When you move into a student residence, you may be surprised how messy it can get so quickly. After all, it’s a group of different individuals, living together for the first time under one roof, with some probably having left home for the first time. It’s important to maintain clean communal (and private) spaces as it’ll help you get along better with other residents. During the past year, cleanliness and hygiene have been brought to the forefront of our minds more than ever, and although most of us appreciate a clean living space, keeping it that way is not exactly the most thrilling of tasks. This guide will help you keep your own room and other communal spaces clean and tidy.
Cleaning communal spaces
1. The bathroom and toilet
According to the NHS, the bathroom is one of the parts of the house where germs are most easily spread, so one of the best student accommodation cleaning tips we can offer is to keep the bathroom as hygienic as possible. Don’t leave personal products in the bathrooms and check that you’ve left the shower and toilet as clean as you would like to find it.
2. The Kitchen
With an estimated 10 million bacteria per square inch, the BBC reports that the average kitchen sponge is 200,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat! Wow! This means that the worst thing you can do is wipe a dirty cloth along your kitchen surfaces. Instead, use a clean cloth and an all-purpose kitchen cleaning spray to wipe up surfaces, especially if you’ve been preparing food, or are about to make a meal. Don’t pour grease down the sink as it can cause blockages and even broken pipes!
3. The Fridge
Cleaning the fridge is simple. Empty it out, remove the shelves, and give them a good wash with washing up liquid. Allow them to dry and pop them back in. As the home of all fresh food, it’s vital you clean the fridge on a regular basis and empty if of any food that’s on the turn to keep the growth of mould and bacteria at bay. The door seals, shelves and walls of the fridge should all be thoroughly cleaned with soapy water or appropriate cleaning products.
4. Wash as you go
Dirty dishes are inevitable in student accommodation, but when they start building up in the sink and on the side – you’ve got a problem. Dirty dishes covered in leftover food and piling up on the side can be hugely attractive to ants and mice. But you can avoid an infestation altogether by cleaning up your dishes as you go. Yes, washing the dishes can be unappealing. But what’s five minutes of washing-up compared to an hour spent scrubbing dirty plates that have been sat out for far too long?
Cleaning Your Room
Your student room is your own private haven away from the long lectures and seminars, so keeping it clean and tidy can really help you to relax and unwind. After all, they always say ‘tidy house, tidy mind’!
1. The bed and sheets
When you start your day by tidying up your bed, it will be easier for you to not crawl back under the sheets. Also, do try to swap your bedding (esp. sheets and pillowcases) every week. Many experts recommend weekly washings because your sheets can accumulate a lot of stuff you can’t see: thousands of dead skin cells, dust mites, sweat. Did you know that the majority of 18-24-year-olds only wash bedding once every 3 weeks (and it’s often a lot longer than that)? That’s a long time collecting dry skin and absorbing sweat!
2. Keep your wardrobe organised
Moths love nothing better than a cluttered wardrobe, so if you don’t want to have to go shopping for new clothes, it’s a good idea to try to keep your wardrobe well organised. Donate anything you don’t wear and have a laundry bag or basket set up so that you have somewhere to put your dirty items. Do your laundry regularly so that your basket doesn’t overflow. Dirty undies everywhere? Not great.
3. Keep your desk tidy
It’s no secret that student rooms aren’t exactly spacious and sprawling, so even the smallest amount of clutter can have a massive impact. A rubbish bin is absolutely essential in a student room so that you have somewhere to dispose of papers and bottles, and if you’ve got your tidying head-on then don’t be afraid to be a little ruthless. Got books, notepads, or stationary you don’t plan to use? Give them away!
4. Keep your floors clean
The longer you leave a stain on carpets and other types of flooring, the more difficult it will be to clean up. Be sure to vacuum carpet and brush laminate once a week, and if you have a spillage try to get it cleaned up as quickly as possible. A vacuum cleaner, dustpan, brush, mop, and bucket are available to borrow from reception.