7 quick things people with clean bedrooms always do to bolster sleep and reduce stress

A clean bedroom isn’t just about appearances – it plays a crucial role in promoting restful sleep and reducing stress.

A clean sleep space can help you wind down, making it easier to relax and fall asleep. People who consistently maintain clean bedrooms often follow these seven simple daily habits that make a big difference.

So clean a bedroom like a pro with these quick tips professional organizers swear by for improved sleep quality and mental wellbeing.

1. Make the bed

Making the bed sets a tone of order and accomplishment and creates an immediate sense of tidiness, giving your bedroom a neat appearance with minimal effort.

Wells Ye, professional cleaner and founder of Fresh Tech Maid, says, 'This two-minute task instantly transforms the room’s appearance. Plus, a made bed creates a sense of order and sets the tone for the day.

'Starting the day with this small win fosters a sense of control, reducing morning anxiety. Returning to a neatly-made bed in the evening signals to your brain that the space is meant for rest, priming you for a deeper sleep.'

There's a way to make a bed the right way but doing it immediately after you wake up isn't it. Allow it to all air out after you get up to allow any moisture to evaporate, which will reduce the elements that make for a cozy breeding ground for dust mites. Don't make your bed immediately upon rising, but certainly do it before leaving the room.

Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning, adds, 'Once you've made your bed, consider adding a Rose Cottage Store Lavender Deodorizer, available from Amazon. Placing a sachet in your pillowcase or around the room helps lower stress levels and improve your chances of a restful night’s sleep.'

2. Change the sheets

Regularly changing your sheets keeps your sleeping environment fresh and hygienic. Clean sheets contribute to better sleep quality by removing allergens, dust, and bacteria that could irritate your skin or respiratory system. Change yours every one to two weeks, or more if you sweat a lot during your sleep.

Lina DaSilva, founder of Toronto Shine Cleaning, says, 'People with clean bedrooms change their bed sheets regularly, which helps remove allergens and maintain hygiene. When you do so, a quick vacuum of the mattress monthly eliminates dust and debris that can affect sleep quality.'

Our guide reveals the most common reasons your sheets won't stay on the bed – plus how to fix each one.

3. Fold clothing to keep things orderly

People with tidy homes never let clothes pile up on chairs or floors in bedrooms. Folding and putting away clothes immediately prevents this annoying clutter from building, keeping your space organized and stress-free.

Steve Evans, owner of Memphis Maids, says, 'Make sure all your clothes are either in your laundry hamper or folded away in your closet, and not on top of your bed or any other surfaces. A tidy room will help you sleep better and gives the impression of having a clean room, even if you haven’t actually cleaned it in a while.

'These Pinkpum Stackable Foldable Closet Organizers from Amazon are ideal for organizing your folded clothes within your closet, and keeping everything under a category.'

Our tried and tested 'file folding' method will help with how to fold clothes to save space. If after folding away all your clothes, your room still feels messy, you may need to consider letting go of things you don’t actively use.

Decluttering your closet will free up space, lessening the chance your clothes will spill over into other areas of your bedroom. A simple tweak you can make at any time is removing out of season clothing and storing them elsewhere such as underneath your bed.

Alex Varela, cleaning expert at Denton Maids, adds, 'Keep only a small laundry basket. This way you won’t have a huge load of laundry to do, and you’d be able to fold and store back your laundry as soon as it goes out of your dryer. I'd also recommend this BoxLegend Folding Board from Amazon to speed up the process of tidying clothes away.'

4. Limit surface clutter

Minimizing the number of items on nightstands, dressers, and other surfaces helps create a calm, uncluttered environment. A clear space can reduce mental distractions and make your room feel more serene.

Vanessa Bossart, owner of GreenTerra Cleaning Service, says, 'Dresser tops and nightstands can easily become clutter magnets. Instead of letting things pile up, aim to keep these surfaces as clear as possible. Tuck everyday items – like chargers, books, or cosmetics – into drawers. This not only makes your room look tidier but also reduces dust, making cleaning quicker and easier. Plus, walking into a room with clear surfaces feels surprisingly calming after a long day.'

