Want that hotel-clean feel at home? Experts say this is the secret
There’s nothing quite like the calming luxury of stepping into a freshly prepped hotel room – the crisp white bedding, the soft lighting, the barely-there scent of something fresh and clean.
If you’ve ever wished your home could feel even half as polished, here’s the good news: according to Zara O’Hare at Land of Rugs, it absolutely can.
"You don’t need a full housekeeping team," says O’Hare. "You just need a few intentional habits that create the same feeling of calm and order."
1. Start with the 'Surface Sweep'
Hotel staff aren’t deep cleaning every day – they’re resetting surfaces to neutral. Adopt the same approach.
Spend 10–15 minutes clearing visible clutter, straightening cushions, and refreshing linens.
"It’s about making the space look loved again," O’Hare says.
2. Make Scent Part of the Experience
Hotels carefully control scent to evoke a clean, serene vibe. At home, try reed diffusers, linen sprays, or essential oil blends like eucalyptus, white tea or bergamot.
Avoid artificial or overpowering air fresheners – subtle is the goal.
3. Upgrade to White Bedding – and Treat It Well
White bedding always feels fresh – and forces you to keep it clean.
Wash in hot water once a week, add baking soda or white vinegar to each load, and go for breathable, high-thread-count cotton. Finish with a sharp fold at the foot of the bed for that luxe, hotel tuck.
4. Rotate Your Routine: The Five-Zone Rule
Instead of ‘cleaning the house’, divide it into five zones – sleeping, bathing, dining, relaxing, working – and tackle one per weekday.
“This hotel-style routine keeps everything under control without it feeling overwhelming,” says O’Hare.
5. Light is Everything
Hotels use natural light and soft tones to make spaces feel bigger and cleaner. Open your curtains wide each morning.
Swap out any harsh blue lighting for soft, warm LEDs or layered lamps for a gentle glow that flatters your home and your mood.
6. Try the Lint Roller Trick
Here’s a secret from hotel housekeeping: use a lint roller not just on clothes, but lampshades, fabric headboards, even shelves.
“It lifts dust fast and leaves no streaks,” says O’Hare. Surprisingly effective, especially before guests arrive.
7. Add a Signature Gesture
Whether it’s a rolled towel in the bathroom, a eucalyptus sprig on the bed, or a tray with a candle and book, adding one small curated touch creates the “someone cared about this” feeling hotels excel at.
