Spring cleaning hacks for students
Spring is upon us. Whether people are focused on going through their closet, doing a deep clean around their house or just tidying up, now is the perfect time for spring cleaning.
“Don’t try to do everything at once. Instead, keep a habit of cleaning your apartment at least once a week,” said Kena Jacobson, a Utah State University on-campus resident. “Then for spring cleaning, you can do extra things like wiping down the walls and throwing away unused items.”
“The easiest way to get into cleaning is having a good playlist. Music makes the process much easier,” first-year student Lexie Hales said.
Cleaning with other people is also a great way to keep focused and make it more enjoyable. Whether it’s chatting with friends or listening to music, but having a “cleaning party” helps the time fly by.
“The main struggle I see is when students don’t clean regularly. It’s much easier to clean in small increments. Try and get in the habit of picking up nightly and wiping things down weekly,” Jacobson said.
When beginning spring cleaning, many people tend to set aside a certain amount of time so that when they get into the cleaning mode, they don’t have to take breaks to complete other tasks.
“I like to clean by myself in a messy, cute outfit, typically shorts and a really baggy sweatshirt, while I listen to music,” first-year student Jenna Ward said.
When starting with a closet cleanout, it’s important to go through winter clothing, looking at what is either too old or just simply wasn’t worn. Making a keep, donation and selling piles will help when sorting through items. Those can be put away in storage — or on a closet shelf or under a bed — and the warmer weather clothing can replace those items within the closet and drawers. While putting them in their new home for the next few months, this is also a good time to remove anything that you are unsure about.
After cleaning out the closet and taking care of the donate and sell piles, people can move onto their desk. Cleaning one part of a room at a time and then moving to the next helps break up the burden of cleaning.
“I typically go room by room, starting with what I like to do best and ending with my least favorite,” Ward said.
Going through desk drawers and getting rid of anything not serving a purpose or being used can free up a lot of useful space. Using small bins is a great way to help things stay in their spot and overall stay organized.
“Also move furniture, you’d be amazed how many things can fall behind a desk or dresser,” Hales said.
Appliances are often skipped over space when cleaning. Throwing away the piles of old or expired items along with wiping down all surfaces is key. Microwaves are also overlooked when cleaning, but simply using a disinfectant wipe will improve the look, smell and efficiency.
“If you have roommates, it’s always a good idea to have a chore chart so that you can be sure that everything gets cleaned on a regular basis,” Jacobson said.
She also recommends implementing a two-minute rule: if you see something that can be cleaned in less than two minutes (clothes on the floor, something spilled on the counter, etc.) clean it up the second you see it.
Once the deep cleaning aspect is started, wiping down all surfaces with disinfectant, cleaning mirrors and windows and vacuuming or sweeping the floor makes all the difference.
“I spring clean by switching out my clothes in my closet. It’s a good way to start cleaning because it’s a new season,” sophomore Alyssa Mildenhall said. “It’s nice being able to go into the summer with a nicely organized closet with clothes you will actually be wearing.”
As people are preparing for spring and summer, giving their space a deep clean is a great way to start the new season.