Reducing visual clutter in the bedroom definitely dials down the visual stress.

Bossart recommends this set of IKEA SKUBB Drawer Organizers, adding, 'This set is simple, affordable, and great for keeping drawers neat inside.'

5. Dust and vacuum often

Regularly vacuuming and dusting will keep your bedroom free of allergens, pet dander, and dust mites, improving air quality. A cleaner environment reduces the likelihood of allergies disrupting your sleep. Just remember to dust then vacuum to avoid re-introducing allergens.

Ben Soreff, professional organizer at House to Home Organizing, says, 'If you want to sleep soundly, dusting is an overlooked element of cleaning. Bedrooms often have tall dressers or bookcases that never get dusted. Additionally, clean ceiling fans as they collect a lot of dust.'

Soreff recommends this Extend-a-Reach Flexible Ceiling Fan Cleaner Duster from Amazon, which can be combined with a pole to ensure access to all bedroom areas.

Of course, if you really want to prevent dust in your bedroom, you'll probably want to follow it with a quick vacuum. Toner says, 'I recommend keeping one of the best cordless vacuum in the bedroom. It makes quick cleanups so easy – no need to drag a full-size vacuum out of the closet and there's no hassle of plugging in. A regular, quick vacuum of your bedroom reduces dust and allergens, leading to better air quality and improved sleep, especially for pet parents!'

6. Clear the air

Improving air quality indoors with proper ventilation, air purifiers, or even houseplants helps create a healthier sleep space. Fresh air can promote better breathing, leading to deeper, more restorative rest.

Evans says, 'People with clean bedrooms often open their windows for at least 30 minutes a day. If this isn't feasible where you live, then an air purifier will do the trick nicely.'

You can also try shock ventilation, which simply means opening windows for just five minutes a day. If you are opting for one, learn how to choose the right air purifier for your home and lifestyle.

7. Tidy nightly

Spending a few minutes each night with a closing down routine to put things back in their place prevents mess from accumulating. This quick routine helps you wake up to a calm, organized space, reducing morning stress.

Toner says, 'A simple, five-minute tidy before bed each night lowers stress by preventing mess from accumulating, and creates a more peaceful environment for winding down. Even better, you can then wake up to a clean, refreshing space, improving your morning mood.

'Simply set a timer for five minutes, put away any out-of-place items like clothes, books, or electronics, wipe down surfaces quickly and straighten up bedding.'

If you find starting your nightly tidy a challenge, embracing essential steps to avoiding procrastination will help such as task sharing, listening to music, or picking a video to watch by way of body doubling during a chore.

FAQs

How often should I clean a bedroom to keep it stress-free?

A quick daily tidy-up paired with weekly deep cleaning keeps your bedroom fresh and stress-free. Making the bed, folding clothes, and clearing surfaces daily prevent mess from piling up, while dusting, vacuuming, and changing sheets weekly ensure a clean environment. This routine maintains both cleanliness and calmness in your space.

Does clutter in the bedroom really affect sleep?

Yes, clutter can significantly affect sleep by creating visual clutter and mental distractions that make it harder to relax. A messy space may lead to feelings of anxiety or restlessness, preventing you from winding down at night. Keeping your bedroom organized can help create a more peaceful atmosphere that promotes restful sleep. Should you find decluttering a challenge, remember that working in smaller, manageable sections can prevent decluttering overwhelm. Our Decluttering Library is packed with our tried and testing methods for the task, and is broken down by how much time each needs, and which type of person it suits.

What's the easiest habit to start for a cleaner bedroom?

Making your bed every morning is one of the simplest yet most effective habits for a cleaner bedroom. It takes just a couple of minutes but immediately makes your space look tidier and more inviting. This small task can also set a positive tone for the rest of your day. Find more reasons to make your bed every day in our expert guide.

So there you have it – seven quick things people with clean bedrooms always do, plus the sleep and stress reduction benefits they bring. Incorporating these simple habits into your daily routine can create a peaceful space that promotes relaxation and restful sleep.

Whilst you're in the sorting mood, it's good to have an eye on the items never to store in a bedroom, and the small bedroom mistakes that are ruining your sleep space.