How to Deal With a Messy Roommate
Written by: Weida Apartments
When living with another person, have you ever come home to a sink full of dishes? Do you ever feel like you and your roommate are never on the same page with cleanliness? If so, you certainly aren’t alone. It’s very common to experience these issues. Luckily, there are several great tips on how to deal with a messy roommate.
In this post, we’ll offer some suggestions on how to overcome this obstacle.
Communicate Openly
If you live with a messy roommate, you might think setting ground rules is a good place to start. However, try some old-fashioned face-to-face communication first. While it may sound scary, sometimes a quick chat is all it takes to turn things around.
Even though you and your roommate may be friends, you may have no idea what they’re going through. Maybe they’re dealing with a breakup or serious life change, making them messier than usual. If you decide to approach them, make sure your tone is non-confrontational. Getting into a fight won’t solve the problem. If things don’t change after the talk, it may be time to set some rules.
Establish Boundaries
Make sure you and your roommate understand that your rooms are your own individual spaces, and you can treat them how you wish. However, that should never be the case in common areas. These are shared spaces that should accommodate everyone, including guests. That said, consider making rules like doing dishes after eating, cleaning up for guests, and doing some deep cleaning every month or so.
Remember that your roommate may not know their cleaning habits are bothering you. That said, approach them calmly without throwing out any accusations. You don’t want to hurt their feelings or start an arguing match.
Create a Cleaning Routine
Keep in mind we all have different expectations and standards when it comes to cleaning, so it’s normal to experience these problems. To ensure everyone is on the same page, consider setting up a clear, easy-to-follow cleaning routine. For example, you could make a rule that everyone must clean up their dishes within eight hours after cooking. If things should be cleaned sooner, you could decide to clean dishes right after eating. Basically, make sure everyone is cleaning up after themselves.
Another suggestion is to make rules when it comes to having guests over. If your roommate has a kickback with a few friends, it wouldn’t be fair to leave a mess. That said, try to set up a routine where you simply clean up right after people leave, or soon thereafter.
Dealing With Persistent Issues
Keeping a clean household takes effort from both parties. If you can’t seem to get anywhere with your roommate and the mess continues, consider hiring a cleaning company and splitting the costs. While no one wants to spend the extra money, it could help lower stress and keep you and your roommate from hating each other—especially if nothing else seems to work. If you go this route, make sure you both can agree on a budget and how often you’ll get the service.
When things don’t improve, you may feel hopeless and unsure of what to do next. If all else fails, the best thing may be to go your separate ways and find a new roommate. Compromise just doesn’t always work for everyone.
Tips for Sharing a Kitchen
The kitchen tends to be an area where roommates run into problems regarding cleanliness. This comes down to personal preference—and all of us are different. While one roommate may not care if dishes are stacked up for days, the other may always prefer a clean kitchen.
As we’ve discussed, talk to your roommate about how you both should handle dishes. Make sure everyone understands their expectations. When it comes to space, many roommates designate certain areas for each person. For example, one roommate might get the entire top shelf in the fridge, while the other gets the bottom shelf. This could work the same way in the cabinets and pantry.
Tips for Sharing a Bathroom
Bathrooms can quickly build up with filth and bacteria. Not only can a messy bathroom be annoying and frustrating, but it can also be unhealthy. First things first, remember to clean up after yourself. Also, it helps to stick to a schedule. You and your roommate could switch off who cleans the bathroom each week, or you can designate certain tasks for each person. For example, you may clean the mirrors, counters, and floors, while your roommate may be in charge of the toilet and shower. You could even write down these responsibilities on a calendar to help you both remember.
Tips for Sharing a Living Room
The living room is another area that can cause problems with roommates. However, a lot of people tend to hang out in their individual bedrooms instead of this common area. If you both spend time in the living room, it’s important to keep it clean. Don’t leave your stuff out, clean up after yourself, and try to refrain from spending too much time in this area. While you may enjoy hanging out in the living room, make sure your roommate gets some alone time there too. Or better yet, you two can hang out there together!
When Compromise Isn't Possible
It’s important to note that your landlord may legally require you and your roommate to maintain a certain level of cleanliness. In fact, you may be charged if you don’t meet this standard.
In some cases, you and your roommate might just not be a good match for each other. Like any relationship, it’s normal for things to come to an end when compromise isn’t happening. This means it may be time for you two to part ways.
Weida Apartments in West Lafayette, IN
Whether you’re planning on living with roommates or by yourself, Weida Apartments has the
apartment for you! Located in West Lafayette, IN, our amazing complex sits just steps away from Purdue University.
Contact us today to learn more about us!
