Cleaning Supplies for the College Student

Your child is about to go off to college and you are undoubtedly worried about some of illnesses and infections that campus living can produce. Besides the usual laundry supplies, you will also want to supply key cleaning products for your college student.

Cleaning cloths: Your student will not have enough room under his bed for a pallet of Costco paper towels. Instead, purchase a pile of Sham-type absorbent cleaning cloths that can be used to clean dirty surfaces and clean up spills. They can be tossed in the laundry and used over and over again.

All purpose antibacterial cleaner: Look for an all purpose cleaner that comes with miniature concentrate refill bottles. They can use then for community showers and sinks and to clean hard surfaces in the dorm room when someone is ill. Be careful not to get a bleach cleaner as you can ruin fabrics and other items.

Lysol: An antibacterial surface disinfectant and air freshener is needed to clean the surface of the toilet, disinfect community property, and for the occasional bathroom session.

Garbage can. A slim kitchen garbage can with a lid will prevent dirty Kleenex and nasty food containers from piling up.

Bug spray: One can of bug spray will help them take out an critters they see in the dorm room. They will still need to request an exterminator visit their room, but taking out the critter(s) right away, will help them sleep at night.

Dish detergent: Your student wll need one bottle dish detergent and a sponge to clean the few dishes they will keep in their room, otherwise, they may allow fungus to grow and flourish. A small plastic dish bin can be use to transport dirty dishes to the closest sink.

Cleaning Caddy: All of these items can be kept in a cleaning caddy or simple bucket that can be slipped under a bed, or into a closet.

Laundry, as mentioned earlier, unless your child will be going to college nearby and plans to pay you bi-weekly laundry visits you will need to buy laundry products. I am rarely brand loyal, but I highly recommend the Purex 3 in 1 laundry sheets for ease of use. Thirty eight applications cost as little as $7.00. Also purchase some stain stick so they can treat a stained item before tossing it in the laundry bin.

If you are someone looking to give a departing college student a gift, all of items can be purchased for $50.00 or less, many of which can be purchased at the dollar store.