This past Monday was the first day of Spring. Maybe it’s the placebo effect, but I can already feel a shift in the air. As the sunshine and breeze drift through my college campus, I notice more students laughing, studying and walking outside. Everyone seems to be in a better mood.
A typical spring tradition is “Spring Cleaning:” thoroughly cleaning one’s living space to remove the baggage of winter and allow for the new season to flow through our lives. Even in a small space such as a college dorm room, it is important to prioritize maintaining a clean, organized space. Below are my top tips for spring cleaning in your college living space.
change your sheets
This is your sign to change your bedsheets. Since childhood, my mom continually urged me to wash my sheets every single week as a part of our cleaning routine. Luckily, this is a habit that has stuck with me. If you have not washed your sheets in a while, put them through the washer and dryer with similar colors and materials. Fresh sheets make a world of difference in my opinion.
get rid of the old
There is no better time than spring to get rid of the old and make room for the new. Go through old clothes and belongings and assess what no longer serves you. If there is anything that can be donated, start a donation bin for your local church or charity. This will save you space to make room for new spring clothing while simultaneously giving back to your community.
vacuum and dust
No one wants to hear this, but it is necessary. Throughout the winter, it’s likely that your dorm or apartment accumulated dust and dry air. Make your parents proud — whip out your vacuum and duster. While it may feel tedious, these essential actions are part of a solid cleaning routine. Pro tip: dust before you vacuum so any particles that you move when dusting can be removed by your vacuum. Crack open your windows while you do this to get the air circulating.
disinfect!
College campuses are notorious for contamination. Grab some disinfectant spray or wipes and clean off all of your major surfaces- desks, dressers, mirrors, doorknobs, light switches, etc. You’d be surprised at how many germs are on our everyday surfaces.
find your fragrance
The perfect finishing touch for a spring cleaning is a good scent. My roommate and I bought a fragrance plug-in for our dorm room at the beginning of the semester. Everyone who steps foot in our room exclaims how much they love the scent. Since most colleges prohibit candles and open flames, it takes some creativity to make your room smell good at all times. I recommend scent plug-ins, essential oil diffusers, sachet bags and cone air fresheners.