How to Prevent Dorm Odors

The last thing you need after a long day of class is to come home to a smelly dorm room, but unfortunately, cramming two or more people into a small room can be a recipe for strong odors. Follow these steps to learn how to prevent dorm odors so that you enjoy, rather than loathe, hanging out in your dorm room.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Schedule a time to sit down with your roommate to discuss the current state of your dorm room. If it is already stinky, you definitely have some work to do.

2. Identify existing and potential odors so that the two of you can plan how you will combat them. Possible odor causing elements in your room could include dirty laundry, dirty dishes, old leftovers, trash, bathroom smells, cigarette smoke on clothes and smelly feet and shoes.

3. Set a cleaning schedule with your roommate. Make sure that each roommate does his own dishes as he uses them and that someone always takes out the trash as soon as it is full. Agree to do your laundry, including sheets, frequently.

4. Keep the bathroom stocked with deodorizing spray at all times.

5. Purchase Febreze deodorizing spray to use on smelly clothing or on other smelly fabrics that you don't have time to wash immediately.

6. Use powder for smelly shoes and socks, and shower daily to keep good personal hygiene.

Tips & Warnings

• If your roommate isn't honoring your cleaning agreement and is still allowing unacceptable smells to drift through your room, don't be afraid to approach her. Handle the situation in a direct yet polite manner so that it will stop smelling like someone set off a stink bomb in your room.

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[ShirleyS]

on 8/26/2008 I found a great product that I originally bought for my fridge odors - called FRIDGE IT odor absorbers. Then, I read about using it in dorm rooms and closets. With college boys, I sent along some of these little purple cubes of activated carbon and they really worked great for taking care of those "dorm odors". I definitely recommend it. Just put them around in closet, drawers, mini fridge, etc. I buy them at kitchen gadget stores.