Keeping a dorm clean is simpler than you may think. Here are the dorm cleaning supplies you’ll need to keep your living space neat.
Keeping your new dorm clean will help make your dorm stay organized. A clean dorm room makes studying and relaxing after a test easier. I personally forgot to pack any cleaning supplies for my dorm room my freshman year…now that I look back, I don’t know why… Anyway, cleaning supplies are some dorm room essentials that you need to bring on Move-In Day. You will likely also want to clean your dorm before really settling in and unpacking.
Here are the dorm cleaning supplies you must add to your dorm room packing list.
12 Dorm Cleaning Supplies Freshmen Need
1. Swiffer Mop
So, one of the first dorm cleaning supplies you’ll need is a Swiffer mop. I lived by this product my whole time as a freshman. I recommend getting the starter kit. I used it probably weekly or bi-weekly to mop/sweep my floor, depending on how it looked. It is small enough to fit anywhere in your dorm.
- Starter Kit includes 1 Sweeper, 14 Dry Sweeping Cloths, 5 Wet Mopping Cloths
2. Disinfectant Wipes
Dorm rooms are known to have tons of germs. I had a container of disinfectant wipes in my room and wiped down my desks and tables once a week.
- CLEANING SUPPLIES: Keep your space disinfected with Lysol Disinfectant Wipes, a top choice for those searching for household essentials & cleaning supplies. Whether you’re stocking up for your dorm, apartment, or classroom, these wipes are essential.
3. Hand Sanitizer
Similar to disinfectant wipes, I had a bottle of hand sanitizer on an end table in my dorm room. I feel like now, after 2020, it’s even more common to hand a bottle of hand sanitizer around compared to before.
4. Trash Bags & Trash Can
You’ll need to have trash bags in your dorm. We had large trash bags and smaller ones. I personally used grocery bags for my smaller trash can underneath my desk after a while. I recommend having larger trash bags for sure. You’ll likely have a trash room or area where you can take it to dispose of it.
5. Mini-Vacuum
You won’t have enough space for a regular-sized vacuum, but a mini vacuum should be small enough for your dorm room. It’ll be a great tool to have around in case you spill crumbs in your bed.
6. Broom and Dustpan
One of the main dorm cleaning supplies I think you definitely need is a broom and dustpan. You’ll likely use it the most out of your cleaning supplies. I recommend having a small, thin one that you can store easily and a dustpan that goes along with it.
- 40.5″- 52″ long handle broom suitable for different people use without strenuous bending.
7. All-Purpose Spray
All-Purpose Spray is a dorm cleaning supply you need. You can use to clean on different surfaces.
8. Air Freshener
Dorm rooms just smell. The fact that I can remember how mine smelled years ago isn’t okay. Have a few spray bottles, but I also recommend getting a solid air freshener. They work better in the long run, in my opinion, versus constantly spraying.
- Fights air odors without masking, leaving nothing behind but a light, fresh scent
9. Paper Towels
Have a roll or two of paper towels in your room. You’ll need this for spills and for snacks!
10. Cleaning Rag & Sponges
A dorm cleaning supply that I truly underestimated was a cleaning rag. I bought towels that were meant for my dorm bathroom, and used one of those good ones as a cleaning rag randomly one day. I don’t recommend it since its color got ruined by the bleach and chemicals that I used to wipe things up.
Another dorm cleaning supply I didn’t bring or buy until later on was a sponge. I figured since I didn’t have a kitchen, I didn’t need to have a sponge. WRONG. A sponge will be useful for scrubbing floors and bathroom tiles whenever you clean them.
Related: 29 Unexpected Things To Bring To College | What You Can’t Forget When Packing
11. Shower Cleaner
This may be a little optional, depending on whether your dorm has custodians, and even then, they might not come as often as you need to. You’ll want to buy a bottle of shower cleaner to make sure your shower doesn’t get too dirty, especially if you are living in a suite or sharing it and it is getting used a lot.
- BATHROOM SPRAY: Add the power of Lysol to your bathroom cleaning supplies with our Power Bathroom Foamer; eliminates soap scum, limescale and everyday dirt and grime with no scrubbing; leaves your bathroom clean, brighter, and smelling Atlantic Fresh
Related: 17 Important Dorm Bathroom Essentials You Can’t Forget To Bring
12. Kleenex
The final dorm cleaning supply you need are a box of Kleenex and a small package of Kleenex that you can carry around in your backpack. It’s just nice to have Kleenex in your room.
Dorm Cleaning Tips
1. Don’t be lazy. Take time in between studying to pick up your trash or organize something. It’ll make clean-up day easier.
2. Take out any food from your dorm ASAP. Don’t let food sit in your trash can because you will notice the scent. Trust me, I learned. Getting that pizza scent out of my room took forever.
3. Remove your shoes once you walk into your dorm room. It’ll prevent more dirt from coming into your dorm room.
4. Avoid getting into your bed after sweating all day, especially if you have white sheets.
5. Wash your clothes during the weekdays. Avoid Saturday or Friday when people are likely to wash clothes. ESPECIALLY ON SUNDAY. It’s crowded, and some people will take your clothes out of the dryer just because they can.
6. Clean your toilet every week. Even if your dorm has custodians who come, make sure to keep your toilet clean.
7. If your dorm has a trash shoot or a trash room, be considerate of others. If the trash is full, maybe wait and don’t allow trash to pile up.
8. If your dorm allows Command Strips, then be careful. I ripped one off after my roommate moved out, and it left…a mark after I pulled it…and I had to pay $50 the summer after. When moving out, pull on them carefully because you may break the wall.
Final FAQ:
Q: How often should you mop your dorm?
A: Every week or two. It honestly depends on whether you take your shoes off or not, honestly.
Q: Are Swiffer mops good for dorms?
A: YES! A Swiffer mop is perfect for dorm rooms! I used mine bi-weekly in my dorm room on cleaning days.
Q: Do janitors clean dorm bathrooms?
A: It depends. I remember that my dorm building’s custodian would come in each week to clean our dorm room. I honestly don’t know if other colleges do that, but I’d recommend asking your RA or the dorm room building’s advisor or supervisor.
If you liked this blog post, check out other dorm room-related content for your big move-in day:
- The Ultimate College Clothes Packing List | What Clothes To Bring To College
- The Best Realistic Printable Dorm Room Checklist For 2022 | (Free PDF)
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