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Simple Cleaning Hacks Every University Student Should Know
It might be tough to find the energy to keep on top of cleanliness after a long day of lectures, especially without the support and handy tips of mum and dad.
However, studies show that keeping your room spotless and clutter-free can have a wide range of benefits on your mental well-being, from improving your mood to increasing your focus for an exam.
Abodus Student Living, a leading expert in providing homely student flats in Leeds, Bristol, and Newcastle, shares some quick and helpful cleaning tricks for university students to keep your halls gleaming.
The ultimate cleaning kit
First things first, you need the right cleaning gear. Think about organising a trip to the shops with your flatmates or bringing some easy-to-pack products from home – having a ready-to-use cleaning kit will help you stay ahead of the game.
Aaron Kirkwood, senior sales and marketing manager at Abodus Student Living, said: “Having the perfect cleaning tools on hand when you have a flat meal, spill drinks over the carpet, or need to change your bedsheets, can truly make a big difference. Believe us – the longer you leave your living areas dirty and untidy, the more difficult they will be to spruce up!
“All-purpose cleaners should be at the top of your list, as they can disinfect and brighten up nearly every surface around your student flat. This way you can save money, space, and time, as you won’t need to inspect each label to determine which product will do the job.
“In this respect, microfibre cloths are a handy must-have, too. They tend to come in packs of four, five, or more, and often come in different colours. This way, you can allocate the red cloth to the kitchen, the blue one to your bedroom, the green option to the bathroom, and so on.”
Washing up liquid is another essential component. At university, you’re unlikely to have a kitchen that’s fitted with a dishwasher – if you do, lucky you! For anyone else, washing up liquid will spare you from cleaning woes after a tasty fried meal or an oily curry. Don’t forget sponges, a dish rack, and a small plastic basin to help sort out plates and cutlery just like at home.
And what about the toilet? Scrubbing the porcelain is one of the most despised housekeeping tasks. So, to avoid sobbing in the bathroom, arm yourself with toilet bowl cleaners to make the dirty job easier and more hygienic.
"Ensuring your student accommodation is healthy and clean should not be a daunting, time-consuming task."
Quick cleaning tricks
The prospect of giving your student flat a good clean can be daunting. After a busy day of studying and socialising, washing the floors and tidying your living spaces might feel like a mammoth task.
But the good news is that there are plenty of handy hacks that will get your house sparkling in no time. Here are a few tricks to keep in mind:
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Clean up as you go – This may sound pretty obvious, but it’s a precious tip that will spare you a lot of pain. Whether it’s washing the dishes after a meal or clearing up any spillages, cleaning as you go will take up only a couple of minutes of your time every day. If you delay your cleaning chores, your to-do list will grow and the grime will build up, making it more difficult to sweep up in a swift fashion.
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Steam-clean your microwave with a lemon – Microwaves are a lifesaver. They cook or reheat yummy meals in the space of a few minutes. But if not kept properly, they can become smelly, filthy, and – quite simply – gross. To quickly restore your microwave, steam-clean it with a lemon. Place the sliced fruit in a bowl with water, put it inside the appliance, and turn it on for about five minutes. The citrusy steam will help remove the stains and leave a pleasant fragrance.
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Use newspapers to reduce bin smell – This is a quick, handy trick that will prevent foul smells in the kitchen. Before you start filling up your bin, make sure to put some newspaper underneath the bin bag. Why? Because the paper will soak up any moisture or leaks, and will absorb horrible smells to keep your living area nice and welcoming.
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Sprinkle baking soda over stained carpets – Removing stains and odours from carpets can be a real nightmare. However, with a handful of baking soda, you can tackle marks and smells without any hassle. Just sprinkle it over the stained area and let it sit for a few hours, giving it ample time to get rid of any moisture and bad odours. Then, simply hoover it up and you’ll be left with a fresh, shiny carpet!
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Scrub shower with an old toothbrush – Noticed any black spots, mould, or mildew between the tiles or grouts in your shower? You might find that bathroom cleaners and sponges can’t quite cut it. Instead, try using an old toothbrush and some whitening toothpaste. This should scrub it out with no real issues, solving a tricky chore in a flash.
Ensuring your student accommodation is healthy and clean should not be a daunting, time-consuming task. With a reliable cleaning kit in your locker, you will be able to keep dirt and mess at bay at all times. And with a few hacks up your sleeve, from placing newspapers under your bin bag to scrubbing showers with toothpaste and toothbrushes, you’ll get back to social activities in no time.
