7 back-to-school cleaning tips for students

Student dorm room with bed and storage (Image credit: Getty Images)

As students prepare for university life, packing the right cleaning supplies often takes a back seat to selecting the best student computer, or browsing the best back to school styles. However, maintaining a clean living space is crucial for health, productivity, and overall well-being in cramped dorm rooms or shared flats.

While some students might be eager to explore AI tools to boost learning and productivity to support their time at university, they shouldn't overlook the basics of cleanliness. A tidy environment can significantly contribute to academic success and mental clarity.

This guide outlines seven essential cleaning tips that will help students keep their new living spaces hygienic and comfortable — making the transition to university life smoother. From all-purpose cleaners to laundry solutions, these products are compact, efficient, and perfect for student accommodation.

1. All-purpose cleaner

A spray bottle and sponge held in rubber gloves

As a student, an all-purpose cleaner is an essential item in your cleaning toolkit. When selecting one, you have two main options to consider. If you enjoy a fresh scent while cleaning, choose a fragranced cleaner to give your room a pleasant aroma.

Alternatively, if you prefer a neutral smell or have sensitivities to fragrances, opt for a fragrance-free version. Look for spray bottles (or wipes) that can tackle surfaces from desks to doorknobs.

2. Disinfectant wipes

Disinfectant wipes are great for wiping down shared surfaces frequently to reduce the risk of illness in close-quarter living. Keep a pack handy for daily use on high-touch areas like light switches, keyboards, and shared bathroom surfaces.

These wipes are also great for quick cleanups before impromptu study groups or visits from new friends.

3. Hand soap

Opt for a moisturizing formula to encourage frequent hand washing without drying out skin. Choose a pump bottle for easy access, and consider a refillable option to reduce plastic waste.

Regular hand washing is one of the best defenses against the spread of germs in communal living spaces.

4. Laundry detergent pods

Woman connecting app to smart washing machine

Pods make laundry simpler for busy students and prevent overuse of detergent. They're compact, mess-free, and perfect for shared laundry facilities.

Look for gentle, all-temperature formulas suitable for various fabric types to handle everything from gym clothes to delicate sweaters.

5. Dish soap

A bottle of concentrated dish soap helps keep shared kitchen areas and personal dishes clean. Choose a grease-cutting formula that works well in both hot and cold water. This will come in handy for everything from washing coffee mugs to cleaning reusable water bottles.

6. Toilet paper

Pack a few rolls to ensure comfort upon arrival, as some accommodations may not provide this initially. Also, consider buying in bulk with roommates to save money and storage space.

7. Microfiber cloths

Microfiber cloths are versatile, washable, and highly effective for cleaning various surfaces. They're excellent for dusting, wiping down surfaces, and even cleaning electronic devices.

Unlike paper towels, these cloths are reusable, making them a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective choice for students. After use, simply wash them with your regular laundry and they're ready to use again, reducing waste and saving money in the long run.

For more advanced cleaning and maintenance tips, check out how to remove limescale from your shower glass for a streak-free shine. Keep your tech in top shape by learning how to remove scratches on your iPhone screen. And to make studying easier, explore how to use ChatGPT to analyze PDFs for free.

Kaycee is Tom's Guide's How-To Editor, known for tutorials that get straight to what works. She writes across phones, homes, TVs and everything in between — because life doesn't stick to categories and neither should good advice. She's spent years in content creation doing one thing really well: making complicated things click. Kaycee is also an award-winning poet and co-editor at Fox and Star Books.