How to Clean Your Room: A Complete Guide to Dorm Rooms and Apartments

How to keep your room clean

Keeping up with your living space is a good time to work smarter, not harder. If you develop daily habits such as putting away items after use or cleaning up spills in the moment, you can prevent messes from taking over. Just like coursework, fitting in little bouts of cleaning  beats cramming everything into one overwhelming session.

Prepare to clean

To create a clean routine, take a few minutes to consider your biggest cleaning challenges. It might be limited storage, shared facilities, or specific spaces that need regular attention, such as the microwave.

Make a game plan

Once you know what cleaning challenges to prioritize, you can map out a cleaning plan. Aim to follow a logical sequence that prevents you from redoing work.

For example start high and work low, dusting shelves – and scattering debris – before you clean your room’s surfaces and, at last, floors.

While you may have a full deep cleaning plan, each clean will be depending on your own energy level and available time, plus the tasks that seem most urgent. If you only have 30 minutes, you may want to focus on high-impact areas like changing your sheets, clearing your desk, and doing a quick vacuum.

Declutter the space

Before you can effectively clean, you need to see what you're working with. Start by gathering dirty clothes into the hamper, returning dishes to the kitchen, and tossing candy wrappers into the trash.

Don't get caught up in this stage – you're simply clearing surfaces so you can clean them properly.

Quick Cleaning Wins

Empty the trash

After you declutter, empty your main trash bin. Replace the trash bag immediately so you have a place to put new debris as you clean. Or, do this last, signaling you are done cleaning and ready to start fresh.

Make your bed

It’s true, a made bed will automatically make your space look cleaner. The bed takes up a lot of space in a room – especially a dorm room – so, if you have time to do just one cleaning task, make it this one.

Straighten up your space

There’s tidying, and then there’s cleaning. If you have a messy desk or pile of clean laundry, quickly and regularly organizing items will make it easier to clean once you have more time.

Cleaning different types of surfaces

Different dorm room surfaces require different cleaning approaches, supplies, and techniques. We’ve do a deep dive on the most common items and surfaces in small living spaces, as well as the recommended ways to clean them.  

Dust and wipe hard surfaces

Dust accumulates quickly in dorm rooms, especially with heating and cooling systems constantly circulating air. Regular dusting improves cleanliness and air quality, which is particularly important if you or your roommate have allergies.

Recommended cleaning products

• Clean microfiber cloths

Techniques for dusting

Gliding a microfiber cloth over surfaces is the best way to tackle most dusting tasks. The microfiber material actually traps dust particles, instead of just pushing them around. As you dust, work from top to bottom of your room, so falling dust doesn't settle on areas you've already cleaned.

You already know to clean some of the obvious spaces, such as the top of your dresser or the shelves holding your books. But be sure to pay attention to often-forgotten areas like picture frames, lamp shades, and the tops of shelved books.

For electronics like your laptop, TV, or gaming console, use a clean microfiber cloth designed for screens. Avoid using liquid cleaners directly on electronics.

Vacuum and wash hard floors, rugs, and carpets

Clean, clutter-free floors make a room look more organized and fresh. In dorm rooms where space is limited, floors tend to collect debris readily and they can be used as temporary storage areas, making regular cleaning extra important.

Vacuum floors

Picking up hair, dust, and crumbs from hard floors and carpeting requires a dependable vacuum. Some models can be used as a hand vac, too, which will allow you to clean messes on furniture, too.

Recommended cleaning products

• The lightweight Featherweight™ 3-in-1 vacuum easily moves between different floor types and around furniture in tight spaces. Its versatile design handles carpet, area rugs, and above-floor tasks like dusty shelves

Techniques for vacuuming

Start by picking up larger debris that might clog your vacuum, then move lightweight furniture so you can access the entire floor area.

When you vacuum, pay close attention to high-traffic areas like doorways and the space around your bed and desk where dirt accumulates most quickly. Make one moderate-paced pass forward and back over each section of flooring to ensure any crumbs or dust get trapped in the dirt tank.  

To get a tighter clean up along the room’s baseboards or under furniture, use the machine’s crevice tool.

Picking up hair, dust, and crumbs from hard floors and carpeting requires a dependable vacuum. Some models can be used as a hand vac, too, which will allow you to clean messes on furniture, too.

