Your Summer Bedroom Deep Clean, Sorted

Summertime: glorious blue skies, sun-kissed weekends, and... seasonal snuffles?

If your nose is twitching, your sheets feel stale, or your sleep's gone sideways, you’re not alone. This season brings a unique cocktail of allergens, heat, and grime that can turn your once-cosy retreat into a sneeze-fest (we’d much rather have you enjoying a snooze-fest).

But don’t worry—we’ve got you. Below is our Cosy-approved, step-by-step deep-clean guide to refreshing your bedroom for the summer months, with quick life hacks, smart upgrades, and no harsh chemicals required.

The Hidden Side of Summer: Why Your Bedroom Needs a Refresh

UK summers might be short and sweet, but they bring more than just sunshine. As temperatures climb and windows fling open to welcome in that crisp fresh air, your room can become a magnet for pollen, dust, and microscopic irritants you’d rather not be snoozing with.

And with humidity in the mix, moisture builds up in your bedding and mattress, creating a perfect environment for odours and—you guessed it—dust mites, which thrive in warm, damp conditions. In fact, research has shown that dust mite populations explode in summer due to the combo of heat and humidity! [1,2,7]

Unwashed pillows and bedding can double in weight over time from sweat, skin cells, and allergens. Gross, right? Yet most people only deep-clean their bedrooms once or twice a year, if that. Here’s the impact you could be dealing with:

• Poorer sleep quality. Research confirms that allergens can lead to increased congestion, sneezing, and disrupted rest. [3,4]

• Irritated skin and eyes. Humid environments combined with sweat-soaked linens may irritate the skin and agitate sensitivities. [5]

• Worsening seasonal allergies. Pollen and pet dander settle easily into fibres without proper cleaning and protection. [6,7]

5 Quick Cleaning Tips for a Fresher, Healthier Sleep Space

The takeaway? It’s time to get cleaning! Don’t sleep with the enemy this summer—purge your room of icky grime and nasties that love humidity, moisture, and bedding that isn’t cleaned or protected properly. Here’s how: 

1. Strip the Bed & Check the Label

Let’s start with the obvious: strip everything off your bed—duvet covers, sheets, pillowcases, mattress protectors, the works. But before you crank up the washing machine to high heat mode, read those care labels first. Many of your moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating fabrics (like bamboo viscose) are designed to stay luxuriously soft when washed cold.

If your linens allow it, a hot wash (60°C or higher) may help tackle buildup and sweat residue. But even in a cold cycle, you can get a deep clean by using a gentle, high-quality detergent and opting for an extra rinse.

Pro tip: Always dry thoroughly (preferably in the sun if you can) and avoid leaving clean items sitting damp in the machine—moisture is mildew’s best mate.

2. Deep-Clean Your Mattress the Right Way

Your mattress is the biggest surface in your bedroom—and the most ignored. It’s also one of your biggest investments, so it’s better to stay clean and fresh so it lasts you for the long haul.

• Vacuum thoroughly, using a brush attachment to loosen debris.

• Sprinkle baking soda, let it sit for 30–60 minutes to absorb odours, then vacuum again.

• If possible, drag it into the sun for a summertime UV refresh.

• Rotate or flip your mattress to prevent uneven wear and moisture buildup.

3. Don’t Sleep on Pillow Hygiene

Your head rests on them every night—so why are your pillows getting neglected? Strip your pillows down completely, pillowcases and all. 

• Wash washable pillows every 3–6 months. Use an extra rinse cycle to ensure all detergent is gone.

• For memory foam or non-washable types, vacuum with an upholstery attachment, then air out in full sun for a few hours to help kill off bacteria and refresh.

• Always dry completely—damp bedding can be a breeding ground for mould and mildew.

4. Attack the Dust Zones You’re Ignoring

Summer heat stirs up fine particles—and they love to settle in corners you rarely touch.

• Wipe down baseboards, windowsills, light switches, and behind furniture with a damp microfiber cloth to trap dust (not just move it around).

• Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum to trap allergens from floors, rugs, and upholstery.

• Got a fan or air purifier? Swap out the filters now—they're probably loaded with spring pollen and early summer gunk.

5. Refresh the Air & Eliminate Dampness

Bedroom air quality takes a dive in the summer from high humidity, stale smells, and airborne irritants. Prevent all the ickiness in the first place!

