4 Sunday Reset Essentials to Make Cleaning Your Dorm a Breeze

Collette ReitzDeputy Editor, Special Projects

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Cozy bed with blue and white checkered bedding, green pillows, a green clock, and a wooden nightstand. — Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Prop Styling: Maya Borrero

Cleaning is probably never going to be your favorite dorm activity, but it is a necessary one to keep your space fresh and ready for all the things you want to do. From washing your sheets and clothes to making sure your rug isn’t collecting weeks of crumbs, you only need a few products to keep you on track.

Rather than wading through all the available options as you shop, we asked hundreds of real college students what dorm cleaning and laundry must-haves they swear by — you’ll quickly learn that what you carry your dirty sheets and clothes in can really make or break laundry day. To make the most of your Sunday resets, check out these four dorm cleaning winners from the 2026 Dorm Therapy Awards.

Brightroom Canvas Backpack Laundry Bag

$14

Can a laundry bag be chic? Meet this Brightroom canvas backpack that's also super functional. "Holds so much and can hang on the back of a door. The straps make it much easier to transport, especially if you have to walk to a different building for laundry. Also affordable at $14," says Andrew L., University of South Florida '27.

$14 at Target

Woozoo 5-Speed Globe Fan

$69$52

College students love this compact fan, and for good reason. As Eva L., Binghamton University ‘29, puts it: "This fan is amazing: It offers a strong breeze, good circulation, and it's not too noisy. It may seem a bit expensive, but I personally think that it's worth it for the price."

$52 at Walmart

Amazon Basics Foldable Clothes Drying Rack

$33

You want your dorm drying rack to be two things: easily stored and long-lasting. Nicole G., Bryn Mawr College ‘27, has "no complaints!" about this Amazon Basics one. "It's sturdy and gets the job done," she says.

$33 at Amazon

Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum

$38

It will become very clear very fast that you need some sort of vacuum when you live in a dorm. "Love this thing!" says Jocelyn S., Boston University ‘28, of this Bissell model that can transition from a stick vacuum to a handle vacuum and even a stair vacuum. "Easy to store and has great suction for the small size."

$38 at Amazon

Collette Reitz

Deputy Editor, Special Projects

I've worked in digital media for more than seven years — first as a writer, and then as a weekend and full-time editor. I began as a daily trending news writer for Elite Daily and then expanded my coverage as an editor into tech, food, social media, health, current events, and politics. I've collaborated with colleagues to create many exciting packages throughout my career, like Elite Daily's Money Issue, which aimed to help Gen Z better understand their personal finances. More recently, I helped launch Apartment Therapy and The Kitchn's "Happy Hosting!" vertical, packed with clever solutions for making holiday celebrations less stressful. I've also covered exciting product launches, including an Apple iPhone reveal in Cupertino, California. I've been lucky enough to interview accomplished individuals, including former WNBA star Sue Bird, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, and the iconic Dolly Parton.What I love most about digital media is connecting with readers. My goal is always to create well-researched content that impacts someone's day, whether that's offering practical solutions and reliable information or just providing a laugh with a well-placed pop-culture reference.

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