Strewn about clothes, dishes in the sink, milk cartons left out in the open, oh the list goes on. If you have this problem with your roommate, it’s ok to be frustrated. Cleanliness is always one of the top reasons that could lead to conflict. And sometimes, it can even end your living arrangement. But, believe it or not, you don’t have to end up as ex-friends/ ex-roommates. There are ways to try and make things work with this roommate problem. You might not be able to persuade them to be as neat as you but, you can reach an understanding. And with any luck, you can get the roommate you want. Here are some tips to help you out.
Talk
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First things first, communicate. Don’t simply assume that your roommate is purposefully being messy just to annoy you. It might just be their nature. That’s why it’s important to talk it out. Understand why they’re like that and explain your distress. Understanding their standpoint can make you less bitter. And explaining your standpoint gently would avoid making them feel like you’re accusing them and avoid making you seem demanding. Once the issue is opened up, both of you can now work on a resolution.
Suggest a Chore List
This may be a bigger battle than just the talking part but, trust us, it could do wonders if all goes well. Ask your roommate to make a chore list together with you. This could include daily or weekly tasks. Then, assign a person to each task per day or week. Make sure to divide it equally and alternate so none of you feel cheated. This way, you both know your responsibilities in the week. And none of you would hold resentments since you’re both doing your equal share of the work.
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Pick a General Clean-Up Day
If the chore list doesn’t work, try suggesting a general clean up day per week where the two of you can clean the apartment together. Sometimes, people just prefer having others with them in doing the chores. So, talk it out and set a day or half a day where the two of you just put on some music and get cleaning.
Offer to Do More Cleaning in Exchange for Other Chores
If you’re the neater person of the two or if you’re just better at cleaning, why not exchange your skills and your willingness for other chores. For instance, you can do a bigger chunk of the cleaning. Meanwhile, your roomie can handle grocery shopping or paying the rent to your landlord at the end of every month. This way, you can work together with your strengths as a team.
Keep Spaces Separate
One other way to deal with this cleanliness issue is to think of your apartment in terms of turfs and zones. Determine which zones are yours, your roommates, and both of yours. This way, you can each keep your spaces as presentable as you want it to be. And you can only limit cleaning discussions to the areas that you share.
Consider Hiring a Professional Cleaning Service
If nothing else works, you can also hire a professional cleaning service for your common areas. Ask your roommate if they’re willing to chip in for it. And have a cleaner visit your apartment once a week or once every two if the budget is tight. With this, you can ensure a clean apartment without the squabble. Plus, you can enjoy that professional neat feal every time the cleaners leave. And you never know but, this might inspire your roommate to be neater.