The difficult, but rewarding experience of living in a dorm teaches you independence, useful life skills, and how to build new relationships. Since it is exciting and fun, most young adults are looking forward to it.
But there are a few things you need to take care of before you can settle into your dorm room and begin experiencing college life. For instance, learning about the college regulations, meeting your roommate, filling in the required papers and, of course, tidying your room.
Although it may have been weeks before the first day of classes, dorms are commonly cleaned in the summer and not always to the highest standards. It is a good idea to give your room a proper scrubbing before bringing your possessions in. This way, you can begin your new life with a fresh new start.
Here are some tips for cleaning a dorm room before moving in to help you make your living space pristine and impeccable in the quickest way possible and with the least amount of effort imaginable.
What Cleaning Supplies Do You Need
Let’s start with the basics and list all the things you will need to clean your room.
When loading the car (or moving truck) for your college move, make sure to put these items last so they can be unloaded first when you reach your dorm.
- A small vacuum;
- A dustpan and a broom;
- A mop and a bucket;
- A duster;
Sponges;- Microfiber cloths;
- Cleaning wipes;
- Paper towels;
- Scrub brushes;
- A toilet cleaner and a toilet brush;
- Multipurpose cleaner;
- Trash bags;
- Rubber gloves;
These are the bare necessities. Of course, if you are feeling adventurous, you can purchase specialised cleaners for your wooden floors, windows, toilet, etc. But let’s be real, where are you going to store them in that tiny room of yours? Buy a big bottle of multipurpose detergent, and our London experts will teach you what to do.
How to Clean Your Dorm Room Quickly
Before bringing your items in and starting the unpacking process, make sure to finish cleaning your dorm room because it will be easier to do so while it is still empty.
Start working as soon as you have checked the area and finished the necessary papers. Get some disposable gloves, open the windows, and start cleaning from the top down:
1. Dust everything –the walls, the furniture, the air conditioning and heating vents, the ceiling, and all of the room’s hard surfaces. Focus on the corners and clear them of any cobwebs you uncover.
3. Use the multipurpose cleaner to wipe the regularly handled surfaces such as door handles and light switches.
2. Clean the kitchen appliances, by using a moist towel to wipe them inside and out. Pay close attention to the refrigerator and microwave:
- Microwave – Place a bowl of water (and some lemon juice if you have a bottle) in the microwave and heat it on high for a while. Let it cool down, and use a sponge to clean the interior. Remember to softly wipe the exterior of the microwave with a microfibre cloth dipped in a light detergent solution.
- Refrigerator – Use the abovementioned mixture to clean the fridge inside and out.
Tip: If you have an electric kettle, pour inside one cup of white vinegar (remember to pick it up from the store). Leave it for 20 minutes and then wash it with water. Be careful and protect the electric parts from liquids. Wipe the outside with a microfibre cloth.
4. Clean the hard parts of your furniture – If you have a wood cleaner – now is the time to use it. Otherwise, use your trusted multipurpose cleaner and microfibre cloth. Remember, the rag must be damp but not wet.
5. Wipe your drawers – Use a damp cloth to remove the buildup dust inside all of the drawers ad cupboards.
6. Vacuum the upholstery – If you are lucky enough to have upholstered furniture, you need to take care of it. Use the proper attachment and vacuum everything. Use our upholstery cleaning guide if you are unsure what to do.
7. Vacuum your mattress – You need to clean the mattress from both sides before even attempting to sit on it. Use the upholstery attachment you met in the last task.
8. Hover the carpets – It is finally time to clean the carpets. Use this time to examine the rugs for stains and burn marks. If you spot any, catalogue them and report them to the dorm office. You want to avoid getting charged with the destruction of college property when you are not in the wrong.
9. Wipe the floor – Get your trusted mop and bucket and start wiping. Be careful around the corners of the furniture and in tight spaces. Avoid spilling water and detergent all over the place.
10. Clean the bathroom – The bathroom will require more work and time to clean, and it will be more difficult. However, it is essential that you get rid of all bacteria and germs from the area, so you must thoroughly wash and sanitise it. Hopefully, you have a proper toilet cleaner because the multipurpose one is not going to do work here:
- Toilet – Pour toilet cleaner into the bowl and let it sit. You can do that before you start wiping the floors of your room to save time. Once the solvent does its magic, get the toilet brush and scrub-scrub-scrub. Don’t forget to clean under the inside rim – the nastiest germs hide there. Then flush. Use a deluded solution from the toilet cleaner and water to wipe the outside of the bowl and the lid.
- Tiles – First, make sure to wet all the surfaces you are about to wash. Then get a brush, dip it into the already mentioned solution made of toilet cleaner and water, and start scrubbing. This is the fastest and cheapest way to disinfect and clean all tiled surfaces.
- Shower head and sink – Use the same method as with the tiles.
- Mirror – If you have a window cleaner, this is your cue to unpack it. Otherwise, the all-purpose detergent will do the job just fine.
Disclaimer 1: Before cleaning the bathroom, you must put on protective gear, a.k.a. rubber gloves. Toilet cleaners often contain bleach which is an extremely dangerous solvent.
Disclaimer 2: Open all windows, and if possible, your front door, when washing your bathroom. You need a constant fresh airflow to remove the vapours from the disinfectants. If you start to feel lightheaded, drop everything and go outside. Bleach is not something to experiment with.
While in the bathroom, pay attention to any chipped or cracked tiles, and you guessed it – report them before unpacking.
How to Maintain my Dorm Room Clean
Several factors will determine how frequently you should use your cleaning materials, including how much time you have, how untidy you are, the kinds of messes you make, and how sensitive you are to clutter. A more appropriate question may be: “How to maintain my dorm room clean.” Maintenance is quick and easy when the cleaning chores are separated into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks.
Cleaning your dorm room before moving in is crucial for your comfort and mood. But if you don’t have h energy for it, or just can’t be bothered give us a call. Our London pros are experts in sorts of domestic cleanups. We will be in and out in no time. It will be easier to start your new college life in a freshly cleaned space.
Good luck with your academics and don’t forget to keep your room tidy at all times!
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