A Guide to Cleaning Your Student Living Space

University life is challenging because you have to juggle your academics, social life, and other responsibilities all at the same time. Unfortunately, once your McMaster student housing accommodations have been neglected, your academics and relationship with flatmates could suffer too.

One way to achieve order in this busy time is to spot clean your living space regularly. Below are some steps you can take to clean up your student accommodations, all of which can be done in an hour or two.

Before you start, be sure to have a basic stash of cleaning products on hand, such as bleach, disinfectant, baking soda, wet wipes, paper towels, and garbage bags.

Make the bed.

Your bed is the focal point of your room. Aside from being a place to sleep, it also serves as your lounge and study area. Making your bed first thing in the morning will help you stay on track through the rest of the day. It’s also a simple and easy chore to do that makes the whole space look tidier.

If beddings have not been changed for a long time, replace them with new ones. Make it a point to change your sheets and pillowcase every week.

Wash the dishes. 

Tired of all the dishes piling up in the sink? Load them up in the dishwasher. For tougher stains, fill up your sink with soapy water and let the dishes soak before cleaning.

Wipe down your dining table, countertops, microwave, and refrigerator. Check the fridge and pantry for expired food and throw away the kitchen trash.

Dust all around. 

As a general rule, start dusting from the top then work your way down. Start with the ceiling, then work your way down to the walls and shelves. This way, you won’t spread the dust around. You’ll need to dust more frequently if you or your flatmates suffer from allergies.

Vacuum the floor.

Once all the dust has settled into the floor, it’s time to bring out the vacuum. Run the vacuum over your rugs or carpet, as well as into tight nooks and crannies. To make sure all the dust has been removed, you can follow it up with a quick mop.

Clean the bathroom.Clean the toilet, sink, shower, or tub with detergent, then let it soak for five minutes before rinsing. Scrub harder to get rid of water stains and soap scum. Make sure to get rid of hair on the shower and arrange all the toiletries and makeup on the counter.

Share the chores.

More often than not, the person who can’t stand the mess ends up doing most of the cleaning. This shouldn’t be the case. You should share the household chores equally among flatmates. Rotate tasks weekly so everyone gets the chance to clean each shared space.

Spot cleaning will keep the clutter and dirt away from your student apartment. It will also make deep cleaning easier, which is something you should do once a month.