kateapollo

There are a lot of “what should I bring to college” lists on this messageboard, but I (half-jokingly) refer to this one as the “Definitive List.” While enormously helpful, it can get tiresome to read through a thread with more than fifty replies, many often repeating the same items ten people before them have repeated. The items are never especially categorized, either.

The series of lists I will post are specifically categorized, come with links to examples, have personal notes and come from my own dorming experiences and the experiences of others. I’m not saying all the suggestions will work with you or are necessary to you, but I hope in some way they may help.

The Definitve Cleaning List

Floors: Hardwood/Tile/Carpet
1) the Swiffer Dry: extremely easy to use, quick and easy to clean (just dispose of the cloth after use; hard to pick up more than lint and hair, however http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ucts/dry.shtml
2) the Swiffer Wet: use like a mop, very easy to use and leaves a great fresh scent
http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ucts/wet.shtml
3) any slim vacuum will do. It doesn’t need to be an expensive, bulky vacuum to get the job done.

Dusting
1) the Swiffer Duster: excellent and easy to hold and maintain http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffe...ers_hand.shtml
2) a small hand vacuum, to clean up dust in corners, on desks etc
Example: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...1&SKU=13645957

Disinfecting/Cleaning
1) Lysol, especially the sprays and the all-purpose cleaners (though the scent is sometimes too strong)
http://www.lysol.com/solutionsfinder.shtml
2) Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are amazing, easy to use and leave a good scent http://www.clorox.com/solutions_disinfecting_wipe.html
3) Oringial Pine-Sol: great scent, good for floors
http://www.pinesol.com/original.shtml
5) Windex or other window cleaner; the wipes are especially handy
http://www.windex.com/mirror-cleaner/

Kitchen Cleaning- If you’re going to have a kitchen in your apartment or if you’re going to do some cooking in your dorm hall
1) Dish detergent
2) Sponge
3) Paper towels
4) Washcloths or washrags for rinsing or drying
5) Dish bin to carry your plates/flatware etc

Cleaning Accessories: These items have come in handy
1) paper towels
2) old washrags/washcloths
3) mop
4) broom or short-handled brush with dustpan (if you don’t care for Swiffers or vacuums)
5) a sturdy bucket
6) clear spray bottles http://www.containerstore.com/browse...76&itemIndex=1
7) a good scrubbing brush
8) a good scrubbing sponge

ariesathena

I'm an anal neat/organized person, and would NEVER bring all of that with me.

Try: a bottle of 409; a roll of paper towels; good Dirt Devil; swiffer (just one, not all five!); dish detergent; and sponge that has a scrubby thing on one side.

kateapollo

I should clarify. The lists I put up are full of various items that have come in handy or were even necessary for kids in my dorm (and me as well). I never said that a person must or even should bring all these items; they can see the list and see what works with them. The list is more suggestions and people don't have to take it completely literally-- I'm not saying bring five Swiffers.

By the way, no one I know has more than maybe two Swiffers. I just listed all the different items I've seen used, and people can pick and choose for themselves from the list what they'll think will work.

ottothecow

Why does everyone insist on using wasteful things like swiffers when they could easily acomplish the same thing with a rag and any of the sprays you included in the same list.

undecided

Febreze is your friend.

soccerguy315

"Why does everyone insist on using wasteful things like swiffers when they could easily acomplish the same thing with a rag and any of the sprays you included in the same list."

b/c college kids are kinda old, and they don't like to bend over on the floor (except when drunk, and then they will be making the mess to be cleaned, not cleaning a mess)

ginnyvere

I may have overlooked this on one of the other lists, but laundry detergent has been left off, and it is possibly more important than all of the other stuff on this list put together.

undecided

Aside from washing clothes, what do you use laundry detergent for?

This list is for cleaning, which I took to mean tidying up the dorm room and getting rid of evidence of late night binges, caffeine rushes, all that popcorn and pizza you've been eating, etc.

kateapollo

Thanks for the concern. The laundry detergent, however, IS listed on the Laundy List. Undecided: thanks for bringing up Febreze. I also included that on the following thread:

The Laundry Thread: The Definitive College Must Have List: Laundry List

natrlsurf79

man this is hilarious. like people don't know how to clean and have to have other people's lists to help them. i guess some people will be cleaning up after themselves for the first time...

gianievve

Well thanks for putting the list and web links together kate. I'm sure some people, especially the compulsive cleaners amoung us, will find it useful.

LiquidPaper

I agree. Thanks for looking out for us wee little freshmen, Kate. There are some of us who DO appreciate the lists.

LiquidPaper

Honestly, I think they're good things. I have to admit I was surprised to see like 8 threads of definitive lists, but I read through them all and I found useful things on each one. I say just disregard what you wouldn't use yourself, or don't read the them. It's pointless to say "I'm not going to use [insert random item here], so why include it?" Nobody cares that you won't use it, and nobody cares if you will.

gianievve

Kate - which other college must-have items did you write Definitive Lists for?

kateapollo

"Kate - which other college must-have items did you write Definitive Lists for?"

Entertainment items (like DVDs, books, sports equipment etc), Kitchen Appliances (hot pots, plates, pitchers), Laundry (rolls of coins, detergent), Bedding and Lighting (tree lamps, sets of sheets), Study Materials (computer, staplers, highlighters etc), a Miscellaneous list (swim goggles, flashlight, umbrella), a Health and Medicine (Tylenol, anti-itch cream, multi-vitamins) etc.