If you think you can get out of cleaning because you’re a busy college student balancing challenging classes, a bustling social life and sleep every now and then, you’re wrong.

Cleaning is not only good for the home; it’s good for your own wellbeing, too.AG

That despicable clump of clothing in the corner of your dorm room that’s just asking for some TLC isn’t just building dust, it’s a sign that there’s something in your life you’re avoiding. You’re going to have to deal with the dirt at some point, so you might as well use spring cleaning as a perfect excuse.

Consider these tips for keeping the essentials in your living space clean.

In the kitchen

Just because you live in a dorm doesn’t mean you get away with not cleaning your microwave or mini-fridge. Both will likely smell at some point, and if you care at all about your room smelling like spoiled milk, both need to be wiped down thoroughly every few weeks.

If you actually have a kitchen to take care of, you’ve got a lot more to worry about and it’s kind of a big deal. Bacteria grow in your kitchen sink, on your cutting boards, on that sponge you throw around and honestly every surface area in your kitchen.

To combat all that bacteria, enlist the help of an all-purpose cleaner. Windex Multi-surface All-purpose Cleaner can really be a bae if you let it into your life, so don’t hesitate to use it.

In the bathroom

I’ll spare you the details on the kinds of scary creatures that exist under the rim of your toilet bowl and surrounding your shower drain. No one likes to scrub the toilet, so invest in drop-in toilet cleaners for a hands-free clean.AG

Use scrubby bubbles for that shower or tub floor, and if you have a glass shower door, a squeegee is your best friend. You can even keep it in the bathroom for easy cleaning after you shower.

While we’re on the topic of showering, please don’t just wash your towels once a month. When you use the same towel for weeks at time, you’re basically negating that lovely, clean feeling you get after you wash up.

In the bedroom

When the world is crazy and you’d rather not deal with life, your bedroom should be a safe haven. To keep it clean and tidy, start with the basics: candles. Especially if your roommate is contributing some funky scents to the room, candles and wall plug-ins will help.

But don’t just rely on good smells to provide the clean. You should wash your sheets at least every two weeks. This will not only keep your room smelling nice, but it will eliminate acne and skin irritation caused by dirty sheets.AG Additionally, consider purchasing a micro-fiber rag to get rid of dust pile-ups and even a mini-vacuum for those hard-to-reach corners.

Even if you only make a few changes this spring, don’t settle for a messy life.

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