You Made It to College, Now You Have to Clean It

You did it. You moved in, decorated your dorm, and made it your own. Now comes the not so glamorous part: keeping it that way. The start of freshman year is all about adjusting to independence — which includes the shocking realization that no one’s doing your laundry, stocking your fridge, or scrubbing the bathroom anymore. Suddenly, you miss the way your mom tucked in your sheets and somehow made “hospital corners” look effortless. But here’s the truth: cleaning and organization are some of the first real adult skills you’ll learn. When your space is clean, you think better, sleep better, and stress less. The trick is to not let it overwhelm you. So here’s a simple system: think of your chores like different types of friends. Some you see every day, some once a week, and some just every now and then. They all matter.

Daily Tasks: Your Ride-or-Die Friends

The ones you hang out with every day, low-maintenance, dependable, and they make your life easier.

Morning Routine — Before You Head Out

Make your bed. If it takes up half your room, making it basically cleans half your room.
Do your dishes as you go. Don’t let cute mugs turn into science experiments.

Before Bed — Five Minutes of Peace

Hang up your clothes. Dirty clothes → hamper. Jackets and jeans → back on hangers.
Five-minute rule. Spend five minutes tidying up: refill the Brita, wipe down the desk, rinse your coffee maker.
You’ll thank yourself tomorrow.

Weekly Tasks: Your Core Friend Group

You don’t see them daily, but every catch-up makes life better.

Bathroom Reset. Wipe counters, clean the mirror, scrub the toilet, and swap out towels.
Laundry Day. Wash the week off — yes, even your gym clothes.
Floor Time. Sweep or vacuum. It’s quick and instantly refreshing.
Change Your Sheets. Just… trust us. Always have an extra set for easy swaps.
Take Out the Trash. Even if it’s not overflowing. Your future self (and your roommate) will be grateful.
Fridge Check. Toss expired food, move anything close to expiring to the front, and make a quick grocery list.

Pick a “reset day” that fits your schedule — Sundays are classic, but mid-week means shorter lines at the laundry room and grocery store.

Periodic Tasks: The Friends You Forget You Love

You don’t see them often, but when you do, everything feels refreshed again.

Deep-Clean the Bathroom. Scrub the shower and floors, wash the shower curtain, replace the liner, and clean your caddy.
Check Expiration Dates. Skincare, makeup, food, spices, cleaning products — yes, they all expire.
Rotate Your Wardrobe. Store off-season clothes under the bed or in bins to free up space.
Hit the Hidden Spots. Behind furniture, under the bed, windowsills — all the places dust loves to hide.

Set a monthly or bi-monthly reminder so you don’t forget these sneaky tasks.

And There You Have It

You’ve got your priorities in order, reminders set, and laundry day locked in. Keeping a clean dorm doesn’t mean becoming a neat freak — it just means taking care of yourself. A clean space = a clear head.