5 Tips to Make Cleaning Easier for Students
Keeping your flat or other shared accommodation clean can feel like an ongoing headache. Not only do you have your own messes to deal with, but you also need to factor in your flatmates–and your cleaning strategies may not look the same as theirs. How can you make cleaning easy? Try some of these great tips.
1. Create a Schedule
When you first move in with your flatmates–or when you discover that cleaning chores are a problem–sit down and create a cleaning schedule. Discuss which chores each of you actually enjoy (it may surprise you that one of your friends doesn’t mind taking the rubbish out, while another actually enjoys vacuuming) and which chores you each hate. Assign each person the chores that they enjoy doing more. Undesirable chores that no one enjoys can rotate week to week so that everyone takes a turn.
2. Know How to Get Rid of Stains
When you move out on your own for the first time, you may have no idea how to get rid of several common stains. From ink (which can be removed with methylated spirits) to vomit (bicarbonate of soda can help remove both the stain and the smell), stains can leave your flat looking (and smelling) messy. Keep vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, and basic cleaning supplies on hand at all times to make it easier to clean stains up when they first occur.
3. Take Care of Small Tasks Immediately
Cleaning can quickly become a big chore if it’s left too long. On the other hand, if you clean as you go, you’ll find that it’s much easier to take care of basic cleaning responsibilities. Do the dishes as you use them, especially if you don’t have a dishwasher. Wipe up any stains and spills immediately, even if it seems easier to simply walk away from the mess and deal with it later. Get in the habit of wiping down the shower each time you use it to help prevent mould, mildew, and fungus from growing. These simple steps can save a lot of headaches later. Keep up with these tasks even during difficult periods like finals week: a few minutes here and there now will mean that you can relax when finals week is over, rather than feeling like you’ve got a massive mess to deal with.
4. Break Big Tasks into Small Ones
Diving into ‘clean the kitchen’ feels like a daunting task. Wiping down the fridge or the cabinets, on the other hand, doesn’t seem nearly as difficult. When you’re ready to tackle cleaning tasks, break them down into smaller pieces. You’ll find that it’s much easier to get through them.
5. Ask for Help
A quick call home will probably answer any questions you have about how to handle cleaning around the flat–but that might not be enough to keep things neat and tidy when you’re struggling to keep up with your mess and your flatmates’ at the same time. If cleaning tasks start to get out of control or you feel as though it’s never getting done, bring in help! Hiring a professional cleaning service can take a lot of stress off your plate and allow you to focus on your studies, your job, and your friends.
One of the easiest ways to keep your shared accommodation clean is to bring in a cleaning service. With the cost shared between all of you, it’s easy to afford, and you’ll know that your strategies for keeping your accommodation clean have lined up effectively. Want to learn more? Fill out our free quote form to learn just how inexpensive it can be to bring in a professional cleaning service–or contact us today.
