Bed frame
Made from wood, metal, or upholstered, a bed frame is an affordable, stylish way to support your mattress - giving adequate airflow and a great night’s sleep.
Why should I clean my bed?
Cleaning your bed frame regularly has many benefits. For a start, a proper routine of care and maintenance will ensure a bed frame lasts as long as possible, which is important - since it’s one of the biggest investment and most-used pieces of furniture you’ll purchase for your home. A solid, structurally sound bed frame will also give your mattress great support, ensuring that your mattress lasts as long as possible, and your bed as a whole offers a supportive night’s sleep. A good bed cleaning routine will also help to lift dust, dirt and other allergens from your bed’s surface, preventing it settling in and helping to alleviate allergy symptoms long-term.
How long should a bed frame last?
With proper care and attention, a quality bed frame could last you a lifetime! However, the lifespan of a bed frame can vary depending on the materials used, build quality, weight of the sleepers, how much use it gets, and how you treat it. For example, a bed you sleep in every night will be under far more strain (and wear out faster) than a guest bed which is only slept in a few times a year. However, If your bed frame is creaking, has a wobble you can’t fix, no longer feels like it’s supporting your mattress, has stains you can’t remove, or is simply looking tired or dated - it might be time to consider replacing it.
How to look after your bed
A regular routine of maintenance and cleaning will ensure your bed frame keeps giving you a great night’s sleep, year after year. Here’s a few top tips that can help you take good care of your bed frame.
Ensure bolts, clips and screws are secure
There’s nothing more annoying than a wobbly bed - and if left unchecked, your bed could even end up collapsing in the middle of the night! Whether you’re assembling your bed yourself for the first time, re-assembling it after moving, or simply giving it a routine check - it’s very important to ensure any clips, bolts, and screws are securely fastened in place, which should usually be done with a screwdriver, allen key or wrench, rather than just hand-tightened. We don’t recommend power tools for assembling any of our beds.
Wash your bedding weekly
Washing your bedding weekly not only ensures you get a hygienic night’s sleep, but it can actually protect your bed too - stopping odours and debris from settling into both the frame and mattress. If the wash care instructions on your bedding allow you to do so, we recommend washing on a 60 degree cycle to give your linens a good deep clean and kill any bacteria hiding in there - particularly important if you have kiddos or pets that like to climb into bed with you!
Don’t forget - your duvet and pillows should be cleaned or replaced regularly too. As long as you’re changing your bedding regularly, you can limit washing your duvet to just twice a year. Pillows generally aren’t machine washable, as it can break down the FR treatment - so it’s best to just replace these when they are no longer comfortable. Check the care labels on your duvet to see if it is safe for your washing machine - you might have to take it to the launderette or dry cleaners.
Vacuum under your bed every month
Keep your entire bedroom feeling fresh - and allergen-free - by vacuuming under your bed every month. It’s also worth wiping down the skirting board behind your headboard, as this can collect more dust than other areas in your bedroom due to less air circulation.
Be mindful of makeup, skincare and haircare products
Makeup, skincare and haircare products - as well as the natural oils in your skin - can more easily mark or stain fabric bed frames and headboards than other materials, like wood or metal. The best way to deal with these is prevention (although we will share some cleaning tips later in this guide). Always take your makeup off and ensure lotions have dried before getting into bed, as they can soak through bedding and stain your bed or mattress.
Hair treatments like leave-in conditioners, oils or masks - as well as tanning products - can also mark or stain your headboard - so try to avoid these coming into contact with your bed frame if at all possible. If you often sit in bed with hair products applied, or use overnight treatments, you can wrap up your hair in a towel, wear a bonnet or turban, or cover your headboard with a towel to prevent direct contact. When using overnight tanners, ensure you cover up your body or your headboard (or both!)as much as possible to prevent contact in the night.
Invest in a cover for items stored under the bed
Items stored under bed frames with slats, particularly if there for a long time, can get covered in dust and dirt. A washable mechanism cover or slatted bed underlay fits over the bed slats, covering the open spots and protecting anything stored underneath. Alternatively, you could use vacuum bags or storage boxes for anything you need to store under the bed for long periods.
Consider the material your bed is made from
With several options to choose from when it comes to how your bed is constructed, it’s worth remembering that different materials will require different care. Wooden bed frames with an oiled finish may need to be oiled once or twice a year to keep them protected; wood is also an absorbent material, and to prevent warping or fading, you should keep the light and humidity levels low in your bedroom. Upholstery fabrics should also be protected from direct sunlight to keep them from fading, and metal bed frames can even rust if you don’t ensure they are dried off after cleaning. You should always read the manufacturer’s instructions that come with your bed to establish an appropriate routine of cleaning and care.
How to care for a standard bed frame
Caring for a standard bed frame is generally quite straightforward. If you ever notice your bed wobbling, you should check all the pieces of your bed frame are securely fixed, and that any bolts are tightened up. Any broken slats should be replaced immediately to maintain the structural integrity of the bed frame, and ensure your mattress is well supported. If you ever disassemble and reassemble your bed frame - for example, when you move house - be sure to rebuild it securely and tighten all screws and bolts as indicated in the assembly instructions.
How to care for an ottoman bed frame
Because most ottoman bed frames are made with sprung slats, dust and dirt can fall in under the mattress and collect inside the under-bed storage area. It’s a good idea to clean in here a few times a year - take everything out, and either vacuum or wipe out the inside with a soft cloth, depending on whether your ottoman bed frame has a base, or is just open to the floor. As with standard bed frames, you should regularly check for any loose bolts, screws or broken slats and tighten or replace them if needed, to ensure the bed remains structurally sound.
How to care for a divan bed base
Divan bed bases are usually self-contained, so there’s not much maintenance required here. It’s a good idea to regularly check that any clips, bolts or bars used to join the separate parts of your divan base together are securely fastened. If your divan base has storage drawers, it’s worth remembering that dust and dirt can also collect here - so it’s best to empty the drawers a few times a year and give them a good wipe out with a soft cloth.
How to clean your bed frame
Looking for tips on how to clean your bed frame? The best place to look is always the manufacturer’s instructions that came with your bed frame, so always check those first. But whether you have a wooden, metal or upholstered bed - check out our general advice below to help keep it clean and fresh.
