How to Clean a Mattress and Remove Stains
Vacuum, deodorise and spot-clean a mattress without soaking it: what to use on blood, urine and sweat stains, and how to dry it so no damp stays inside.
Read the guideCleaning 101.
A little know-how. More room for life.
Bedroom & living
Bedroom and living room guides
The rooms you live and sleep in are mostly fabric, dust and things, so these guides start with the bed and the soft furnishings, then the appliances and the occasions that leave a mess. Decluttering and styling sit at the end: they make a room easier to keep clean rather than cleaning it.
51 guides · Edited by Huy Hoang · Updated
FIND YOUR PROBLEM
Find the problem
Start from what you can see. Each row points to the guide that deals with it.
| What you’re seeing | The guide for it |
|---|---|
| Stains or a smell on the mattress | How to Clean a Mattress and Remove Stains |
| Pillows gone flat, yellow or smelly | How to Wash Pillows by Filling, Step by Step |
| The air conditioner smells when it starts | How to Clean a Split System Air Conditioner |
| A grubby laptop keyboard or smudged screen | How to Clean Your Laptop Safely |
| The house after a party | How to Clean Up After a Party Without Wearing Yourself Out |
| A guest arriving this week | How to Prepare a Guest Room |
| A leather couch that looks dry or grubby | How to Clean a Leather Couch and Condition It |
| A musty smell or spots in the wardrobe | How to Get Rid of Mould in Your House |
START HERE
Where to start.
- How to Clean a Mattress and Remove StainsThe dry-first method for stains and smells, and how often to do it.
- How to Clean a Leather Couch and Condition ItClean and condition leather without stripping it, by finish.
- How to Declutter Your Home, One Small Space at a TimeA small-area method that sticks, before any of the cleaning.
The home organising series8 guides, in order
- Home organising: less clutter, easier daysStart here
- Six steps to an organised home
- How to declutter your wardrobe and make getting dressed easier
- Home paperwork and craft storage that stays usable
- Home organisation routines for everyday life
- Why clutter keeps coming back
- Donate, sell or recycle household items in Australia
- Professional organiser or cleaner: which help does your home need?
The furnishings and homewares care series7 guides, in order
- A Beautiful, Easy-to-Maintain Home: Styling, Organisation & CareStart here
- How to Choose Furnishings You Can Look After: An Easy-Care Checklist
- Timber furniture care: finishes, dusting and moisture
- Woven rug care: fibres, fringe and everyday upkeep
- Embroidered cushions and vintage textile care
- Decorative homewares: dusting, display and careful handling
- Bone inlay furniture care: start with the finish
The mattresses and bedding series3 guides, in order
The desk and home office cleaning series8 guides, in order
Mattress and bedding
Mattresses and pillows, and whether a professional mattress clean is worth it.
How to Wash Pillows by Filling, Step by Step
Which pillows can go in the washing machine, the cycle and temperature for fibre and down, cover-only care for foam and latex, and how to dry them through.
Read the guide
Is Professional Mattress Cleaning Worth It?
Usually not for routine care. How often to clean a mattress, when a DIY clean is enough, when a specialist is worth paying for, and when to replace it.
Read the guideRooms, appliances and occasions
The split system, the laptop, a guest room, the morning after a party, and the attic.
More room for life.How to Clean a Leather Couch and Condition It
Dust weekly with a dry, soft cloth; every 2–4 months use a leather cleaner seam to seam, then conditioner. Water-drop test first; skip baby wipes and vinegar.
Read the guide
How to Clean Your Laptop Safely
Screens, keyboards and vents each need a different approach. What is safe on a coated display, and the cleaner that will strip it.
Read the guide
How to Clean and Organise Your Attic in 9 Simple Steps
Attic full of dust and forgotten boxes? Our 9-step guide covers safety gear, mould checks, and smart storage tips to help you reclaim your space with confidence.
Read the guideDesk and home office
The desk first, then the keyboard, screen, mouse pad, chair, whiteboard and headphones around it.
More room for life.How to Clean Your Desk and Keep It Organised
Clear it, dust with a damp cloth, then wipe the top the way its surface needs. Laminate, timber, glass and standing desks, tech, cables and organising.
Read the guideMore room for life.How to Clean a Keyboard
Unplug it, tip out the crumbs, blow between the keys and wipe with a barely damp cloth. Plus washing mechanical keycaps, sticky keys and spills.
