7 Cleaning Tasks You Should Do Every Night Before Bed

The concept of pulling the “night shift” at home has been trending for a hot minute, and the idea is pure genius. Cleaning up certain spaces before hitting the hay means you get to wake up to a sparkling, tidy house and can conquer the day with a fresh start—quite literally. Who better to consult about what to clean before bed than professional cleaners who do this thing for a living. We asked them about the non-negotiable tasks they always check off before drifting off to sleep.

Wipe Down the Bathroom 

A quick bathroom wipe down every night keeps grime from accumulating and makes your morning routine way more of a breeze. “Toothpaste splatters and water spots can pile up fast, so doing a quick clean at night helps keep things looking good without any hassle,” says Michelle Urban, professional home organizer and the owner of The Organized House. “Just stash some disinfecting wipes or a microfiber cloth under the sink for a fast swipe at the counters and mirror.”

This little task takes no more than a couple minutes, but makes a huge difference in keeping this space fresh and tidy. 

Tackle the Kitchen Sink 

One of the sweetest sounds in the world is a whirring dishwasher loaded with the day’s dishes. “Waking up without a counter or sink full of dishes can help you have a fresh start each morning without worrying about yesterday’s mess,” says Katie Barton, professional cleaning expert based in Cincinnati, Ohio. “To keep dishes manageable, create a routine. Run and unload the dishwasher at the same time every day.”

For example, she runs her dishwasher every night and unloads it each morning as the kids get ready for school. A clear dishwasher in the morning also makes it easy to load up dishes as they’re used.

Clean the Kitchen Counters 

Similarly, wiping down your kitchen counters encourages you to tidy up clutter and prevents grime from accumulating in this high traffic space. “Cleaning the kitchen counters every night prevents food particles and residue from attracting pests and creating unpleasant smells,” says Bryan Griffin, professional cleaner and founder of Patriot Maids Cleaning Services. “It also means waking up to a clean and inviting kitchen, setting a positive tone for the day.”

A simple spritz of your go-to counter cleaner and a towel is all you need to conquer this task—and it shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes. 

Take Out the Trash and Recycling

If you notice the trash is full—or if you’ve recently tossed food or other items that could get smelly—go ahead and take care of it before bed. Check on your recycling bin, as well. Taking care of these tasks the night before means you wake up to a bin that’s not overflowing or smelly. This goes for bins in the kitchen, bathrooms, or elsewhere. 

Pick Up the Family Room 

Spending just two to three minutes tidying up the family room pushes reset so you can wake up to a calm and welcoming space. “Pick up items off the floor, fluff pillows, fold blankets, and put away anything left out,” Urban advises.

To make cleaning up super easy, she suggests using a cute basket and keeping it in the room for quick pick-ups. You can just toss in random stuff like toys, magazines, or the miscellaneous items lying around and deal with them later when you have more time. 

Tend to Strewn Clothing 

Clothing is one of those things that can quickly pile up, leading to a space that feels chaotic and disheveled. That sweater you decided not to wear but left unfolded, the little pile accumulating on your bedroom chair, or garments that’ve been tossed on the floor—all of these items should be addressed in your nighttime pick-up routine.

“Clothes thrown on the bedroom floor immediately make a room look smaller, unkempt, out of control, and disorganized,” says Barbara Bock, a professional organizer. “Piles of dirty clothes left around the house are not only unpleasant to look at, but they give off odors and give in to an unhealthy lifestyle.” 

Lightly Tidy Primary Living Areas

Do a quick run-through of all your main living areas each night so that you don’t wake up to an overwhelming mess in the morning. This includes the family room, mentioned above, but also the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and the entry way.

“Take 20 minutes to walk through the house, picking up any trash, dirty clothes, or out-of-place items, and put them all where they belong,” Barton says. “Doing this each night will keep your home tidy and make deep cleaning on the weekends much quicker and easier.”