Bedding and sleep
- Twin XL sheet sets, two of them, so one is always clean
- Mattress protector and a mattress topper
- Comforter or duvet plus one washable throw
- Two pillows and extra pillowcases
- A small laundry-safe blanket for the common room
College prep
COLLEGE DORM ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST
Most dorm shopping lists are written to sell you a cart full of things. This one is written by people who clean dorm rooms for a living, so it is organized by what you will actually use every week.
Laundry
Laundry is the single biggest weekly friction point in dorm life. Set it up properly on day one.
- A tall laundry hamper with a removable bag, not a plastic basket
- A separate mesh bag for delicates
- Detergent pods, they survive a shared laundry room better than liquid
- Stain pen and dryer sheets
- A folding surface plan, usually the bed
Cleaning supplies
Small space, small kit. Anything bigger will live under the bed unused.
- Disinfecting wipes for desk and high-touch points
- All-purpose spray and microfiber cloths
- A slim broom and dustpan or a small stick vacuum
- Trash bags sized to the room bin
- Hand soap and paper towels
Bathroom
- Shower caddy that drains
- Shower shoes
- Two quick-dry towels and two washcloths
- Toiletry bag for shared halls
- Over-door hooks
Storage and organization
- Under-bed bins sized to your hall's bed height
- Bed risers if the hall allows them
- Slim velvet hangers, they double closet capacity
- Desk drawer organizer
- One labeled bin for everything that has no home yet
What people actually forget
- An extension cord and a surge protector
- A first aid and medicine basket
- A door stop and a small toolkit
- Command strips rated heavier than you think
- A second set of sheets, again, it is the number one regret
FAQ
QUESTIONS, ANSWERED.
What size sheets do dorm beds use?
Most residence hall beds are Twin XL. Confirm with your housing office before buying, because a small number of halls use standard twin or full beds.
How much cleaning supply does a dorm room really need?
A wipes container, one all-purpose spray, microfiber cloths, a small vacuum or broom and trash bags cover almost every week. Storage space is the limiting factor, not budget.
Should parents buy everything before move-in?
Buy bedding, laundry and bathroom items ahead. Wait on storage and organization until you have seen the actual room dimensions on move-in day.
BOOK A MOVE-IN RESET
Want the room cleaned before any of this gets unpacked? That is exactly what a Dorm Maid move-in reset does.
BOOK A MOVE-IN RESET