Top 7 Things to Deep Clean in Your Bedroom This October

October is the perfect time for a bedroom deep clean. The shift into colder months means windows are closed more often, fabrics and surfaces trap more dust, and you naturally spend more time indoors. A bedroom should feel like a sanctuary, and a seasonal refresh helps it stay healthy, cosy, and welcoming all winter long. These are the areas I prioritise when deep cleaning bedrooms in my own home and for clients.

1. Fabrics and soft furnishings

Coming up to fall and winter, I always tell people this is the perfect time to tackle fabrics in the bedroom. Through the warmer months, especially if you’ve had windows open or have pets, you’ll have pollen, dust , and grime working their way deep into fibres. Every time you move, sit, or walk, those particles lift back into the air, and in the bedroom that really matters because you spend 7–8 hours breathing it all in while you sleep, especially if you have allergies, are sensitive, or simply care about having the best sleep possible (which I think is one of the best things we can do to improve our quality of life).

This is when I recommend washing curtains, cleaning carpets and rugs, and refreshing upholstery like mattresses, headboards, and any fabric chairs. At a professional level, we use powerful machines that inject inject and pull out water and cleaning solution to lift dirt and allergens out of fibres, which makes a huge difference to air quality. If that’s not accessible, you can hire or buy a household upholstery machine. Another alternative is to at the very least give everything a slow and thorough vacuum with the detail tools, if your vacuum came with those, or you can even remove the vacuum floor brush element and use the hose tube as a DIY detail tool that has more concentrated powerful suction. I always make sure to go around the edges of the room with precision attachments and get under the bed and furniture, because those areas collect dust most people never reach during standard cleaning. 

A simple but effective trick, if you’re vacuuming but want a deeper clean, is to sprinkle a little bicarbonate of soda first, leave it for 15 minutes, then vacuum it off. It neutralises odours and loosens dirt. After all the effort, it’s also worth considering an air purifier for the bedroom, which helps maintain cleaner air throughout winter when you’re less likely to open windows.

2. Wiping down doors, handles, and switches

When people think of high-touch areas to disinfect, they always mention door handles and light switches, but they forget the actual door. In homes I clean, I often find greasy yellow patches above the handle where people push doors shut with their hands instead of using the knob. Over time, the build-up is surprising. Add in scuff marks, dust along the top of the door frame, and even grime on the sides of doors, and it becomes clear why this is worth doing.

In fall and winter, when doors and windows are kept closed more often, dirt builds up faster and there’s less fresh airflow. Giving doors a proper wipe down now makes the whole room look brighter and fresher, and it helps prevent germs spreading during cold and flu season. I find warm soapy water and a microfibre cloth is usually enough for painted doors, but for stubborn greasy marks, a diluted degreaser works wonders.

3. Washing decorative throws and pillows

I cannot tell you how often I walk into bedrooms and see decorative pillows or throws that have clearly never been washed. It’s just not something people think about. They look lovely, but they pick up the same dust as bed linen, and then they end up sitting right on top of freshly washed sheets. Fall is the perfect time to give them a good refresh because you’ll be using these cosy extras more when the nights turn colder.

I recommend checking the care labels first, and if they’re not machine washable, either use a gentle upholstery cleaner or a handheld steamer to lift out odours and bacteria. A tip I like is to wash cushion covers inside out to protect the fabric, and to add them a laundry bag if they’re delicate. Once they’re clean and dry, the whole room feels more inviting, and it’s far more hygienic heading into winter.

4. Decluttering and rotating your wardrobe

Another job I make a priority at this time of year is going through the wardrobe. Fall is when I pack away my lighter summer clothes, wash and store them in breathable bags, and bring the thicker jumpers, coats and layers to the front. I see so many people make the mistake of packing clothes away without washing them first, but even if something looks clean, body oils and tiny traces of sweat are there. Those become food for moths, which love to thrive in dark storage.

By decluttering now, you also create better airflow in the wardrobe which helps reduce damp and that musty smell you sometimes get in winter. From my experience, people often put off this job because it feels overwhelming, so I recommend breaking it down into sections. I’ll do one rail or shelf at a time and keep a bag ready for donations or recycling. It makes the job far less stressful, and it’s genuinely satisfying seeing a neat, refreshed wardrobe ready for the colder months. 

5. Cleaning window sills and managing condensation

   
   

Windows are one of those overlooked areas that can make or break a bedroom’s air quality in winter. Sills and tracks gather grime, and as soon as the weather turns colder you get condensation. Left unchecked, that moisture becomes mould, which can damage the window frames and spread spores into the air you breathe.

I recommend wiping down all sills, tracks and frames with an antibacterial cleaner and making sure they’re completely dry. If you happen to have a steam cleaner, this is where the precision tool will shine in removing grime. If you already see mould starting, use a mould remover (and do not use breach, as mould feeds on bleach, even if it looks like it went away… it hasn’t), but also look at the cause, which is usually condensation. If you get a lot of condensation, consider keeping a microfibre cloth near the bedroom window and give the glass and sill a quick wipe when you notice it. It takes seconds and saves major repairs or calling a mould technician later. 

6. Bedside tables and hidden clutter

One of the sneakiest sources of bedroom mess is the bedside table. Over time, they collect old receipts, empty water glasses, crumbs, or half-finished books. Drawers tend to be even worse, with random bits shoved in and forgotten.

This October, empty them fully, wipe them down, and only put back what you actually use. Add a small dish for jewellery or hair ties if needed, and maybe a coaster to protect the surface. It’s a quick job but makes the whole bedroom feel calmer.

7. Ceiling corners and light fixtures

Dust and cobwebs quietly build up in ceiling corners and on light fixtures, especially during months when windows are open. By October, these areas usually need attention. A long-handled duster or the brush attachment of a vacuum will do the job.

Light fixtures and lampshades also benefit from a wipe-down or a gentle vacuum with a low suction setting. Once cleaned, lighting feels brighter and warmer, which makes a big difference on shorter, darker evenings.

Final Thoughts

Deep cleaning your bedroom in October sets you up for a healthier, cosier winter. Tackling fabrics, windows, and clutter now means you’ll breathe cleaner air, enjoy a calmer space, and avoid bigger cleaning headaches later. Pick one or two of these areas each week if the full list feels overwhelming. By the time the clocks go back, you’ll have a freshened-up bedroom that feels like the perfect retreat from the cold.