A fresh start
The start of a new academic year can be a wonderful and exciting experience, that bring its own unique challenges.
Living in student accommodation comes with its own set of responsibilities, and one of the most important ones is keeping your living space clean. Whether you’re a first-year adjusting to life away from home or a seasoned student navigating the challenges of shared living spaces, maintaining a clean and organised environment is essential for your well-being and success.
In this article, we’ll explore 5 top tips to make your accommodation sparkling clean and comfortable. From creating a cleaning schedule to tackling specific areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms, we’ve got you covered!
1) Create a (realistic) cleaning schedule
Creating a cleaning schedule it’s a great way to make sure that cleaning tasks are not forgotten. It also helps distribute cleaning responsibilities among roommates making sure everyone contributes and cooperate. However, the cleaning schedule needs to be manageable and realistic, otherwise will be soon neglected among busy student life.
Start by identifying areas that require regular cleaning, such as the kitchen, bathroom and common areas.
Determine how often each task needs to be done. Here are some of our suggestions:
- Daily tasks: These include basic chores like washing dishes, wiping countertops, and tidying up common areas.
- Weekly tasks: Dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors, cleaning the bathroom, and changing bed linens.
- Monthly tasks: cleaning windows and organising storage space can be tackled once a month.
Choose a time when you’re less likely to be busy with classes or social activities to do your cleaning.
Flexibility is key. Life as a student can be unpredictable, so be prepared to adjust your cleaning schedule as needed. And remember: a little bit every day helps keep things clean most of the time!
2) Choose your cleaning tools
Now that you’ve got your cleaning schedule sorted, it’s time to make sure you have all the necessary products to tackle the job effectively.
How to choose the right cleaning tools
All cleaning products are the same right? Not quite! Choosing the right cleaning products can help you make your student accommodation fresh and clean while saving you time for other activities! Here some advice on what to consider when choosing cleaning tools
- Effectiveness and Efficiency: there are some clever products on the market today, that will help you clean your space effectively and efficiently- see for example our washing up handle here
- Availability of refills: some cleaning brands offer refills multi packs; on the long term, it may be more convenient (and less expensive) for example, to buy refills instead of buying a new brush each time!
- Ask your family members for advice: It’s more than likely your parents or grandparents have tried a number of cleaning products, sponges and cloth throughout their life; you can always ask to tell you their favourite cleaning products!
Here a list of essential items you need:
Tools:
- Washing up handle : your best ally to tackle dirty dishes and cups, our Dishmatic washing up handle it’s practical and reliable. The handle can be filled with washing up liquid, so it gets dispensed directly through the replaceable sponge head.
- Microfiber cloths: These are great for dusting, wiping down surfaces, and polishing without leaving streaks or lint behind. They can also come as Microfibre Cloth Rolls
- Multipurpose brush or sponge: Handy for tackling tough stains and grime in the kitchen and bathroom. Try Dishmatic wonder scrub , you will thank us later!
- Broom, Mop and bucket: Ideal for cleaning hard floors such as tile, laminate, or vinyl.
- Bin bags: For disposing of waste and keeping your living spaces tidy.
- Gloves: Protect your hands from harsh chemicals and germs while cleaning.
Detergents:
- All-purpose cleaner: A versatile cleaner that can be used on various surfaces such as countertops, tables, and bathroom fixtures.
- Toilet cleaner: Essential for keeping the toilet clean and hygienic.
- Disinfectant spray: Essential for killing germs and bacteria on high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls.
- Floor detergent: dirty or wet floors can be slippery and increase the risk of slips and falls. To clean your floors effectively, and extend the time between each mopping, it’s important that you mop with a combination of water and the appropriate cleaning detergent for the floor type.
3) Kitchen cleaning tips
Kitchens have a terrible habit of getting messy just as quickly as you can clean them. The best way to keep your space spick and span is to build small cleaning habits into your daily routine. Here are some kitchen cleaning tips to help you maintaining a hygienic environment
- Clean as you cook: one of the best ways to prevent mess in the kitchen is to clean as you cook. Wash utensils, pots, and pans as you use them to minimise the amount of cleaning required after the meal.
- Wash dishes promptly: Avoid letting dirty dishes pile up in the sink. This prevents food from drying onto dishes, making them more difficult to clean later. Wash them using hot, soapy water and a sponge or a washing up handle
- Empty the bins regularly: Keep a lid on your kitchen bin and empty it regularly to prevent bad smell
- Sweep and mop floors: clean the kitchen floor regularly to remove crumbs and debris, and mop it to keep it clean and hygienic.
4) Bathroom cleaning tips
The bathroom is one of the most frequently used areas in any student accommodation and keeping it clean and hygienic is essential to prevent the growth of bacteria. Here are some bathroom cleaning tips to help you keep this important space fresh and inviting:
- Clean Surfaces Regularly: Wipe down bathroom surfaces regularly with disinfectant cleaner or a mixture of water and vinegar. Wipe them dry with a clean cloth.
- Scrub the Toilet: Use a toilet brush and toilet bowl cleaner to scrub the inside of the toilet bowl, including under the rim and around the edges, and flush the toilet to rinse away any cleaning residue.
- Clean the Shower or Bath: Use a multipurpose brush or sponge to remove soap scum and grime from the shower or bathtub. Rinse thoroughly with water after cleaning to remove any residue and prevent slippery surfaces.
- Replace Bathroom Supplies: Keep stock of bathroom supplies such as toilet paper, hand soap, and towels and replace them as needed.
- Ventilate the Bathroom: Proper ventilation is important to preventing moisture buildup and mould. Use the fan if you have one or open a window during and after showering to allow steam to escape.
5) Bedroom and Common Areas
While the kitchen and bathroom may be the most obvious areas for cleaning, it’s important not to overlook your bedroom and common areas. Maintaining the space clean and organised can really help to create a sense of comfort and wellbeing
- Make Your Bed Daily: Start your day off right by making your bed each morning. This simple task not only makes your bedroom look more inviting, but it also sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.
- Declutter Regularly: Tackle the clutter by removing items from desks, dressers, and bedside tables. Throw or recycle items you no longer need to free up space and create a more organised space.
- Wipe Down Electronics: Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down electronic devices such as laptops, TVs, and game consoles to remove dust and fingerprints. Keeping electronics clean not only improves their appearance but also helps maintain their functionality.
- Organise your stuff: put back your belongings such as books, clothes, and personal items in designated storage spaces. You can for example get some additional storage bins and shelves that will also make the place look more like yourself.
- Sweep Floors: Vacuum or sweep the floors in your bedroom and common areas. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas and underneath furniture where dust tends to accumulate.
6)”All for one and one for all”
Establishing clear cleaning responsibilities and working together with your flatmates to maintain cleanliness in common areas , can teach valuable lessons and the bases to succeed in your student life. If you can’t stand the thought of scrubbing the bathroom, but you enjoy doing dishes, you might be able to negotiate a deal. For deep cleaning, I’ve found it’s more manageable (and fun) when you set aside a day to tackle the big jobs together.
From studying and socialising to relaxing and unwinding after a busy day, living in a clean environment not only promotes focus and attention but also contributes to reduce level of anxiety and improve the overall personal well-being.
So grab that sponge and give it a go!
Would you like to be the lucky winner of a kitchen kit
worth over £200 to get you started at university📚?
Then enter our competition today
