How to Clean Underneath a Low Bed

Co-authored by Guy Peters

Last Updated: September 20, 2024 References

The space underneath your bed can easily be forgotten when you’re doing your regular bedroom cleaning, but it’s an area that collects a lot of dust (as well as spare socks and other lost items). Use a vacuum attachment or flat-head mop to clean under the bed once or twice a month to prevent dirt from accumulating. If you don't have those tools, make a simple homemade duster by fastening a clean sock to a yardstick with a rubber band. Because you’re dealing with a low bed, you may have to get onto the floor to reach underneath it, but it’ll be worth it to get to sleep in a tidy and clean space!

The Best Way to Clean Under a Low Bed

To vacuum under the bed, use an upholstery attachment, swivel-head attachment, or the long, narrow crevice tool. If you have hardwood floors, use a flat-head mop instead. You can also make a homemade duster by fastening a clean sock to a yardstick with a rubber band.

For popular FAQs on cleaning under a low bed, jump to more common questions.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Tackling Dust and Dirt

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1
Remove items from underneath your bed so you can access the floor. Pull out any boxes, loose articles of clothing, shoes, toys, and any other items that may have intentionally or unintentionally ended up underneath your bed. Put things away where they need to go, or set them to the side so you can store them under the bed again after that space has been cleaned. You may be surprised at what you find under there!^{[1]
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- Because you’re working with a low bed, you’ll most likely need to get on the ground to reach underneath it. If you’re having a hard time grabbing items, try using a yardstick or the end of a broom to push items out.
- Items under your bed can also get covered with dust and dirt, so make sure to wipe down the tops of boxes and wash any clothes or linens you find underneath there.
Tip: If you’re tired of sleeping in a low-to-the-ground bed, consider installing bed risers. They go underneath each leg of your bed and lift it several inches to give you more space.^{[2]
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Get rid of sneeze-causing dust bunnies with a yardstick and a sock. Because your bed is low, it may be impossible to reach underneath with a rag to dust and clean up. Take a yardstick and put a clean sock on the end, fastening it in place with a rubber band. Then, get down on the ground and use your homemade duster to dust under your bed.
- You could also spray the sock with a little bit of a cleaning solution to help the dust stick to it more easily.
- Cleaning up dust in your bedroom can actually help make your room smell better and could help you manage any allergies you might have.^{[3]
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- Feel free to use this trick to dust other hard-to-reach spaces.
- Another option is to attach a microfiber cloth to the end of a broomstick, as the material will help collecting the dust bunnies.^{[4]
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  Guy Peters
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 27 September 2021.}
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Clean up dirt and spills on a hardwood floor with a damp flat-head mop. A mop with a flat head will allow you to push it underneath a low bed without knocking against the bed frame. You can just use water, though for tougher stains and spills you may want to use a cleaning product. You’ll likely need to lay down on the ground so you can maneuver the mop and get it completely flat to reach all the way under the bed.^{[5]
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- Make sure the mop has been wrung out so it’s not dripping wet.
- You can make your own simple floor cleaner with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of warm water and ¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) of dish soap.^{[6]
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Clean carpeted floors with your vacuum attachments.^{[7]
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Guy Peters
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 27 September 2021.} Now is the time to make use of those attachments that came with your vacuum! Connect an extension rod to the vacuum hose to reach under the bed with something like an upholstery cleaner attachment or a swivel-head attachment. The long, narrow crevice tool can be really helpful to clean along baseboards or in a hard to reach corner, too.
- Remember, even if you can’t get all the way under your bed, doing a little is still better than nothing!
- Most big vacuum cleaners won’t be able to fit under your bed. However, if you have one that can lay completely flat on the ground, you may be able to use that to clean out that space.
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Move your bed to clean underneath it if it’s too low to the ground. Depending on the size of your room or how heavy your bed is, this may not be an option. But, if you can push your bed to the side, you’ll be able to access the space underneath it to give it a good cleaning. You may even be inspired to do a little rearranging and give your space a cool makeover.
- If you have hardwood floors, be careful to not scratch them. You may want to install furniture pads on the bottom of each leg of the bed so that they don’t mark up the floors.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Battling Clutter

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Make your bed before you begin to create a flat surface to set things on. Getting things neat and tidy can be very daunting, especially if that area under your bed is filled with lots go different items. Since you’ll be pulling things out and going through them, it’ll make things much easier if you aren’t also dealing with the physical and visual clutter of an unmade bed.^{[9]
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- If the things under your bed are dusty, you may want to lay a towel or blanket down on your bed, too, to keep it from getting dirty during your organizational project.
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Put miscellaneous items back where they belong. For example, the spare sheets for your guest room or a box of dog treats will be better off in their own designated space. This can help clear up space underneath your bed and make it visually less cluttered, plus it’ll be easier to find things when you need them.^{[10]
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- Clothes, shoes, accessories, blankets, and pillows are all possible things to keep to store under your bed.
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Store seasonal clothing or rarely-used items under the bed. Off-season clothing, coats, purses, shoes, belts, ties, and other pieces of clothing that you don’t want to keep in a closet or dresser can find a home under your bed, freeing up valuable real estate in your closet or dresser. Try to organize things by type so that you can easily find what you need when you want it.^{[11]
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- If your bed is just 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) off the ground, you may not be able to use it for storage space. In that case, just focus on keeping it clear of dust and dirt when you clean your bedroom.
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Keep your belongings in shallow containers under the bed. Take your organized-by-type items and put them into shallow plastic or cardboard containers. Try to use ones that have lids to keep the things inside from getting dusty. Label each container so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. You could use colored tape or washi tape to make cute, easy-to-see labels.^{[12]
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- Containers with wheels may work particularly well and would be easier to get out and put away.
- You could also repurpose shallow drawers from an old dresser into under-bed storage that will look neat and tidy.^{[13]
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Common Questions: Tips for Cleaning Under a Bed

How often should you clean under the bed?

Clean underneath your bed at least once a month for a neat and healthy bedroom environment. If you're struggling to get underneath to do a thorough cleaning, consider using risers to elevate your bed off the floor a few inches.^{[14]
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How do you stop dust from collecting under a bed?

Add a bed skirt to protect the area underneath from dust accumulation. Using risers to elevate your bed off the floor can create additional space underneath, which reduces dust accumulation. Risers also make it easier for you to access the area for a thorough monthly cleaning.^{[15]
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Why does so much dust accumulate under my bed?"

Dust is made of dead skin cells, dust mite droppings, and pet dander, so anywhere there's humans or pets, dust will accumulate. The more time you (or your pet) spend in your bedroom, the dustier the environment will become over time—including underneath the bed.^{[16]
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American Lung Association
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Tips

Consider installing a bed skirt to help hide the space under your bed, especially if you’re using it for storage and don’t like the way the boxes or containers look.^{[17]
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