Read the guideMore room for life.How to Clean a Computer Screen
Dust it dry, then wipe with a microfibre cloth barely damp with distilled water. What each monitor brand allows, and the cleaners that strip a coating.
Read the guideMore room for life.How to Clean a Mouse Pad (and Your Mouse)
Hand-wash a cloth mouse pad in warm water with a little dish soap, rinse and air-dry it flat for 24 hours. Plus RGB, glass and desk mats, and the mouse.
Read the guideMore room for life.How to Clean an Office Chair
Vacuum, then check the cleaning code: soapy foam on W fabric and mesh, a solvent on S, vacuum only on X. Leather, PU, armrests, castors and smells too.
Read the guideMore room for life.How to Clean a Whiteboard
Erase, spray with whiteboard cleaner, then dry with a second cloth. How to shift ghosting and permanent marker, clean glass boards, and what ruins a board.
Read the guideMore room for life.How to Clean Headphones and Earbuds
Brush the mesh dry, wipe with a barely damp cloth and rinse silicone tips in plain water. Apple's AirPods steps, foam tips, ear cushions and what to avoid.
Read the guideDecluttering and styling
Reading for when the problem is too much stuff rather than dirt.
How to Declutter Your Home, One Small Space at a Time
A practical guide to decluttering one small space at a time, with room-by-room ideas, responsible donation and disposal, and realistic research on wellbeing.
Read the guide
Bedroom Styling Tips That Make the Room Feel Calmer
Small changes that make a bedroom feel restful rather than busy — layering, lighting, surfaces kept clear, and what to take out of the room entirely.
Read the guideDeclutter and organise
Make space for everyday life and choose care that suits your belongings.
More room for life.Professional organiser or cleaner: which help does your home need?
Work out whether you need help sorting belongings, organising storage or cleaning surfaces, with practical questions to ask before booking.
Read the guideMore room for life.How to declutter your wardrobe and make getting dressed easier
Sort clothes one small section at a time, make considered decisions about expensive items and plan repairs, donations and storage that works for you.
Read the guideMore room for life.Six steps to an organised home
A practical six-step home organising plan: choose one goal, sort a small area, arrange storage, manage paperwork, move things on and build a reset routine.
Read the guideMore room for life.Home organisation routines for everyday life
Simple routines for household paperwork, storage and daily resets, with historical references for visitors following The Coat Box links.
Read the guideMore room for life.Practical ways to organise your home with pegs
Practical ways to use spare pegs for earbuds, paperwork, pantry packets and laundry, with a simple cable-storage example and sensible alternatives.
Read the guideMore room for life.What minimalism means at home
Find your own approach to minimalism, make room for what matters and reduce the daily work of looking after your home.
Read the guideMore room for life.Why clutter keeps coming back
Identify the habits, storage problems and unfinished decisions behind recurring clutter, then choose one manageable change.
Read the guideMore room for life.Home organising: less clutter, easier days
A practical home organising guide: declutter one space at a time, organise drawers and paperwork, plan a move, and build everyday systems that are easy to keep.
Read the guideStyle rooms around everyday life
Make space for everyday life and choose care that suits your belongings.
More room for life.A Beautiful, Easy-to-Maintain Home: Styling, Organisation & Care
Plan a home that looks good and works for everyday life, with practical room layouts, storage, furnishing choices and care routines for busy households.
Read the guideMore room for life.How to Choose Furnishings You Can Look After: An Easy-Care Checklist
Compare sofas, rugs, curtains and timber furniture by their care instructions, cleaning access and upkeep before choosing what works for your home.
Read the guideMore room for life.Property styling or furniture hire: a seller's preparation guide
Compare styling and furniture-hire scopes, questions for quotes and the order of cleaning, installation and photography before selling your home.
Read the guideMore room for life.Kids' room design and storage: space to sleep, play and grow
Plan a child's bedroom with practical storage, pastel colour, book displays and simple furniture projects. Make space for sleep, play and everyday routines.
Read the guideMore room for life.Pastel kids' bedroom ideas, with a geometric dresser project
Plan a pastel child's bedroom with a geometric dresser project, practical toy storage, a reading corner and decal walls. Original layouts and step-by-step ideas.
Read the guideMore room for life.Shared kids' bedroom ideas for a small room
Plan a small shared bedroom with separate storage, a reading nook and a calm colour palette. Compare bed layouts and make everyday routines easier.
