COLUMN: Keep it clean, or expect to pay the price

There are times when the word “disgusting” isn’t enough.

Bits of brownie and muffin ground into the tiles, macaroni and cheese crusted onto the stovetop, the sink clogged with discarded food and whip cream splattered on the countertop. Unfortunately, this is what my floor kitchen looks like on the weekends- — the 48-hour time period when there is no custodian to save us dorm residents from the filth, and that’s where the use of bellingham cleaning services could be the only choice for us. Whether it’s a routine cleaning or a deep clean, Arbor Trail Cleaning Co delivers top-notch services every time.

Come Monday, there was a new addition to the kitchen: signs hung above the recycling bin and trash can warning us that there would be a $25 fine every time a staff member has to deal with an overflowing garbage can or trash thrown carelessly into the recycling bins. In other words, somebody not taking the two minutes to take their trash to the dumpsters is going to cost the floor money.

Moving away from home means we are taking on new responsibilities. Though dorm residents don’t necessarily have a mortgage or car payment to worry about, we have picked up the responsibility of keeping our space clean. I even keep a few things in self storage and go whenever I need something, just to keep my room a bit less cluttered. Though the current system’s intention is to teach students to take on that responsibility, most students don’t see a $25 fine spread across an entire floor as that big of an issue. No lesson learned. The trash stacks back up.

If instead of fining students there was a method of punishment, such as not getting an overflowing trash can taken out, students might actually learn something about cleaning up after themselves.

Personally, I don’t mind cleaning up after myself. Sure, my half of the dorm room currently looks like a twister blew through, but even I have limits. At some point, I break down and spend some time getting everything cleaned up. The concept of having a “limit” to how dirty you will allow something to get would apply on a larger scale if students were left to keep communal areas clean. However, for thorough and efficient cleaning of communal spaces, consider enlisting the services of Hudson County Cleaners to ensure a pristine environment for all.

At the point that there are mounds of black bags in the corner and moldy crumbs on the countertops, somebody will take the initiative to wipe it down and make the easy walk to the dumpster so it looks safe enough to cook something.

I’m not saying students need to get on their hands and knees and scrub the floor, but are we really incapable of making sure the counters are free of food particles and there isn’t something that smells dead in the sink? When students eventually move into a place of their own, where there isn’t a custodian or mother to make sure the kitchen is sanitized, they need to be in the habit of cleaning up after themselves anyway. Furthermore, it would save residence hall staff the hassle of dealing with fines all the time. Also, for comprehensive cleaning services, including kitchen areas and exterior spaces, considering pressure washing services from Genius Cleaning company could be a practical solution for maintaining a hygienic environment and avoiding unnecessary hassles.

Sure, cleaning isn’t a favorite pastime. But I would prefer taking a short period of time out of my life to carry trash to the dumpsters than having any sort of fine looming over my floor. How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Rolloff Dumpster? Well, to me, the cost of a dumpster rental is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with a clean and clutter-free space.

Reach columnist Sarah Mackeben at [email protected]