How to keep things fair when it comes to cleaning
Whether it’s in a college dorm room, an apartment, or community home, living with a roommate can come with unique challenges. This week we’ll focus on one of the biggest causes for roommate disagreements – keeping your home clean.
Below we’ve outlined 7 recommended steps to avoid conflict, keep things fair, and enjoy a clean space.
1. Make a list of cleaning chores.
Discuss the chores that need to be done around the home and make a list. This may include tasks such as:
- Vacuuming
- Doing the dishes
- Taking out the trash
- Wiping down countertops and sinks
- Mopping the floors
- Cleaining the toilet
Tip: Not sure what cleaning tasks need to be done?
Check out our handy At-A-Glance Cleaning Checklists with cleaning chores divided by room and grouped by how often they should be completed!
2. Define what “clean” means.
People have different levels of “clean” that they expect in order to feel comfortable in their space.
You’ll need to talk with your roommate about what they expect and how you might be different from each other.
Maybe you don’t mind a few dishes in the sink, but your roomate can’t stand it! It’s ok to have different opinions, but it’s most important to come to an agreement, especially in shared spaces such as the kitchen, living room, and bathrooms.
3. Decide when each cleaning task needs to be done.
It’s not just about what you need to do, but when it needs to be done. Maybe one person stacks their trash on top of the trash can until it’s almost falling over, while someone else thinks it’s full when it’s nearing the top. Discussing these expectations is key to avoiding frustrations.
Also, remember that everyone has a different schedule, so it’s important to give people a reasonable amount of time to complete their assigned chores. Sometimes it helps to have a set “cleaning day” or even a check-in time to give everyone a chance to get things done.
4. Assign the cleaning chores.
There are many different ways to split up the cleaning tasks. Some people prefer to have the same chores every week. If you feel really comfortable doing something specific like washing dishes or vacuuming, it might be best to have the same task every week.
If there’s nothing you really feel confident completing, then changing the rotation each week might be the best way to go so no one feels “stuck” doing the same thing.
Tip: You’ll want to split up the major cleaning tasks, but it is important to always clean up after yourself during personal activites. This means putting your own dirty clothes in the hamper, your own soiled trash in the trash can, or cleaning up your hair in the shower.
5. Divide cleaning supply costs.
It’s typically best to split the cost of cleaning supplies evenly among roommates. You’ll need to discuss a budget and what you are all willing to spend to make sure everyone can contribute.
If one person is a great deal-finder, they might want to do the shopping and divvy up the expenses. However, if you requre a specific product that’s more expensive, you may need to purchase this on your own.
6. Decide how to check your work.
How will you deal with someone who doesn’t do their chores? What if something thinks you didn’t do a good enought job? Clear communication is important when living with others. When you don’t talk about things, they can grow into a bigger issue.
Some people prefer a text reminder, while others want someone to just come talk to them if they have a problem. Discuss your preferred communication style with your roommates.
Tip: If you don’t like the way something is done, remember you can do it your way next time the chore is yours!
7. Support each other!
It’s always nice to be noticed when you are working hard. Saying a genuine “thank you” can go a long way with your roommate!
