Dorm living is a challenging and rewarding experience – it’s about learning to be independent, acquiring useful life skills, and building new relationships. It’s exciting and it’s a lot of fun – and most young adults are looking forward to it.
Before you can move into your dorm room and immerse yourself in college life, however, you need to take care of a few things – learn the college rules, coordinate with your roommate(s), handle the required paperwork, check in at the RA office, etc. You also need to clean your room.
Dorms are usually cleaned in the summer, but that may have been weeks before college move-in day – and not necessarily to the highest standards. It is, therefore, a good idea to give your room a good cleaning before bringing your stuff in – the empty space will be easy to clean as there will be nothing to get in your way and you will be able to finish the task quickly and start your dorm life in a clean and fresh environment.
Here are some tips for cleaning a dorm room before moving in to help you make your living space spotless and pristine in as little time and with as little effort as possible.
What dorm room cleaning supplies you’re going to need
In order to be able to clean your dorm room on move-in day in a fast and efficient manner, you need to have the right supplies for the job:
- A small vacuum (or a large one, if your parents can take it back home with them)
- A dustpan and a broom
- A mop and a bucket
- A duster
- Sponges, cleaning rags, and microfiber cloths
- Cleaning wipes
- Paper towels
- Scrub brushes
- A toilet cleaner and a toilet brush
- Universal cleaner, wood cleaner, carpet cleaner, glass cleaner, and any other cleaners you consider necessary
- Bleach
- Disinfectant sprays
- Natural cleaners – baking soda, lemon juice, white vinegar, etc.
- Trash bags
- Disposable plastic or rubber gloves
When packing the car (or moving truck) for moving to college, be sure to pack these supplies last, so they can be unloaded first when you arrive at the dorm.
See also: Tips for a smooth dorm move-in day
How to clean a dorm room before moving in
It will be easier to clean your dorm room while it is still empty, so be sure to complete the task before you bring your items in and start unpacking.
Get down to work as soon as you’ve inspected the room and filled out the necessary forms – open up the windows, put on disposable gloves, and start cleaning from the top down:
- Dust everything – the ceiling, the lighting fixtures, the air conditioning and heating vents, the walls, the furniture, and all hard surfaces in the room. Pay special attention to the corners and remove any cobwebs you find.
- Wipe frequently touched surfaces like door handles and light switches with disinfectant wipes.
- Clean the appliances (if any are provided) – wipe the appliances inside and out with a damp cloth. Pay special attention to the microwave and the fridge:
- Microwave – Put a bowl of water with some lemon juice in the microwave and turn the appliance on high for several minutes. Let cool and wipe the inside clean with a sponge. Wipe the outside of the microwave with a cloth dampened in a mild detergent solution, then rinse and wipe dry a clean, soft cloth;
- Refrigerator – Wipe down the refrigerator walls, doors, and handles with soapy water. Remove all drawers and shelves and wash them well. Clean the inside of the fridge with a food-safe disinfectant or a solution of vinegar and water. When the appliance is fully dry, replace the drawers and shelves and put a container with baking soda inside to absorb any bad odors. Do not forget to clean behind and underneath the refrigerator.
- Take care of the furniture – Use wood cleaner on wooden surfaces and all-purpose cleaner on any other hard surfaces. Vacuum upholstered furniture (use the upholstery attachment) and treat stains with a carpet cleaner. Take special care of the mattress – vacuum it thoroughly, sprinkle baking soda all over the surface, let it sit for an hour, then vacuum again (use the brush attachment to effectively remove the soda).
- Clean the floor – If the room has hard flooring (like vinyl, linoleum, laminate, or wood), sweep thoroughly (give special attention to corners and areas under beds and desks where dirt and dust collect the most), then mop the surface with a solution of warm water and a neutral cleaner. If there is carpeting, vacuum it carefully and use a carpet cleaner to spot clean stains.
- Clean the bathroom – Cleaning the bathroom will be more of a challenge and will take a lot of time and effort. It is, however, crucial that you eliminate all germs and bacteria from the place, so you need to scrub and disinfect every inch of the bathroom:
- Dust the vents and clean the exhaust fan;
- Spay all tiled surfaces with a mixture of one part bleach and four parts water (or equal parts white vinegar and water), wait for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly;
- Wipe down the doors, towel racks, and light fixtures with a damp sponge and all-purpose cleaner;
- Pay attention to the shower – if a college shower isn’t properly cleaned, it could spread funguses or viruses like athlete’s foot or staph infection. So, be sure to scrub the shower walls and shower floor well (use an all-purpose cleaner and rinse with hot water) and clean the showerhead, shower rod, and shower faucets (use baking soda and a vinegar/water solution, then rinse thoroughly). Use polishing cleaner on any metal knobs or fixtures in the shower;
- Sprinkle baking soda all over the sink, scrub it with a damp sponge, then rinse with hot water. Pour baking soda and white vinegar down the drain to clean out any residue and make sure the sink isn’t clogged (if it is you may need some strong unclogging chemicals);
- Use glass cleaner and paper towels to clean the bathroom mirror;
- Clean and disinfect the toilet – coat the inside of the toilet bowl with a strong disinfectant cleaner and let it sit for 15 minutes, then scrub the bowl with the toilet brush and flush. Wipe down the exterior with an all-purpose cleaner or a bleach solution (1/2 cup of bleach in one gallon of water). Wipe the toilet seat with disinfectant wipes;
- Scrub the bathroom floor with soapy water and a scrub brush. Mop with clean water and let dry. (If the floor is very dirty, mop with a bleach solution, then with clean water).
Good to remember: Let your roommate(s) and anyone who shares the bathroom with you know when you clean with bleach and take all the necessary safety precautions (make sure the area is well ventilated, do not mix bleach with other cleaning products, keep away from metals, etc.)
Cleaning your dorm room before settling in is crucial for your comfort and peace of mind – and cleaning the space will be easiest and most efficient when it is still mostly empty. So, be sure to give your dorm room a thorough cleaning before you start unpacking and arranging your items – and do your best to make the place feel like your own. It will be easy to make a successful fresh start in your freshly cleaned dorm room. Good luck in college life – and be sure to keep your room clean and fresh at all times!
Must-read: How to move into a dorm
