How to spring clean your dorm

The weather is changing and the term is coming to a close. As finals approach, it can be difficult to find the motivation for those last few papers and exams that are coming your way. Take a day off, therefore, and do a deep clean. Spring cleaning is a good way to reset your mind and your space before you hunker down to study. As an added bonus, it will make packing at the end of the term that much easier if you’ve already done a preliminary sort and soap.

Here is an easy step-by-step list on how to deep clean a dorm room. Recruit your roommates, turn on some tunes, and get ready for a serious refresh!

1. Fresh Air 

The first step is airflow. Prep your space by opening all your windows and doors. It’s crazy how stuffy our spaces can become, especially a tiny dorm room! Opening the doors and windows will help to recycle the old air, and let in some spring and sunshine.

2. Dust!

It’s amazing how dusting is usually the last thing I think about, but it makes such a difference in your space. Make sure to reach the high things first before moving lower. Get your fan blades, the tops of your cabinets, your picture frames and lamps. Starting with the top will ensure that all the dust ends up on the floor, and not just back where it was. While you’re at it, give all your mirrors and glass a good clean; they hold onto dust too, and as a bonus your make-up routine will go much smoother with a clear reflection.

3. Refresh your sleep

Step three, the bed. Sleep is vital to the life of a college student. Often sporadic, it’s important that when your head does finally hit the pillow, you can fall asleep easily and well. So strip everything off your bed: blankets, duvet, sheets, pillows, mattress cover, mattress pad, EVERYTHING. Do a big load of laundry with everything that can be washed, blankets and stuffies too! While the load is going, flip your mattress around to give those tired springs a new direction. When you remake your bed, fluff up those pillows, arrange your stuffed animal friends, and tuck those sheets in tight — a fresh nest for sleeping goes a long way towards giving you a fresh spring start.

4. Closet 

Alright ladies, it’s closet time. The weather is warming up, time to move those winter coats to the storage bins and pull out your cute shorts. Take everything out, wash and sort it. Is there anything you could donate or give away to an eager roommate? Any shirts or other worn layers that need to be tossed? Then, give the insides of your storage a good wipe down. Drawers and closets collect dust and dirt — make sure your clean clothes have a nice clean space too!

5. Desk and school

Next, time to tackle that desk. We want to ensure that everything gets a facelift, study space included. My desk is usually a dump zone for anything and everything; throw away what can be tossed and save what needs to be saved. Recycle what you don’t need, return those old library books, and organize that junk drawer. Don’t forget to wipe these drawers down too! Next, wipe down your desk. We college students do everything at our desks: paper writing, late night ramen, and the perfect manicure. Get all that gunk off and start fresh for finals.

6. Kitchen and food

Time to tackle your little kitchen space: the fridge and microwave. Throw out all the old food, and wipe down the inside of both appliances. Maybe make a grocery list and stock up on your favorite midnight snacks and study boosters. Clean your dishes, and wipe down your coffee machine! Food is just as important as sleep. Take a minute to make sure that the food you eat, and the surfaces you eat off of, will be clean and healthy.

7. Bathroom

Different colleges and dorms do bathrooms differently. If you have your own bathroom, go top to bottom again, throw those towels in the wash with some vinegar to refresh them, and scrub that shower. Is your shower curtain washable? Throw that in the wash as well! (I always feel very grown-up when I wash my shower curtain). Don’t forget the sink, toilet, and the floor! If you have a shared bathroom, give your shower caddy a nice scrub down. Get out all the crusty soap build up and wash down your bottles. Maybe replace your loofah and toothbrush, and finally clean those make-up brushes and sponges. Running low on anything? Make a list for your next Walmart run!

8. Floors last

We’re almost done, you’re doing great! It’s time to get those floors clear. All the dust you’ve shaken out of sheets and knocked from your fan blades is now on the floor. Time to sweep, vacuum, mop, swiffer — now is the time for whatever implement of cleaning your mom insisted you needed when you moved in. Get the corners, the crevices, under your desk, and under your bed. You want to feel totally and completely reset, and now is not the time to pretend that you can’t move that bin to sweep under it. Move things, shove things, get that floor clean! Finally, take out the trash (of every single trashcan!), clean the inside of your cans, and put in fresh liners.

9. Final Touches

It’s the little details in life that make all the difference. Disinfect all the door handles and light switches — and then take a minute. You have a clean space, clean sheets, clean clothes… now it’s time to set the ambiance. Maybe light a candle. Buy a bouquet of fresh flowers for your desk. Mist a little scented room spray. Maybe make yourself a nice glass of water with a lime wedge in it. Whatever you do, breathe deep, high-five your roomies, and give yourself a moment to simply enjoy your clean dorm!