon are perfect for small, enclosed spaces like closets or drawers. They’re inexpensive and highly effective at absorbing moisture.
• Charcoal Bags: Activated charcoal, such as the Basic Concepts Activated Charcoal Odor Absorber available at Walmart, not only absorb moisture but also neutralizes odors. Place a few bags around the room for a natural solution.
• Baking Soda: Set an open box or a bowl of baking soda, such as the Good & Gather™ Baking Soda available at Target, in problem areas. It won’t remove large amounts of moisture, but it will help with light odors and humidity.
• DampRid available at Amazon. This is a great budget-friendly option for absorbing moisture. Place it in closets, under beds, or in corners of the room.

4. Place scented sachets in cabinets and drawers

One of the things people with nice smelling guest bedrooms always do is add scented sachets, which are an effortless way to keep drawers and closets smelling fresh, even in spaces that aren’t used often.

Unlike sprays that fade quickly, sachets release a subtle, long-lasting scent that clings to clothes, linens, and the air around them. They’re also a great non-toxic way to make your home smell nice, and alternative to chemical air fresheners.

Place a sachet, such as the Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Sachet available at Target, in each drawer, tucking it into a corner, hang a sachet on a hanger in cabinets, or set one on a shelf near linens or blankets.

Replace them every one to three months, or sooner if the scent fades. To make the scent last longer, you can occasionally shake or massage the sachet to reactivate the fragrance.

FAQs

What are the three cleaning activities needed in bedroom cleaning?

The most important steps when cleaning a bedroom are vacuuming or sweeping the floor, changing pillowcases and sheets, and washing all covers and linens. These are the easy things people with clean bedrooms always do, for a sanitized space that always smells fresh.

Do you know about the things making your guest bedroom less comfortable? From not having a choice of comfortable pillows to mistakenly using uncomfortable bedding, simple switches can make a big impact when guests come to stay.