5 Must-Have Supplies to Make Cleaning Up Dorm Food Messes *So* Easy

When I first started cooking in my dorm room, I had no idea what to do with my dirty dishes. Was I supposed to rinse them in the bathroom sink, or lug them down three flights of stairs to the communal kitchen? I even considered giving up on dishes all together and using paper plates and bowls. The whole process was exhausting, and honestly took most of the joy out of cooking.

But it doesn’t have to be so hard. To figure out how to make cleanup as easy as possible when cooking in a dorm, I asked Kadi Dulude, a professional cleaner and the founder of Wizard of Homes, for her best tips. She shared a handful of must-have cleaning essentials for students making meals in dorms and shared kitchens. Add these items to your dorm shopping list, and you’ll be all set with the easiest cleanup yet. 

If you’re cooking in your dorm room, you’ve probably already realized that the sink situation is not ideal. Even if you’re lucky enough to have a sink in your room, it’s likely not cut out for scrubbing pots and pans. And no one wants soapy dishes piled up in a tiny dorm sink!

Instead, take your dishes to the nearest kitchen sink —  you can use a shower caddy to carry your dishes and cleaning supplies. When it comes to drying, use a clean towel back in your room (unless the kitchen is totally empty) so you’re not crowding the counter. It might take a little extra effort, but it’s worth it to be courteous to your fellow dorm dwellers.

Whether you’re cooking in your room or in a shared kitchen, you’ll need some cleaning essentials on hand to make sure you can properly clean up after yourself. These tools will make cleanup easy and ensure that you don’t leave any sticky messes or food smells behind. 

A good dish soap is the backbone of any kitchen cleaning routine. Concentrated dish soap cuts grease on plates, pans, cutting boards, and countertops. Dulude says, “A little goes a long way — dilute in warm water for hand-washing. Look for concentrated store brands to save money.” Whether you are scrubbing last night’s ice cream bowl or wiping down your mini fridge, this is a versatile staple for your cleaning routine.

What pairs better with your new concentrated dish soap, than a new scrub sponge and dish brush? Dulude recommends using a “sponge for general washing, and a stiff brush for stuck-on food.” She says to replace sponges every two to four weeks (or you can also microwave a damp sponge for one minute to reduce germs). And if you’re washing a nonstick pan, don’t forget to use the non-scratch side to keep the coating intact, Dulude warns. 

Though paper towels are convenient, they go fast in dorms, and the price can add up fast, too. As a cheaper alternative, Dulude recommends a microfiber cloth or reusable dish towel because they are lint-free and good for drying dishes and wiping up spills. “Keep one for dishes, and one for countertops,” Dulude says. She also recommends washing them every week.  

Even if you’ve wiped a surface down, that doesn’t mean some pesky germs and debris aren’t lingering. For those, Dulude prescribes a good EPA-approved spray cleaner or disinfectant wipes, which are great for quick cleanups in small spaces. She says they “kill germs on high-touch surfaces like handles, fridges, and prep areas.” 

Baking soda is a multipurpose cleaning all-star — you can use it to clean everything from laundry or shoes to the shower or carpet. When it comes to cooking at college, though, Dulude notes that baking soda is excellent at soaking up pesky food smells. To use baking soda to deodorize your fridge, simply pour some into a bowl and place it on a centrally located shelf. And of course, be sure to wipe up any sticky messes and throw out any expired ingredients to ward off fridge stink, too. 

Between classes and hanging out with friends, you’re probably ready to crash as soon as you make and eat a meal, but you have to clean up — especially when you’re in a small space. Keep these guidelines in mind to make cleaning less of a hassle and more of an automatic part of your cooking process. 

• Store essentials in a small caddy, so you can carry them to shared sinks easily.
• Label items as “kitchen use” if you share a space.
• Clean up right after cooking to avoid pests and sticky messes.
• To prevent cross-contamination, designate one cloth for dishes, another for countertops, and a third for spills. (Hot tip: Buying different colors can help you remember which cloth is for what!)
• Clean as you cook! Be sure to wipe up any spills as you go.
• Do a “5-minute final sweep” after you’ve finished making food to disinfect everything, empty trash if needed, and put everything back in its place.

Check out *all* of our tips and easy recipes in Dorm Therapy’s complete Start Here Guide to Cooking at College. You’d be surprised how much you can do with a microwave and a mini fridge!