Dorm Room Move-In Cleaning
As your kids get ready for college, there are a lot of things to plan for. In addition to school supplies and books, they’ll also need household supplies and home goods like bedding and furniture. This is also the time that many students learn to really take care of themselves and their own space, including cleaning. And the ideal time to start regular cleaning is before your student even moves in to the dorm room!
More Than Meets the Eye
A dorm room may appear clean when you first walk in, but as many of us know, looking clean and actually being clean are often two different things. While moving all the new living essentials into a dorm room is exciting and students are eager to unpack and decorate their own space, giving the dorm room a good cleaning should be step one. And with just three other steps, the dorm room will sparkle and be prepped for college!
Take Advantage of the Clear Floors
Before furniture moves in, rugs are laid down and shoes are scattered about, it’s a good idea to take advantage of a clear floor. Sweep and vacuum every little corner, since you may not see the corners again until the end of the semester. If the floors are linoleum or tile, consider a strong disinfectant with bleach. Check carpeting for any spots and treat accordingly.
Who Used That Furniture Last?
In dorm rooms students are often sharing beds, desks and drawers. You don’t know who was in this room last, how clean they were and what they put in or on the furniture. Before shoving clothes in the drawers and making the bed, give it all a good wipe down. Be sure to use wood cleaner on any wood furniture and disinfectant on hard surfaces. Now is a good time to also wipe down air conditioning vents. If you are using a refrigerator, wipe it inside and out and add a box of baking soda to keep things odor-free.
Battleground Bathroom
The bathroom is the biggest cleaning villain in any home, but a dorm bathroom can be a real battleground. Again, you don’t know who was in here last, what they did and how it was last cleaned. You’ll probably spend most of your cleaning time in here.
Mop the floors, making sure to get the grout and corners. Scrub the shower. Dorm shower floors are famous for spreading things like athletes foot, so stop it in its tracks! Now is a good time to install and start using an automatic shower cleaner that just needs the push of a button after each rinse. Wipe down mirrors and fixtures with glass cleaner, preferably one that includes vinegar. Then tackle the toilet. It’s just as important to scrub the bowl as it is to disinfect the seat and lid. This is also a good opportunity to leave a one-and-done cleaner in the bowl or tank.
Keep it Clean
While your college student is learning the basics of keeping a clean home, why not get your home cleaned? Giving your home a deep clean while your child is away is an excellent opportunity to tackle often unseen areas. In addition to regularly scheduled cleanings, HouseMaids specializes in one-time and deep cleanings. A deep cleaning is like a reset button, getting your home spotless in just a few hours (and leaving you free to attend to matters)!
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