Housekeeping Staff at Luxury Hotels can teach you everything you need to know about cleaning. 

Staying in a luxury hotel isn’t just about the plush bedding and room service – it’s about how effortlessly clean and organized everything feels. There’s something about the way a hotel room makes you want to relax, yet everything is pristine. It’s more than just good housekeeping – it’s an art form.

If you’ve ever stayed in a high-end hotel and found yourself wondering, How do they do it? you’re not alone. The truth is, housekeeping at top hotels have perfect cleaning techniques that can be easily applied at home. Here’s how you can steal some of their best tips for a cleaner, more organized space.

1. Make Your Bed Every Morning

It’s simple but powerful. In hotels, the bed is always made the minute you step out, and it sets the tone for the entire room. When you make your bed first thing, it immediately makes the space feel more organized and inviting.

How to do it at home:

• Invest in high-quality sheets that are easy to make up – think crisp cotton or linen. I bought this linen set from The Citizenry and they just get better and better over time. 
• Add extra pillows for that hotel touch – two firm, two soft.
• Keep a neutral-toned blanket at the foot of the bed for an instantly tidy look.

2. Keep Surfaces Free of Clutter

One of the most striking things about hotel rooms is how empty their surfaces are. There's nothing that distracts you from the clean lines and openness. At home, it’s easy to pile things on countertops or tables – but keeping surfaces clear not only looks better, it’s easier to clean.

How to do it at home:

• Get rid of items you don’t use daily. Keep only essentials on countertops.
• Use drawer organizers to stash away clutter.
• Invest in a side table with storage to keep things out of sight but still within reach.
• Add extra storage to keep items out of sight with smart furniture - like a storage ottoman.

3. Clean in Small, Frequent Sessions

Hotels don’t deep-clean every day – but they do tidy up constantly. A quick wipe of the bathroom sink, refreshing towels, fluffing the pillows – it’s all about maintaining a baseline of cleanliness so deep cleaning isn’t necessary every few days.

How to do it at home:

• Wipe down surfaces (kitchen counters, bathroom sink) as part of your daily routine. Use a multi-surface cleaner like Method All-Purpose Cleaner or Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Cleaner for a streak-free finish and a pleasant, fresh scent.
• Make the bed as soon as you wake up. A well-made bed instantly makes a room look tidier.
• Do a five-minute reset in the evening – straighten cushions, fold blankets, and clear any dishes. Use a microfiber cloth like the E-Cloth General Purpose Cloth for dusting and wiping down surfaces. This will keep your home feeling fresh and free from the buildup of clutter.

By incorporating these small, consistent habits with high-quality cleaning products, you’ll be able to maintain a cleaner home without the need for constant deep cleaning.

4. Use Fresh, Luxurious Scents

Top hotels are known for their subtle but refreshing scents. It’s not overpowering – it’s calming. Smelling fresh linen or a hint of lavender when you walk into a room immediately adds to the sense of cleanliness.

How to do it at home:

• Opt for linen sprays or diffusers with scents like lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus.
• Clean with unscented products, then finish with a refreshing spray to bring in that clean hotel vibe.
• Stick to light, natural scents that won’t overwhelm your space.

The Guide to Scents From Luxury Hotels:

1. Lavender

Use: Calming, Relaxing
You know it from: Four Seasons Hotels – Lavender is commonly used in their spas and room scents for relaxation, helping guests unwind after a long day of travel.

2. Eucalyptus

Use: Refreshing, Energizing
You know it from: Aman Resorts – Eucalyptus is a signature scent in their wellness and spa areas, known for its invigorating and refreshing qualities that complement the natural surroundings.

3. Citrus (Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit)

Use: Uplifting, Energizing
You know it from: Ritz-Carlton – Citrus fragrances are a hallmark of their signature room scents, often used to create a lively, clean atmosphere.

4. Fresh Linen

Use: Clean, Crisp
You know it from: The Langham Hotels – Known for their signature "Linen Breeze" scent, this fresh linen fragrance gives their rooms a crisp, welcoming feel, adding to the luxurious, hotel-like experience.

5. Sandalwood

Use: Grounding, Calming
You know it from: Bulgari Hotels & Resorts – Sandalwood is often incorporated in the scents of their high-end rooms and wellness facilities, known for its grounding, calming effects that create a peaceful, luxurious atmosphere.

6. Rose

Use: Floral, Romantic
You know it from: The St. Regis – Rose is a popular fragrance in their signature scent collection, used to evoke romance and elegance in their luxurious rooms and spa areas.

5. Keep Towels Fresh and Neat

In a hotel, towels are always perfectly fluffed, soft, and arranged neatly. They make the bathroom feel like a spa, and you can easily recreate this at home by following the same system.

How to do it at home:

• Use matching, high-quality towels – preferably white, as they are easy to bleach and always look luxurious. This Casaluna set from Target feels amazingly luxurious for the low price, and these striped bath sheets from Brooklinen are incredibly chic and unique.
• Fold towels neatly and keep them in an accessible, visible place (think open shelves or decorative bins).
• Replace old towels regularly so you never have to deal with ragged, worn-out linens.

6. Invest in Quality Cleaning Tools

Top hotels invest in the best cleaning tools to maintain their pristine condition. High-end vacuums, microfiber cloths, and eco-friendly cleaners are just a few of the items they rely on for everyday maintenance.

How to do it at home:

• Use microfiber cloths for dusting and cleaning surfaces – they trap dirt and dust better than traditional cloths.
• Invest in a high-quality vacuum that works well on all surfaces (look at places like Nordstrom Rack for incredible deals on a Dyson Vacuum)
• Go for eco-friendly cleaning products that smell great and get the job done without harsh chemicals.
• For large and complicated areas, know when to outsource, like hiring a pool cleaning service.

7. Keep the Bathroom Minimal and Functional

In top hotels, the bathroom is always spotless but simple. They don’t clutter countertops with products. Instead, everything has a place - usually in a drawer or behind a sleek cabinet.

How to do it at home:

• Keep only the essentials out - hand soap, a fresh towel, a toothbrush.
• Use drawer organizers to neatly store beauty products and toiletries.
• Keep your bathroom counter clean and free of clutter to maintain a calm, functional space.

8. Make Laundry Effortless

One of the biggest perks of hotel stays is having freshly laundered bedding and towels without lifting a finger. You can bring that same system home by staying on top of laundry so it doesn’t pile up.

How to do it at home:

• Invest in divided laundry baskets for easy sorting.
• Set a weekly laundry schedule so it doesn’t become a stressful chore.
• Keep extra bedding and towels on hand so you’re never stuck without clean options.

9. Deep Clean, But Less Often

Hotels deep-clean, but not every day. Instead, they keep everything looking spotless with daily maintenance. You can follow this same principle at home to avoid feeling overwhelmed by cleaning tasks.

How to do it at home:

• Focus on daily upkeep, but schedule a deep clean once a month – clean the baseboards, wash the windows, and organize your closets.
• Use cleaning services when needed to keep things low-maintenance.

10. Embrace Minimalism for Cleanliness

Lastly, one thing hotels do best is keep things minimal. Fewer items mean fewer things to clean, and fewer places for dust to hide.

How to do it at home:

• Declutter regularly – donate items you haven’t used in six months.
• Keep surfaces empty for a clean, open feel.
• Invest in multipurpose furniture to keep your home organized and functional.