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How to Clean an Ottoman Bed

How to Clean an Ottoman Bed

Ottoman beds are a popular storage bed choice in the UK. They provide plenty of space inside the bed frame to store bedding, clothes, luggage, and much more! No wonder they're one of our most popular bed styles and a must-have for anyone looking to increase their storage space.

As you might expect, ottoman beds are a staple for anyone looking to tidy their bedroom. However, people may not consider how to keep an ottoman bed clean. We're not just talking about giving the outside a quick swipe with a cleaning cloth but also ensuring you get all the inside and underneath clean, too!

Thankfully, we've put together some helpful tips on how to clean an ottoman bed that will help you create a hygienic bedroom.

How to clean under an ottoman bed

Given that the main feature of an ottoman bed is its expansive storage inside the frame, it's often much lower to the ground than other beds. This is because it needs to offer space for storage, so it will usually lie flat on the ground or as low as possible.

As advantageous as this can be in terms of storage, it does make them a little harder to clean. After all, if a bed is almost to the ground anyway, how can you clean underneath it? This also means it will be more likely to be filled with dust and any other detritus that might have ended up underneath your bed.

We'd recommend moving your bed frame to access the space underneath and clean it well if possible. If you can't lift the bed out of the way or don't have enough space to move the frame in your bedroom, then you could use a vacuum attachment to reach the small and narrow places. Some ottoman beds also don't have a base – your floor is the base. As you might expect, cleaning this is pretty easy, as all you need to do is take everything out and vacuum the floor!

If there is no space between the base of your ottoman bed and the floor, you might get away with not cleaning it. If there's no space between the base and the floor, there's no space for dirt, either!

How often should I clean under my bed?

We recommend that you clean underneath your bed at least once a month. This will reduce the risk of dust build-up and help keep your bedroom clean and hygienic.

How to clean inside an ottoman bed

The first thing you'll need to do when cleaning the inside of your ottoman bed is remove all the items within it. Once empty, use a damp cloth to wipe around the edges of the bed and the floor (if it has one). A non-abrasive solution can help give it a nice clean and dislodge any stubborn dust caught in the corners.

After this, you only need to vacuum it before putting your items back inside! A tip to help keep your ottoman bed clean is to give the items you're going to store a clean over as well; this will reduce the amount of dust or dirt that might make its way into your bed storage.

How often should I clean inside my ottoman bed?

You should ideally clean the inside of your ottoman bed a few times a year - we recommend at least once every three months. Given that it remains closed most of the time, it is less likely to need cleaning than the outside, but this also depends on how often you open the ottoman bed for access. If you frequently open and close it, it's more likely to attract dust and dirt and need more cleaning.

It also depends on what kind of base you have! Some ottoman beds have a boarded base (we're talking about the base the mattress lies on here, not the actual bottom of the bed!), which means there's little chance for anything to get into the storage space. Other ottoman beds have a sprung slatted base, which means there's a chance dust and other dirt can slip through the slats as your mattress moves whilst you sleep.

How to keep the inside of your ottoman bed clean

An easy way to reduce the time you spend cleaning the inside of your ottoman bed is to find ways to reduce the need to clean. One way to do this is to store the items inside your ottoman bed frame inside vacuum-sealed bags or airtight boxes. Not only does this keep the items themselves clean, but it also means that you can do a quick clean by just taking them out and wiping them!

For more tips on getting the most out of your ottoman bed, check out our how to organise an ottoman bed guide!

How to clean an ottoman bed frame

Thankfully, cleaning the outside of your ottoman bed is much easier than cleaning the inside! How you'll clean your bed will depend on whether it's made from wood or fabric, as both require different cleaning methods.

Wooden ottoman beds should be cleaned with a wood-friendly polish that will shine the bed and offer protection. Double-check that your cleaning product is suitable for wood, which could cause damage. Giving it a good polish and buff will help maintain its quality and ensure your bed always looks its best! Explore our wooden bed care guide for more tips to keep your bed clean.

Fabric beds can be harder to clean, as you'll need to ensure that nothing you use will leave a stain behind. Use lukewarm water and a white cloth to prevent colour transfer and reduce the risk of damaging the fabric. Anything solutions you use on your fabric ottoman bed should be designed explicitly for fabric use, as anything not designed for this could cause damage, which might be irreparable. Stain removers designed for fabrics can be a great way to eliminate any stubborn stains quickly! Our fabric bed care guide has plenty of tips to ensure your fabric ottoman bed looks beautiful and lasts longer.

Ottoman Storage Beds