Dorms are notoriously difficult to keep clean and sanitary, and they can be even smaller. The average dorm room is only 228 square meters, which means each roommate has about 114 square meters of living space. This may seem less restrictive in terms of cleaning, but keep in mind that small rooms are more likely to get dirty. Proper cleaning of the dorm minimizes germs, makes it easier to breathe, and can have a positive effect on mental health.
If you’re not used to living in a dorm, you may be surprised at how quickly dirt, grime, and clutter can build up. And the longer you wait to clean up, the harder it will be. Instead of waiting for your dorm room to become a disaster, you should learn how to tidy your dorm room and keep it clean. If you use this handy guide and follow a cleaning plan for your dorm room, your room will soon feel like home again.
How do you clean your dorm room?
How you clean your dorm room and how much work it takes depends on whether you’re moving in, moving out, or if your room is a mess during graduation week. We show you in detail what you need to do before you move in, how to tidy your dorm room, and how to clean it at the end of the semester.
How do you clean your dorm room before you move in?
Many university maintenance departments clean and disinfect dorm rooms before you move in, but it’s a good idea to clean and disinfect your dorm room before you unpack. It’s a good idea to clean and disinfect your dorm room before you start unpacking – even if it’s been cleaned recently, the floors and other surfaces are still covered in dust and dirt and you won’t know how clean it is. It’s a good idea to use the available space to clean and spruce up the new rooms.
- Disinfect doorknobs, drawer handles, light switches, and anything else you touch often with a natural disinfectant like alcohol or distilled white vinegar. White vinegar is an inexpensive, natural disinfectant and cleaner, and much more, so keep a bottle on hand for the next cleaning.
- Wipe down furnishings, surfaces, and walls with a safe, natural all-purpose cleaner.
- Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors and wipe down corners and baseboards.
This will help you unpack and settle into your fresh, clean dorm room. Next, if your dorm room gets out of control (and it will sooner than you think!)), we’ll talk about how to deep clean your room.
How do you clean a messy dorm room?
Before you know it, your dorm room is a mess of dirty clothes, dishes, and other items. This leads to unpleasant odors, threatening molds, and unhealthy bacteria taking hold in the room and making it an unlivable environment. If this is the case, there are a few ways to clean it up and make it more livable.
Make the bed
You’ve probably heard your parents tell you how important it is to make your bed every day. They may have insisted that you make your bed so they don’t have to, but their advice is sound for many reasons. A clean, tidy bed helps the whole bedroom look tidy (and take up space). And making your bed every day can even be life-changing.
Organize your papers and books
College means independence, which means you’re in charge of your books, papers, schedules, and other important stuff. Design a filing system that includes a space for classwork, notebooks, and a folder for other important documents such as receipts for appliances and tuition. Make it a habit to put everything in its place and keep things in order.
Washing the dishes
No matter how big your dorm room is, one meal can ruin your kitchen if you don’t wash the dishes immediately. Piles of dishes in a small room not only cause a mess but also an unpleasant odor and make the environment more vulnerable to mold and bacteria. Wash and store all dishes and utensils, and make a habit of washing them daily.
Clean countertops and appliances
Remove deposits that have built up on countertops and clean them. Clean and sanitize appliances such as microwaves, coffee machines, and refrigerators, and discard expired or unneeded food and snacks.
Remove dust from surfaces.
Dust from ceiling to floor and use a broom to remove cobwebs; walk downstairs and wipe down gutters and shelves to get dust and dirt off the floor. Don’t forget your electronics. Dust not only makes your smartphones, speakers, and laptops look dirty, it can also damage your electronics.
Clean the floor
For carpets, deal with the dirt, vacuum, and use a crevice nozzle to reach all the corners. To clean hard floors, remove all carpeting and sweep and wipe. Carpets should be shaken out to remove dirt and debris, then returned to their original position once the floor is dry.
Cleaning the Bathroom
Most students use the residence hall bathroom with everyone else in the hallway, so consider it a privilege! Bathrooms are even smaller than dorm rooms and can quickly become messy. Get rid of anything you don’t need and store the things you do need on shelves, in the shower stall, or in the closet. Collect all dirty towels and clothes, then clean and disinfect every corner of the bathroom.
Washing clothes
If you don’t keep your sheets, blankets, and clothes clean, you’re better off skipping the lesson on how to keep your dorm room clean. Please don’t. Sheets should be washed about once a week, and laundry should be washed before filling the hamper to avoid clutter and odors.
How do you clean your dorm room at the end of the semester?
When you go home at the end of the semester, don’t expect the campus administration staff to clean up after you. After all, you’ll soon be back in your own little house, and a big mess isn’t the best way to get back into the swing of things. If your dorm room is even remotely tidy, that’s all you need.
- Clean the outside and inside of refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers.
- Wash glasses and let them air dry.
- Vacuum curtains, curtain rods, door and window frames, and under furniture.
- Quickly clean the floor and sort out the rest of your stuff.
- Dismount the bed and thoroughly clean the mattress.
How often should I clean my dorm room?
The technical answer is that every day is good if you want to keep dirt, dust, bacteria, and odors at bay. However, the more practical answer is to clean as often as possible. How often you use cleaning products depends on how clean and tidy you and your roommate are, and how you both feel about dirt, germs, and grime. Visit also: best Sofa cleaning in Willoughby
You may think differently about this, so be willing to compromise. Better yet, instead of asking how often you should clean, take the initiative to ask how you can keep it clean. The answer is: follow this guide and use the dorm cleaning checklist below.
Residence Hall Cleaning Checklist
Step by step, piece by piece. The easiest way to tackle a large project or messy dorm room is to break it down into manageable pieces. By dividing your cleaning tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly sections, you can easily keep your room in order week after week.
Follow this dorm cleaning plan and share it with your roommates to keep dirt, dust, and germs under control.
Daily life
- Making the bed
- Tidying up the mess on the floor
- Washing and storing dishes
- Disinfection of high contact surfaces
Weekly
- Vacuuming, sweeping, and wiping
- Washing clothes (including bedding)
- Cleaning microwaves and other appliances on work surfaces
- Wipe dust off furniture and surfaces
- Take out the garbage
Monthly
- Clean windows and mirrors
- Clean refrigerator and discard old food
- Also clean and tidy desks and files
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