Parents often dread entering their teenagers' bedrooms, as they can be daunting spaces filled with dirt, grime, and sometimes overwhelming odors. Despite the reluctance, it's essential to periodically clean these areas, even if it means dealing with scattered laundry. Since teens are often too preoccupied to tidy up, the responsibility typically falls on parents. Here's a comprehensive cleaning checklist tailored for teens and young adults, regardless of the room's initial state.
Step 1: Clear the Floor
Begin by clearing the floor of your teenager's bedroom. Gather up all items, including dirty clothes, homework sheets, bookbags, and any other clutter strewn across the floor. Dispose of any garbage that has accumulated. Utilize a garbage bag for quick disposal. Once the floor is clear, proceed with vacuuming. For stubborn stains, consider renting a carpet cleaner for thorough cleaning.
Step 2: Launder Dirty Clothes
Next on your cleaning agenda is to gather all dirty laundry and place it in the washing machine to start a load. You can attend to it later by transferring it to the dryer.
With the washing machine running, you can focus on cleaning with renewed vigor. Consider playing upbeat music to energize yourself during this task, or encourage your teen to take on the responsibility themselves.
Step 3: Clean Surfaces
Cleaning surfaces is a crucial step in any teenage bedroom cleaning routine. Begin by wiping down the tops of your teen’s dresser and bedside table.
Then, thoroughly clean all surfaces using an all-purpose cleaner. Don’t overlook windows and mirrors; use a Windex-style glass cleaner and paper towel for a streak-free finish. After cleaning, open the window to freshen the room while you continue tidying up.
Step 4: Organize Drawers
Now it's time to tackle the depths of your teenager's drawers. Whether it's your son's dresser in need of organization or your teenage daughter's makeup table, start by emptying all drawers.
Wipe down the interior with an all-purpose cleaner and paper towel for a fresh start. Before returning items, take the opportunity to declutter and organize, adding an extra shine to the cleaned bedroom.
Step 5: Reorganize Drawers
Despite the ongoing challenge, it's time to tackle reorganizing your teen's drawers. While you're in full cleaning mode, accompanied by lively music, take advantage of this perfect opportunity. Start by placing unfolded clothing on the bed and begin folding neatly. Consider utilizing folding hacks from TikTok to optimize space and ensure a tidy fit in the drawer.
Step 6: Empower Your Teen
Teaching your teenager a sense of personal responsibility is crucial. Cleaning their space shouldn't solely be your responsibility it's theirs too. Now is the time to involve them in maintaining their room and establish a cleaning schedule that becomes second nature over time.
Encourage habits like making their bed each morning, placing dirty laundry in the basket, and occasionally rearranging their space. Take the opportunity to demonstrate proper clothes folding techniques to prevent drawers from becoming chaotic.
Consistency is key to instilling responsibility. Consider creating a printable teenage bedroom cleaning checklist and displaying it on the fridge or bedroom wall for easy reference. This checklist can include tasks like removing trash, airing out the room, and weekly vacuuming to keep the space clean throughout the week.
Step 7: Dispose of Trash
After accumulating a substantial pile of trash and possibly emptying the vacuum cleaner's cylinder, it's time to remove the trash from the room. Take it outside and dispose of it in the bin. If your teen is home, consider assigning this task to them. Otherwise, proceed to take out the trash yourself.
Step 8: Refresh Bedding
As one of the final tasks on your teenage cleaning checklist, it's time to refresh your teen's bedding. Start by stripping the bed and gathering all sheets and pillowcases for washing. While you're initiating this routine, handle the laundering yourself.
Transfer the finished dirty laundry from the washing machine to the dryer and load your teen's bedsheets and pillowcases into the washing machine. Opt for a delicate cycle to ensure gentle cleaning.
Consider investing in bamboo sheets and pillowcases to minimize the frequency of washing. Bamboo naturally deodorizes and can save time and money on laundry. Once the washing cycle is complete, replace the clean, dry bedding on the bed for a fresh finish.
Step 9: Organize Clean Clothes and Bedding
If you're waiting for the wash cycle to finish before replacing your teen's bedding, be patient. Once the bedding is dry, neatly fold it and place it back on the bed. Additionally, organize any clean clothes that have been laundered, ensuring everything is put away properly.
As you exit the room, leave the window open to allow fresh air to circulate, leaving the space clean and organized—a significant improvement from its initial state.
Conclusion
Remember to jot down these valuable cleaning tips and create a checklist tailored for tweens and teens. This handy tool will help them stay on track with their cleaning responsibilities. Now, it's time to reward yourself with a well-deserved glass of wine and take pride in your accomplishments. Cheers to a clean and organized space
