Although you’ll definitely need to purchase cleaning supplies to bring to college, you might not necessarily want to buy them before traveling to your new town. Space will likely already be at a premium in your luggage, particularly if you’re flying instead of driving. Before your moving day, spend some time researching the on-campus shops and stores near campus to find out what your options are for purchasing cleaning supplies after you arrive. There are several cleaning supplies available to purchase at the Herd Stop, for example.
When you’re ready to go shopping for your dorm room, consider adding the following items to your list.
This is something that everyone needs, no matter the type of accommodations. All-purpose cleaner does exactly what its name suggests: it can clean almost anything. You may use it on nearly any surface, including your desk, dresser, bathroom and kitchen counters.
Try to select a cleaner that doesn’t have an overwhelming fragrance. A dorm room is usually a fairly small space, which means that cleaning product fragrances can linger in the air for a while.
These aren’t necessarily a must-have item, but they can come in handy. You can use them to sanitize your doorknobs, computer mouse and other small items. You might even be able to sterilize your phone with a disinfecting wipe, but check with your phone’s manufacturer first to be sure it’s safe.
You probably need sponges and scrub brushes if you’ll be in an apartment-style dorm room, in which you’ll have access to a bathroom and/or kitchenette that you share with your roommates. This is the case for GCU dorm living. Plan on having separate sponges and scrub brushes for the kitchen and bathroom — you should not share these items between these two rooms due to cross contamination.
Regardless of which type of dorm room you’ll be living in, you will need a trash can and trash bags. You might also want a small trash can for your bedroom. If you have an apartment-style suite, you might also need a trash can for the bathroom and a larger one for the kitchenette as well.
When writing a list of dorm room cleaning supplies for your shopping trip, don’t forget about essential supplies for the bathroom (unless, of course, you’ll be using a communal bathroom cleaned by a school janitor). There are no communal bathrooms in GCU's housing, so here's a list of what you'll need:
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Toilet spray cleaner
- Toilet brush
- Plunger
Some college students bring dirty laundry home to launder, however, that is only applicable to students with a car and a close commute. For many, that is not the case. If home is far away and visits are few and far between, you’ll need to plan on doing plenty of laundry on campus.
Many people like using liquid detergent, but this can be too bulky and cumbersome for college students. Instead, consider using pod detergents or any other pre-measured laundry detergents. These items can also help you avoid using too much detergent per load.
Similarly, skip the big bottles of fabric softener and stain treatment. Instead, you can opt for dryer sheets and smaller stain treatment “pens.”
As previously noted, determine ahead of time how you will secure a vacuum, whether it is brought by you, a roommate or provided by the dorm. Consider a small stick vacuum which can get the job done at an affordable price.
If you’re staying in a traditional dorm room, it might be entirely carpeted. Apartment-style suites with their own bathroom and kitchenette will likely have some hard floor surfaces. In this case, you should consider purchasing a broom and dustpan or a microfiber sweeper, along with a mop.
Some people love the scent of air fresheners, others do not. Some people are also sensitive or allergic to these products. It’s always best to check with your roommates before you purchase an air freshener for your dorm room. If your roommates are agreeable to the idea, consider getting an odor neutralizer spray that does not have a fragrance.
Similarly, if you do have allergies or asthma, you may want to consider investing in an air purifier. Dorm rooms are typically small, enclosed spaces, and the air quality can suffer as a result. An air purifier can keep the air cleaner, healthier and better-smelling. For greater cost-savings, look for one with a filter that can be cleaned, rather than one with filters that require replacement.
In addition to the items listed above, there are a few miscellaneous items that may come in handy. Consider purchasing the following:
- Paper towels
- Dish towels
- Dish soap
- Hand soap for the bathroom (if applicable)
- Glass cleaner
- Lint roller (for your clothes)
