By Rachael Thompson Wellness 14.03.2023

How Organization Expert Chantel Mila Maintains Sleep Hygiene in Her Home

From a DIY linen spray to ambient lighting.

When we think about improving our chances of having a good night's sleep, we tend to think about what's happening in our bedrooms. But getting a sound night's rest will involve aspects outside of your sleep sanctuary and extend to other areas of the home. For example, having a home that's clean and organized can increase your chances of being able to properly wind down at the end of the day because you're alleviating the stress that comes with a chaotic home.

To get some advice, we turned to cleaning and organization extraordinaire, Chantel Mila for her tips on how she creates a home that helps support her sleep hygiene.

Chantel is an organisational expert and interior stylist who garners millions of views each week on her short videos that share tips, tricks, and hacks to make your home a place that you'll love. She's also a mum of two so keeping a tidy home and balancing work is no mean feat.

What have you personally found has helped you get a better night’s sleep?

Getting a good night's sleep is so important to your physical and mental wellbeing, but honestly it’s not something I really prioritised when I was a bit younger. Now my bedtime routine is so important, and setting a wind-down schedule can help you get a great night's rest and feel rejuvenated and your best self the next day!

I love to keep my room temperature regulated at around 18 degrees, and because my husband has dust allergies, we use an air purifier at night too. Bed Threads sheets are so amazing at temperature regulating and are so soft, which is why we love them so much. Also, try to avoid the before-bed scroll (particularly the endless loop of TikTok!), and try to keep the bedroom a technology-free zone.

I also love making my DIY magnesium spray by dissolving 2 tbsp Epsom salt or magnesium flakes into boiling water. Allow it to cool, add essential oils of your choice and use the spray to help calm you before bed.

How do you make your bed look and feel as comfortable as possible?

A clean bed starts with a clean mattress, so make sure every linen change you are vacuuming and airing your mattress to keep it fresh and clean. You can soften your linen by washing it with a gentle detergent and 1 cup baking soda in the wash. When placing your linen into the dryer, add 2-3 dryer balls to the drum to help further soften the linen, help it dry faster and prevent it from tangling. You can finish with a linen spray to keep your bedding smelling fresh for longer!

Can you walk us through your bedtime routine?

I try to eat dinner quite early with the kids, and then start my bedtime routine once they’re in bed. I shower and change into PJ’s (I love Bed Threads Sleepwear Sets as they’re so soft and comfortable), I’ll watch a TV show (at the moment my favourite is Why Women Kill) while sipping on a sleep tea or turmeric tea. I try to turn off technology about an hour before bedtime, where I’ll run down on our day with my husband, make a quick list of things to do tomorrow or read a book. I pop in my retainers, use a linen spray and make the room cool and dark and drift into sleep.

What sleep products do you swear by that you won’t go a night without?

My turmeric tea or sleep tea are two nightly must-haves for me! When I travel, I pack them in my suitcase, they just set the tone for the night! I also love my DIY linen spray to make the room smell calming and peaceful before falling asleep.

What are your top tips for setting up a home for a good night’s sleep?

I really believe that a calm home = calm mind. When there are dishes in the sink, or piles of laundry that need to be washed, it can feel like life is a bit out of control. By keeping our home clean and organized, we’re able to put ourselves in a great mentality moving into the week.
They say that making your bed helps you accomplish the first task of the day, therefore making you more productive to complete other tasks, and I’m such a big believer in that.
Ambient lighting throughout the home can also promote a good night's sleep, simple things like switching out cool-toned light bulbs for warm-toned bulbs can make such a difference.
If you don’t have a seperate study or office (I don’t have one either) try to keep office work or school work out of the bedroom. Whether it’s a section of your dining table or a designated space in your home, allow yourself to create zones throughout the house.