I brought a lot of things with me when I moved into my dorm (my roommate probably thought I brought too much stuff), but cleaning supplies weren't one of them. Despite the chores my parents gave me every Saturday before giving me permission to spend the weekend, cleaning wasn't a priority.
But college dorms and apartments are disgusting places (I can't believe I ate in bed) . However, most students don't have a lot of time to clean or a lot of money for a variety of expensive cleaning products. With a handful of versatile basics, you can keep the place clean enough to entertain friends on a Friday night and be equipped to deal with the consequences.
For quick cleaning
Hygiene wipes. When you're in a rush, exhausted, or lazy but still need to clean your desk and dresser, cleaning wipes are your best friends. I prefer the smell of the 7th generation wipes, but any will do; Don't be ashamed to buy whatever you find on sale. Karina Carpio, a recent college graduate and digital marketing executive at Consumer Reports, says she "loved anything that made my life easier." Clorox or Lysol multi-purpose wipes were used for cleaning.
Note: Cleaning wipes are not the best for the environment . If you can, get compostable or biodegradable wipes, like those from Method or Biom .
Method All-purpose cleaning wipes
Biom multi-purpose cleaning wipes
For dust, dirt and any other inconspicuous surface.
Microfiber cloths and multi-purpose spray. If you have a larger budget or are more eco-friendly than disposable cleaning cloths or paper towels , you'll need a stack of microfiber cloths as well as a good all-purpose spray to quickly clean your surfaces. Bonus: According to my husband, microfiber cloths are the best tool for achieving streak-free countertops. Jodhaira Rodriguez, an editor and tester at Consumer Reports who frequently reports on cleaning products, recommends Mr. Clean Clean Freak All-Purpose Cleaner, which is also our top pick for all-purpose cleaning sprays. "You can use this versatile cleaner on many surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen and bedroom. My personal favorite scent is lavender," she says. "The microfiber cloths I use are from Amazon Basics ."
Mr. Clean Clean Freak Deep Cleansing Mist
For quick work on your floors
A power mop cleaner. When it comes to cleaning non-carpet floors , there's nothing easier than a Swiffer. The brand's PowerMop sprays cleaning solution at the touch of a button, without the need for a bucket or mop. In our testing , we found it to be particularly effective at cleaning up sticky messes (a plus if one of your roommate's friends spills a drink on the floor). "You can't fit a bucket and mop in a small bedroom, so this is a good alternative," says Rodríguez. "It is easy to store, works well, and the smell of the cleaning fluid is not too strong."
Fastest electric mop
For a radiant shower
Rain-X or Method shower spray. I've stuck with my Method shower head for years because I don't like cleaning the shower at all , which increases the amount of time I have to do it. You don't even have to clean or scrape; After showering, simply spray it on the tiles and door and let it sit to prevent soap scum from forming. Sarah Bogdan, test project manager and multi-year college graduate, loves keeping her tiles clean with a shower head. "I just spray the shower and tub when I'm in the shower," he says. "You end up having to clean it, but in the meantime it helps." It smells good too.
Rain-X, which we talked about in our guide to cleaning your bathroom in 20 minutes or less, is very useful for preventing water stains. Although it is designed for car windshields, it also works for shower doors.
Daily shower spray method
Rain-X window cleaner and rain repellent
For dirt-free floors
A vacuum cleaner or a broom. Your Swiffer won't pick up everything, so you'll need a broom or vacuum to remove hair, crumbs, lint, and anything else that litters your bedroom floor. A vacuum cleaner is the obvious and probably best choice, and the Shark Navigator Professional NV360 , which ranks among our best vacuum cleaners , is, relatively speaking, a solid option at an affordable price anyway. It has attachments that you can use to clean your mattress. This is something to consider if you're using a mattress provided by your dorm (or if you bought one used).
But if a vacuum cleaner isn't in your budget, a broom will do just fine if your new apartment doesn't have carpet. Consumer Reports recommends an angled broom , which makes it easier to reach corners.
For an old and unpleasant carpet
A bottle of white vinegar. White vinegar isn't a cure-all (you don't want to put it in the washing machine , for example), but it's great for wine, juice, or soda stains on your carpet . It's cheap, easy to find, and combined with water and dish soap can work great if someone spills their Diet Coke on the carpet. Of course, this carpet has probably seen worse than Diet Coke. But some memories are better forgotten, and that's much easier with a white vinegar wash.
For easier and more sustainable purchases
A cleaning kit from Grove Collaborative or Branch Basics. Theresa McDermott, a business systems analyst at CR, plans to send her daughter to college in the fall with a starter cleaning kit from Grove Collaborative. Bedrooms serve multiple purposes: bedroom, living room, dining room and even kitchen, but "if you mix up the aesthetic you can make it look less messy," he says. Additionally, "personalization and personalization can help prevent decision fatigue."
If you're looking for an easy one-stop shop for your cleaning products, Grove Collaborative offers a kit for every need, including a laundry kit, a bath kit, and even a shower kit for everyday use. The brand aims to make cleaning more sustainable by eliminating plastic products wherever possible. You can also take out a subscription so you (or, if you're a parent, your child) never run out of cleaning supplies. Another similar option to consider is Branch Basics , which sells concentrate kits containing herbal ingredients.