Recommended cleaning products

• The lightweight Featherweight™ 3-in-1 vacuum easily moves between different floor types and around furniture in tight spaces. Its versatile design handles carpet, area rugs, and above-floor tasks like dusty shelves

Techniques for vacuuming

Start by picking up larger debris that might clog your vacuum, then move lightweight furniture so you can access the entire floor area.

When you vacuum, pay close attention to high-traffic areas like doorways and the space around your bed and desk where dirt accumulates most quickly. Make one moderate-paced pass forward and back over each section of flooring to ensure any crumbs or dust get trapped in the dirt tank.  

To get a tighter clean up along the room’s baseboards or under furniture, use the machine’s crevice tool.

Techniques for washing floors

With the CrossWave® Edge wet dry vac, you don’t need to vacuum beforehand, since the machine vacuums and mops at the same time. You can use it to clean dry messes like dirt and spilled cereal as well as soda – both stuck on spills and the not-yet-dried mess.  

Just like you would when vacuuming, start by clearing the floor of large debris and lightweight furniture.

Once you’ve filled the clean tank with water and a cleaning solution such as Multi-Surface Super Concentrate Cleaning Formula turn on the machine. Make one pass forward with the trigger pressed to release cleaning formula then release the trigger as you pull back and mop up excess liquid.

If you encounter stuck on spills, go over the area a few times.

Deep clean furniture and carpets

When seating areas and floor space are limited, your chance of spill coffee on a rug or chair increase significantly. Having a small portable deep cleaner handy can help.

Recommended cleaning products

• The Little Green® Mini portable cleaner is a fun sized machine with full-size power to spray, scrub, and lift stains from rugs, carpets, and upholstery.
• Use with PET PRO OXY Spot & Stain cleaning formula to erase all evidence of most spills and stains.

Techniques for deep cleaning furniture and carpets

Once you identify a spot or item you want to clean – from melted chocolate on carpet to a whole chair that’s due for a deep clean – it’s time to pull out your Little Green® Mini portable cleaner and get to work.

Fill the cleaner’s tank with warm water and PET PRO OXY Spot & Stain cleaning formula, using the guidelines printed on the clean tank to get the correct water-to-solution ratio.

If you’re spot cleaning, press the trigger to spray the stain and the surrounding area. Release the trigger and use the brush to gently scrub the stained area. Then, press the nozzle down and pull back towards you to extract the stain and excess moisture. If you’re cleaning a whole item, start at the top and work our way down, repeating the spray, scrub, suction technique.

If an area seems especially dirty, go over it a few times to get it clean.

You will remove most of the liquid with the suction function, but the area won’t be completely dry. For best results plan to let the cleaned item air dry overnight.

Deep clean your kitchenette

Many dorm rooms have a small kitchenette for food prep and storage. These spaces are often ground-zero for messes, from crumbs and spills to splattered sauces.

Recommended cleaning products

• The Steam Shot™ OmniReach™ handheld steam cleaner and sanitizer , which uses high-pressure steam at over 215 degrees to blast through grime, grease, and tough messes without harsh chemicals
• Soft cloth or paper towel

Techniques for deep cleaning a kitchenette

The first step in cleaning your kitchenette is to clear all surfaces. Remove, wash, and/or put away any dishes or silverware. Check expiration dates on food and dispose of anything past its prime.

Clean inside any appliances you have first. Clean your mini-fridge regularly by removing all items and wiping down shelves and walls with a soft cloth or paper towel. Pay attention to the drip tray and areas where spills might have occurred.

For the microwave, which may be hiding stuck-on splatter inside, consider using the Steam Shot™ OmniReach™ handheld steam cleaner and sanitizer. This small device uses high-pressure, high-temperature steam and a variety of attachments to clean and sanitize¹ without harsh chemicals. Steam cleaning is particularly effective for removing baked-on food particles and eliminating odors .

To use the SteamShot™ handheld steam cleaner, fill with water and attach a scrub brush to the nozzle. Once it heats to the optimal temperature – which can take around 3 minutes – hold the brush against the surface you want to clean and press the trigger to release steam. Gently scrub, letting the steam soften any dried-on messes then wipe the surface with a clean soft cloth until dry.

Once the insides of your appliances are clean, use your handheld steam cleaner to sanitize¹  the exteriors as well as the countertops and any cabinet knobs or drawer pulls.  

