Easily keep up with your cleaning responsibilities

Living in halls means sharing spaces with people from all walks of life. Keeping your flat clean is not only about hygiene, but also about making sure everyone feels comfortable and respected. Here’s how to stay on top of things in a way that’s fair and easy for everyone.

What we will do

The ResLife Operations team helps look after your building. They’ll give your shared bathrooms and communal areas (not kitchens) a weekly clean, and they’ll carry out regular health and safety checks. Everything else is up to you and your flatmates.

If you have any issues with cleaning or sharing flat responsibilities,  please report them to your Res Life Hub Reception. 

Your responsibilities

• Kitchens: You are responsible for your own kitchen space. Wash up soon after using plates, pans, and cutlery so they don’t pile up. Keep worktops clear and wipe them down to avoid bacteria and limescale. You will also need to make sure to sweep and mop floors on a regular basis to prevent attracting pests.
• Bins: Empty your kitchen bin when it’s about three-quarters full (at least once a week) and take rubbish and recycling to the external recycling centres. Make sure to check what can be recycled before managing your waste.
• Fridges and freezers: Stick to one shelf each to keep things organised. Make sure to keep food covered and properly stored away to avoid attracting pests. Don’t overfill freezers and remove food that has been there for more than a month. 
• Bathrooms: If you have an en-suite, clean your toilet and shower weekly. Bath has hard water, so limescale builds up quickly. Use a good bathroom spray and toilet cleaner to stay on top of it.
• Bedrooms: Keep your room tidy by clearing surfaces, using cupboards for storage, and making sure nothing blocks doors or corridors.
• Mould: You need to keep an eye out for mould and report it as soon as you find any. You also need to take steps to help prevent mould forming in the first place e.g. open window(s) when hanging laundry to avoid mould.

Tips for fair cleaning

• Shared living agreement: At the start of the term, discuss with your flatmates how you would like to manage cleaning and other responsibilities. Decide together who does what and when, and write it down.
• Little and often: It’s much easier to do small cleaning jobs regularly than tackle a big mess later.
• Respect each other: Everyone has different habits and standards. Be prepared to compromise and communicate if something isn’t working.

Why it matters

A clean and tidy flat makes life easier for everyone. It helps prevent pests, keeps food safe, and avoids stress between housemates. Most importantly, it means you can enjoy your time at Bath without worrying about unnecessary mess or arguments!