Read the guideMore room for life.Wall decal layout, application and care
Plan an evenly spaced wall-decal pattern with a simple template. Check paint compatibility, apply carefully and care for or remove decals using supplier guidance.
Read the guideMore room for life.How to style a dresser without clutter
Style a dresser with two practical layouts, useful storage and a simple reset that keeps the surface attractive and easy to dust.
Read the guideHomewares and material care
Make space for everyday life and choose care that suits your belongings.
More room for life.Kova Lifestyle: homewares history and care
Looking for the former Kova Lifestyle store? Find its historical context and practical care guidance for linen, quilts, ceramics and delicate furnishings.
Read the guideMore room for life.Ruby Star Traders: furnishings and care
Find context for older Ruby Star Traders product references and care routes for inlaid furniture, embroidered cushions and vintage upholstery.
Read the guideMore room for life.Bone inlay furniture care: start with the finish
A cautious care checklist for bone inlay and decorative furniture, including material checks, dusting, spills and when to ask a specialist.
Read the guideMore room for life.Embroidered cushions and vintage textile care
Check labels, stitching, inserts and condition before cleaning decorative cushions or vintage upholstery, with clear boundaries for specialist care.
Read the guideMore room for life.Langdon homewares: rugs, cushions and care
Find your way from the former Langdon homewares shop to practical guides for woven rugs, decorative cushions and jute doormats.
Read the guideMore room for life.Market Import: homewares references and care
Following an older Market Import link? Explore the former homewares range, identify pieces and find practical guides for glassware, ceramics and textiles.
Read the guideMore room for life.Woven basket care and practical storage
Identify basket materials and fragile details, plan gentle upkeep and choose storage uses that keep woven baskets accessible, dry and easy to maintain.
Read the guideMore room for life.Decorative homewares: dusting, display and careful handling
Make decorative objects easier to look after with a material checklist, a stable display plan and practical care decisions for mirrors, vases and ornaments.
Read the guideSimple living and useful routines
Make space for everyday life and choose care that suits your belongings.
More room for life.LifeExcursion: simple living and more room for life
Following a LifeExcursion link? Find the publication history and practical guides to fewer possessions, thoughtful giving, packing light and flexible goals.
Read the guideMore room for life.Less stuff, more room for life
Use a practical space-and-time worksheet to decide what belongs in your home, reduce unwanted possessions and make more room for activities you value.
Read the guideMore room for life.Give without buying more: time, help and useful things
Offer thoughtful help without adding unwanted possessions. Use practical examples, clear boundaries and a simple plan for giving time or sharing useful items.
Read the guideMore room for life.Pack light for a trip: a practical packing worksheet
Plan a lighter travel bag around activities, outfit combinations and laundry access, with a reusable checklist and a simple unpacking routine for home.
Read the guideMore room for life.Goals and flexible routines: choose what helps
Compare a specific goal with a flexible routine, choose one useful priority and use a monthly review worksheet to adjust your plans as life changes.
Read the guideFurniture, storage and display
Make space for everyday life and choose care that suits your belongings.
More room for life.The REAL Store: homewares references and care
Find context for the former REAL Store and practical routes to tableware, woven textiles, ceramics and furniture care.
Read the guideMore room for life.Paterson + Steele: homewares references and care
Identify former Paterson + Steele homewares and find practical guides for planters, canvas storage, wool blankets, textiles and wall art.
Read the guideMore room for life.Planter care and protecting the surface beneath it
Separate ceramic pots, timber vessels, inserts and drainage so you can maintain a planter without damaging nearby furniture.
Read the guideMore room for life.Canvas storage basket care and everyday organisation
Identify a canvas bucket before cleaning it, protect printed decoration and organise its contents so it stays useful and easy to reset.
Read the guideMore room for life.Timber furniture care: finishes, dusting and moisture
Identify a timber furniture finish, plan gentle upkeep and protect tables, cabinets and sideboards from everyday moisture.
Read the guideMore room for life.Wall-art display and care: prints, frames and objects
Plan a manageable wall display, identify artwork and frames, and keep routine cleaning separate from conservation.
Read the guideMore room for life.Leather home-accessory care: pouffes, straps and trim
Identify leather finishes and structural details before cleaning pouffes, hanging straps and decorative home accessories.
Read the guideWHEN YOU’D LIKE A HAND
Some days, leave it to us.
For the regular upkeep, a deeper reset or a home you’re moving out of. Find the clean that fits.
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