We Asked 3 Pro Cleaners What the Dirtiest Spot in the Bedroom Is, and They All Said the Same Place

A bedroom is often most people’s sanctuary, a space to provide respite from the chaos of everyday life. In that sanctuary, however, there are invisible (at least to the naked eye) germs and dirt that lurk in hidden spots and the most obvious areas. Even if you regularly clean your bedroom, one thing doesn’t get nearly enough attention and maintenance.

“Most people wouldn’t think about this, but the dirtiest spot in a bedroom can often be the mattress,” says Kathy Turley from Home Clean Heroes. “It’s a breeding ground for dust mites, bacteria, and dead skin cells. Over time, these can cause allergies, asthma, and other health problems.”

After reaching out to three professional cleaners about the dirtiest spot in the bedroom, they were all in agreement: The mattress may be the biggest culprit. Despite being the most comfortable and perhaps necessary part of a bedroom, many people forget to clean it properly and instead focus on washing the sheets or sweeping under the bed. Fortunately, these experts provided some useful tips on keeping your mattress clean so you can get a good night’s rest. 

Before cleaning your mattress, Turley says to remove all sheets, bed skirts, and mattress protectors. Next, move it off the wall for a thorough cleaning. “This will give you full access to areas not just around the bed, but will make it easier to clean the part of the mattress that is closest to the wall,” she says. Additionally, wash your bedding in hot water, dust your nightstands, and sweep and mop under the bed. 

Even if your mattress is completely stain-free, it can still retain strong odors and moisture from sweat. I’ve always used my mom’s baking soda and lavender trick to keep my mattress fresh, but there are a handful of ways to make sure your mattress is thoroughly clean. 

“Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water,” says Turley. “Dab the stain with a clean cloth and let it dry completely. You can also sprinkle baking soda all over your mattress and let it sit for up to 30 minutes to absorb odors and moisture before vacuuming it.”

If you have tougher stains to clean, Taylor Riley, cofounder of Impact Cleaning Professionals and founder of Boom. Facility Service Advisors, recommends specific cleaning tools that will penetrate beyond the top layer of the mattress. “Tools like the Bissell Little Green ProHeat are great for spot treating any stains,” he says. “As far as preventing dirt buildup, use a mattress protector and wash it regularly, and rotate your mattress every three to six months to help ensure even wear and reduce dirt accumulation in specific areas.”

For Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean, another neglected area of the bedroom that also contributes to a dirty or dusty mattress is the baseboards. 

“To keep your baseboards clean, regular dusting is crucial. You should dust your baseboards weekly, ideally using a microfiber cloth to prevent dirt from building up,” says Sokolowski. “To enhance your baseboard cleaning, you can use AspenClean all-purpose cleaner with the all-purpose microfiber cloth. For hard-to-reach areas, you can use a dry brush with stiff bristles first to dislodge the dust before wiping it away.”

Another notoriously dusty area is under the bed, which Turley recommends cleaning this area more frequently than you’d clean your mattress. “Even if your under-bed space area is used for storage boxes or out-of-season clothes containers, those can accumulate dust and dirt,” she says. “It’s a good idea to bring those containers out about once a month to dust and clean.”

According to Reid, it’s a good rule of thumb to clean your mattress twice a year (or more depending on certain factors such as living in a humid climate). “In the end, a little attention goes a long way in keeping your mattress clean and your sleep environment healthy,” he says. “Don’t let this essential part of your bedroom go unnoticed!”