• Open windows early morning or late evening when the air is cooler. Don’t leave them open all day for pollen and other pests to creep inside!

• Use a dehumidifier or silica packets in problem corners to absorb excess moisture.

• Add a bowl of bicarbonate of soda or activated charcoal near your bed to help neutralise odours naturally.

• Wash or replace curtains, especially if they're thick or near open windows—they collect a surprising amount of dust and outdoor grime.

Your Cosy House Summer Kit: What You’ll Want On Hand

1. Bamboo Mattress Protector

Made from an ultra-soft blend of bamboo viscose and polyester, this breathable barrier helps wick away moisture and protect against spills, odours, and common non-living allergens—all while staying whisper-quiet and wrinkle-resistant. It’s fully waterproof and fits mattresses up to 45.72 cm, making it the ultimate shield for cleaner, fresher summer sleep.

2. Clearance: Bamboo Zippered Mattress Encasement (NOW UP TO 79% OFF!)

Need next-level protection? This zippered encasement wraps your entire mattress in a soft, stretchable layer that blocks moisture, stains, and irritants. Naturally breathable and designed to stay put all night, it’s ideal for homes with pets, kids, or sensitive skin—and it’s machine-washable for easy upkeep.

3. Bamboo Waterproof Zippered Pillow Protector

These silky-soft zippered covers slip over your pillows for an invisible layer of defence against moisture, dust, and everyday buildup. Hypoallergenic and breathable, they help extend the life of your pillows while keeping airflow high and irritants low, so you can breathe easier all night long.

4. 100% Bamboo Sheet Set

Wrap yourself in cool, resort-grade softness with these breathable bamboo sheets! Naturally hypoallergenic and moisture-wicking, they’re perfect for summer nights, sensitive skin, or anyone prone to night sweats. With deep pockets, elastic corner straps, and a luxe finish, they stay smooth, secure, and dreamy wash after wash—AND they come in 8 serene shades to suit your personal oasis.

5. All Natural Wool Dryer Balls

Ditch the single-use fabric softeners—these hand-felted wool balls imported from New Zealand naturally soften clothes, reduce drying time, and fight static for up to 1,000 loads. Chemical-free, unscented, and totally biodegradable, they’re a planet-friendly laundry upgrade that your bedding (and skin) will thank you for.

Want to Keep Your Summer Sleep Space Fresh?

Don’t miss your chance to refresh your bedroom for the sunny season ahead. Shop our favourite summer-ready upgrades now and enjoy a fresher, more breathable sleep space in no time.

We've gone ahead & enclosed a 10% off coupon below for you to use if you'd like to take the plunge and try out our bedding for yourself! To shop our collection & get 10% OFF, use the code 'BLOG10' at checkout.

Resources: 

1. Larry G. Arlian, Jacqueline S. Neal, DiAnn L. Vyszenski-Moher, Reducing relative humidity to control the house dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Volume 104, Issue 4, 1999, Pages 852-856, ISSN 0091-6749, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0091-6749(99)70298-8. 

2. Guarnieri G, Olivieri B, Senna G, Vianello A. Relative Humidity and Its Impact on the Immune System and Infections. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 May 29;24(11):9456. doi: 10.3390/ijms24119456. PMID: 37298409; PMCID: PMC10253274. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10253274/ 

3. Leger D, Bonnefoy B, Pigearias B, de La Giclais B, Chartier A. Poor sleep is highly associated with house dust mite allergic rhinitis in adults and children. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2017 Aug 16;13:36. doi: 10.1186/s13223-017-0208-7. PMID: 28814959; PMCID: PMC5558653. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5558653/ 

4. Liu J, Zhang X, Zhao Y, Wang Y. The association between allergic rhinitis and sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. PLoS One. 2020 Feb 13;15(2):e0228533. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228533. PMID: 32053609; PMCID: PMC7018032. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32053609/ 

5. Regina Boyle Wheeler, Poonam Sachdev. Health Hazards When You Don’t Wash Your Sheets. August 28, 2023. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-dirty-sheets-skin-problems 

6. The Cat, Immunology and Microbiology. Dander. Dermatology. 2012. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/dander#chapters-articles

7. Schmidt CW. Pollen Overload: Seasonal Allergies in a Changing Climate. Environ Health Perspect. 2016 Apr;124(4):A70-5. doi: 10.1289/ehp.124-A70. PMID: 27035881; PMCID: PMC4829390. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4829390/