Organizing and arranging items

Once your room is clean, thoughtful organization helps makes space more functional for daily life. In a dorm room, the trick is to maximize your limited space while keeping frequently used items within reach.

Tips for effective organization

There’s no one-size-fits all approach to organization, but the best place to start is considering how you actually use your space. Things you use every day should be the most accessible, while seasonal items can be tucked away.

Vertical space is your friend in small dorm rooms. Use wall-mounted organizers, over-the-door storage, and stackable containers to make the most of limited square footage. Group similar items together and create designated homes for items that tend to wander – keys, phone chargers, and other small essentials.

Also, invest in furniture and accessories that help you maximize your space. A storage ottoman provides seating and hides clutter while bed risers create extra room for out-of-season clothes or sports equipment.

Maintaining a clean room

The goal isn't just to have one perfectly clean day in your dorm room – it's to develop sustainable habits that keep your space comfortable all semester long.

Daily habits for cleanliness

Small daily actions prevent the accumulation of messes that can make cleaning feel overwhelming. Make your bed every morning and deal with dishes and food items immediately after use. In general, putting items back in their designated places or doing a quick tidy-up each evening will help you stay free of clutter and give dust and grime fewer places to hide.

Create a cleaning schedule

A realistic cleaning schedule ensures important tasks don't get forgotten during busy periods. Decide what needs to get done each day, each week, and each month. While you may make your bed each day, you might decide you only need to vacuum once a week and deep clean appliances once a month.

Be realistic about your schedule, needs, and energy levels. And, if you share your space with a roommate, discuss ways to divide and conquer the task list.

Conclusion

Keeping your dorm room clean doesn't have to be a source of stress or take up all your free time. With the right approach, tools, and habits, you can maintain a space that supports your academic success and personal wellbeing.

Remember that the goal isn't perfection – it's creating a functional, clean environment where you can study and relax. Stacking up small, consistent cleaning habits is more effective than the occasional deep cleaning marathon.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I clean my room?

For most dorm rooms, aim for daily tidying, weekly surface cleaning, and monthly deep cleaning sessions. Daily tasks should include making your bed and clearing surfaces. Weekly tasks might include vacuuming and changing sheets. And deep cleaning should involve washing and steam cleaning surfaces as well as decluttering and getting rid of excess stuff.

What if I have allergies?

Focus on regular dusting, vacuuming, and maintaining good air circulation. Use a high-quality vacuum cleaner with good filtration like the Featherweight™ 3-in-1 vacuum or a vacuum with HEPA filtration, such as the PowerClean® FurFinder™ Codless Stick Vac. Wash bedding in hot water each week and consider using an air purifier if your dorm allows it. For more tips, read “How to Remove Pollen, Dust, Dander, and Dust Mite Matter Allergens from Carpet.”

Where should I start cleaning if I have an exceptionally messy room?

Start with basic decluttering rather than actual cleaning. Focus on removing trash, dirty dishes, and items that don't belong. Next, tackle one small area at a time, such as changing your sheets. Once you have a few quick wins you’ll be more likely to be motivated to do more.

What is the best way to clean your room?

Follow a logical sequence: declutter first, then clean from top to bottom, finishing with the floors. Having the right tools and products for each task will make it feel easier and go faster. And, take breaks if you're doing a major cleaning session – it's better to clean thoroughly in chunks than to rush through everything.

How can I clean my room in 10 minutes?

Focus on high-impact tasks that make the biggest visual difference. Start by making your bed, then tidy your space: quickly clear all surfaces and put away clothing, books, and dishes. If you have time left, finish by vacuuming the floor.

Are there specific cleaning supplies I need to clean my room effectively?

Essential supplies include microfiber cloths and the lightweight Featherweight™ 3-in-1 vacuum for versatility. To wash hard floors and refresh area rugs, the CrossWave® Edge wet dry vac vacuums and mops at the same time. For spot cleaning, The Little Green® Mini portable cleaner handles tough messes, and the Steam Shot™ OmniReach™ handheld cleaner, which uses high temperature steam to clean and sanitize¹ without harsh chemicals, is valuable for deep cleaning.

Disclaimer: ¹Kills 99.9% of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella aerogenes, and Aspergillus when used as directed. Testing conducted in a third-party lab under controlled conditions.