Does stepping into your teenager’s bedroom feel like you’ve entered a ‘no clean’ zone? As moms, it’s pretty much a running joke, but the frustration is real. We want to know “why?”, but the truth is that this question can have many different answers. One thing is for sure. Communicating well with our kids on this subject is a good start.
Is it Normal for a Teenager to Have a Messy Room?
Well, it’s certainly very, very common!
If you’re frustrated with your teen’s lack of attention, or even downright avoidance, to keeping up their living space, you’re not alone.
And when it comes to dealing with a messy room, it’s important to realize there are many factors that can contribute to it. Some are straightforward and others are more complex. It’s not always just about the room.
Let’s make it as easy for them as possible by breaking it down so they know exactly what to do and when to do it. That’s just plain old good communication.
Step-by-Step to a Clean Room for Teens
I know you’ll be happy if your teen gets some or most of these steps done, in whatever order they happen.
But there are some simple strategies behind the sequence that I’ve used here. For example, clearing their space before they try to clean. Approaching the room task-by-task instead of randomly jumping between them. And dusting before vacuuming.
These will help them form good habits that make cleaning faster and more efficient.
Encourage your kids to create a routine that they follow each time they clean. Using this list makes it easy for them to do it.
- Trash - Pick up all trash from floor, shelves, under bed, etc. Empty it all (including what's in the trash can) into a garbage bag and remove it from the room.
- Dirty Laundry - Pick up all dirty laundry (including sheets and pillow cases) and put it in a basket then remove it from the room.
- Clean Laundry - Put any clean laundry away where it belongs.
- Remove - Remove things from the room that obviously don't belong there, like used plates, cups, etc.
- Tidy Up - Put items that do belong in the room back where they should be.
- Make Bed - Remake the bed with fresh sheets and pillowcases. Fold any additional blankets neatly.
- Clean Mirrors
- Dust - Flat surfaces, furniture, home decor, electronics
- Vacuum - The floor should be pretty clear now, so vacuum thoroughly, including under items that are easy to move.
An occasional deep clean is also part of keeping any bedroom in good condition (it’s in our regular bedroom cleaning checklist too). The frequency is up to you.
- Dust - Walls, ceilings, baseboards, window sills/frames, door, door frame
- Clean Windows
- Odor Control - Open the windows and thoroughly air out the room. Remove smelly items from the closet and leave the door open overnight.
Cleaning Tips for Teens
Cleaning tips for teens aren’t really different than those for adults. Proven strategies that work for us will work for them as well. So here are six teen-friendly ideas to share with your child.
- Open the windows while you clean to reduce the odors that have built up in the room.
- Set a timer and clean in blocks of time. This will help the job feel less overwhelming and provide motivation.
- Put on music that makes you want to move. Maybe even create a special playlist for cleaning.
- Avoid distractions by turning off your phone or at least not responding to calls or texts until after you’re done. Also, stick to your list when you find your attention being drawn away by something else.
- Daily maintenance, even 5 minutes, goes a long way toward making cleaning day a breeze. Gathering up laundry, putting trash in the wastebasket, and tidying up are perfect examples.
- Add a little motivation. Have some competition with yourself. Challenge yourself to get certain tasks done in a set amount of time or in the length of a song. Or watch this video about Making Your Bed.
Don’t forget to *show* your kids how to clean their messy bedroom.
Cleaning is second-nature to us moms, and many of us use our own house cleaning checklists. But that doesn’t mean our kids have absorbed any of that information.
Walk through each task in the list with your child the first time, no matter how simple. Let them know what your expectations are when you say “clean your room”. And give them the information they need to do it well.
Printable Teenage Bedroom Cleaning Checklist
Your teen may feel like a list is unnecessary (ask me how I know!), but let them know that it’s part of the deal. This is about forming good habits and a list is one of the best ways to do that. Whether you ask them to check items off as they’re done is up to you.
Wrap Up
If you have a teen who seems to be clutter-blind, dust-blind, and odor-blind when it comes to their bedroom, you’re not alone. Like anything else with our kids, good communication is so important. Letting them know what is expected and how to accomplish that is key. And a cleaning checklist, along with a few tips, is a great start.