How to Clean a Dorm Room Before Moving In

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Cleaning Your Dorm Before Moving In

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It's time to go back to school. If you're going to live on campus at a university this year, that means that you are moving into a dorm. Any time you move into a new place, you have the rare opportunity to clean that space before you place a bunch of items in it. You may want to do this before you move into your dorm room.

Is it necessary to clean your dorm before moving in?

Some schools are pretty good about having their dorm rooms cleaned before move-in day. During orientation you should get a sneak peak at dorm rooms' conditions. Sometimes they will be freshly cleaned for the fall semester, sometimes they will be untouched since last spring, and other times summer classes mean that the dorm will be occupied right up until you move into it. This can mean the difference between a very clean room, a dusty but generally clean room, and a dirty room. Be prepared to clean your dorm when moving in, but a quick inspection of the living space should determine just how necessary or extensive the cleaning job will be.

Tip: Don't forget to check shared spaces like bathrooms and showers. These are often the places that need the most cleaning and you could perhaps enlist the aid of your new roommates/neighbours to help clean these shared areas.

Here are some cleaning supplies to bring for the pre-move dorm-cleaning:
  • A small vacuum, or a larger one if you can have your parents take it back home with them
  • Toilet cleaner and toilet brush
  • Baking soda
  • Cleaning wipes
  • A duster
  • Bleach (if you want to get serious with sanitizing the bathroom)
  • Paper towels
  • Scrubbing Bubbles or some other kind of automatic shower cleaning device
  • A dustpan and broom
  • A mop
  • Any other spray cleaner that you may consider appropriate

The main living area

Remember to clean top to bottom. Start by assessing the dust situation. Work down the walls with your duster. Pay special attention to the corners. Wipe down any included furniture after it is dusted.

Beds are usually the most focused-on item by the school, so you rarely have to do much with them. You usually need to provide your own sheets, so they should be clean. Disinfect what you can if the outside of the mattress is plastic, but otherwise there isn't a lot you can do for your bed.

Once the walls and furniture are cleaned, you can move on to the floor. If it is a hard, flat surface, you can sweep the dust and dry dirt into a dustpan. If there is carpeting, then you can use your vacuum. Any carpet stains that you find are not your responsibility if they are there before you move in. You could try to remove them with carpet cleaning chemicals if you feel the need to do so.

If a refrigerator is provided, be sure to clean the inside thoroughly with food-safe disinfectant. You can use baking soda to absorb odours. The outside should also be wiped down with special care paid to fan vents. The same goes for microwaves. Chances are you have to provide yourself with these appliances, but you should make sure that they are cleaned similarly before bringing them to your dorm.

The bathroom

The bathroom is going to be the biggest challenge. Use glass cleaner and paper towels to clean mirrors. You could use the same cleaner and wipe down the sink area as well. Make sure the sink is not clogged or you may need some unclogging chemicals/and or a sink snake. You could also notify the school and have them fix the problem.

The floor may take some more work. You could use bleach and a mop if you feel that the floor is dirty enough to justify bleach's heavy duty scent and corrosiveness . Always be sure to avoid contact with clothes and skin when using bleach. The shower floor can also get the mop and bleach treatment, long as you notify the people who will share the area with you. Bleaching means the area will be off limits for the better part of the day, so let everyone know when you're doing it. This is another reason why it is best to do this before you move in.

The toilet should be cleaned using a toilet brush and toilet cleaner. Wipe down the exterior with some powerful bathroom cleaner or even bleach. You may want to put some tabs in the toilet tank to have it self clean for the whole semester.

Set up Scrubbing Bubbles or a similar automatic shower cleaner in the shower. Everyone in the shared shower area should be able and willing to press a button as they leave the shower to maintain shower cleanliness throughout the semester.

Once the pre-move cleaning is done, it should be easier to set up your furniture. Choosing which cleaning supplies to keep with you in the dorm for maintenance is a tough decision since space is limited. You should decide with your roommates who is going to provide what cleaning supplies since you need one of each kind for the shared living area. Just make sure that the school allows all the cleaning supplies that you plan on using.

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on August 21, 2014

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