I grew up in a Dutch household where cleaning wasn’t just a chore, it was a skill, practiced with pride and rooted in the belief that a well-kept, simple, and organized home creates a calmer life. Every fall, as the days grew shorter, I’d help my family with a seasonal deep clean to prepare for the cozy hibernation months ahead. It’s a tradition I still carry with me today, and these are the 8 steps I swear by to reset the bedroom before winter.
8 Key Bedroom Deep Cleaning Tips Before Fall/Winter
1. Wash Every Bedding Layer
Go beyond the sheets: wash duvet covers, comforters (if machine-safe), mattress pads, and pillow protectors. These collect dust, sweat, and allergens all summer and need a reset for the colder months. Cotton is generally safe to wash in warmer water, but because of its natural properties, the fibers may shrink slightly, be mindful of this with heirloom quilts or delicate bedspreads.
If your bedding is starting to yellow, it’s often from a mix of body oils, sweat, skin cells, detergent residue, and natural oxidation that are yellowing the cotton fibers that make up your sheets. To prevent this, wash bedding regularly (which you are probably already doing). For a brighter boost, try an oxygen-based whitener (like OxiClean) instead of chlorine bleach, which can weaken fibers. If that doesn’t revive them, it might be time to treat yourself to fresh bedding that’s easier to wash (see my best cleaning tip below).
2. Air Out & Replace Pillows
Pillows collect allergens and moisture. Air them outside on a dry day, wash if possible, and replace every 1–2 years for better hygiene and support.
3. Dust Hard-to-Reach Surfaces
Ceiling fans, light fixtures, baseboards, behind furniture, and window sills trap dust that impacts air quality once the house is sealed for winter. Pro Tip: Always work from the top down so ceiling fan dust doesn’t land on a freshly vacuumed mattress.
4. Refresh Curtains & Rugs
Curtains and rugs harbor dust and allergens. Launder or steam curtains, and deep clean rugs to instantly freshen the whole room. If you can't wash your curtains, give them a really good shake outside to get most of the surface dust off them.
5. Vacuum & Rotate the Mattress
Use an upholstery attachment with a brush head to remove dust mites and debris. Pay extra attention to edges and trim, where buildup hides. Rotate or flip the mattress to even out wear and extend its life if possible.
6. Wash Windows Inside and Out
Once colder months hit, you’ll spend more time indoors, and clean windows make a noticeable difference. Start with warm water, a little dish soap and vinegar for heavy grime (wear gloves to avoid lingering vinegar scent). Then finish with window cleaner and a clean dry cloth or paper towel for a streak-free shine. Pro Tip: Save window cleaning for last so you don’t dust onto your nice clean windows.
7. Wipe Down High-Touch Surfaces
Light switches, drawer pulls, remotes, and door handles are germ hotspots. A quick disinfecting wipe goes a long way in keeping the space healthy.
8. Declutter and Deep Clean the Bedside Table
This spot often becomes a catch-all when tidying up before last-minute guests. Declutter, wipe down surfaces, and line drawers with removable drawer liners (some come with a fresh scent) to make next year’s clean faster and easier.
My Best Cleaning Tip for Bedding
For most people, the hardest and most dreaded part of deep cleaning the bedroom is changing and washing bedding, lifting heavy mattresses, stuffing duvet covers, and re-tucking corners. That’s exactly why I created Truuce Bedding, a patented system that zips the fitted sheet, flat sheet, and duvet cover into one seamless design. Because each layer zips apart, you can wash only what’s needed and reassemble the bed in minutes. No wrestling, no lifting, no frustration. Oh, and did I tell you we solved the top sheet debate for good!
Truuce is designed to work for everyone whether it’s busy moms who are looking to save some time every day, guys who rarely think about washing their sheets (this is amazing bedding for guys!), grandmothers who struggle with heavy mattress lifting, or simply anyone who wants super cozy bedding and an easier, calmer morning routine. And with the holidays coming up, it's the perfect gift that keeps giving long after the holidays.
Those early lessons from my Dutch upbringing taught me that a clean, organized space isn’t about perfection — it’s about creating room for peace, comfort, and the little joys of daily life. By carrying out this fall routine year after year, I’ve found that the bedroom becomes more than just a place to sleep — it’s a sanctuary for rest and renewal. And with thoughtful tools like Truuce Bedding, keeping that space fresh, cozy, and easy to maintain has never been simpler.