It’s easy for your room to become a mess while at school. Try to avoid the clutter with these college dorm hacks that will help you keep your room tidy.
1. Make your bed as soon as you wake up
Making your bed each morning may seem like an obvious tip, but making your bed as soon as you wake up can give you a sense of accomplishment that continues with tasks throughout your day. It’s been shown that an organized environment can positively impact our mental state. If you’re still not convinced it’s been found that bed makers are more likely to like their jobs, own a home, exercise regularly, and feel well rested. It only takes us thirty seconds, and makes a great start to the day!
2. Do dishes as soon as you’re finished with them
No one likes having to wash dried food off the bottom of a bowl. Leaving dishes laying around costs us more time in the long run, time you’re probably going to need as a student. If you’re still thinking “well that’s all good but I hate dishes, I’m still going to put them off” consider this: research has found that washing dishes can significantly lower your stress levels – if you do it mindfully. We’re learning more and more the benefits of mindfulness, you’ve gotta do the dishes anyways so give it a try.
3. Have a spot for everything
Having a spot for everything stops us from leaving the objects we use everyday lying around like jackets, wallets, book bags, books, shoes, glasses, clothes, dishes, etc.
4. Strategically place bins & laundry baskets
This may seem like an obvious one but we’ve all had 10 minutes to get ready, picked the 6th top we try on, and leave the other 5 on the bed. Having your laundry basket right beside your closet comes in handy when your pressed for time just lay the clothes you didn’t wear on the basket and put them away when you have time. This also stops you from leaving pj’s on the ground in the morning since you’re basket is right beside your closet.
5. Use the sun!
When it’s not too cold open a window and air out your room, it will keep things fresh! Sunlight is a natura disinfectant, so when it’s sunny outside use it! Hanging rugs and bedding out the window in the sun for an hour would keep you’re room that much more fresh.
6. Dump old food as soon as you know you’re not going to eat it
If you have a mini fridge or used a shared fridge try and throw out food as soon as you know you’re not going to eat it. This will stop you from forgetting about it, or leaving it to go bad. Keep your fridge fresh!
7. Febreeze it!
Sometimes you don’t identify the nasty smell from your fridge until it’s too late. Having an air freshener spray can be a life saver, it’s always a good idea to have some on hand.
8. Listen to music while you clean
Listening to music has been found in some studies to help improve the efficiency of performing a repetitive task like cleaning. It’s hypothesized by one researcher that the effect of music on work performance may be due to music making the person feel in a positive mood. You could also try a podcast or ebook. Right now I’m listening to Bossypants by Tina Fey for my spring cleaning.
9. Tidy up before you sleep
Take some time to put things away before you head to bed. Try listening to relaxing music while you tidy up right before bed to wind down. You’ll wake up to a tidy room with no cleaning to do.
10. Purge often
It’s always good to de-clutter your life, but you can also donate clothes, books, and old jewelry for an increased sense of accomplishment. Physical clutter overloads your senses making you feel stressed and overwhelmed.
11. Have a friend come over to keep you motivated
If you’re still feeling unmotivated to get your spring cleaning done and over with have a friend come over and keep you on task. Make sure they know why you’ve asked them to come over so they can motivate you to finish rather than just distract you.
