Cleaning is a must for college students (or hopefully is). Whether in an on-campus dorm or apartment, I hope everyone dusts, changes their sheets, cleans the bathroom, and does laundry — the essentials. For me, I am a full-on germaphobe and neat freak, so my place stays pretty spotless (except last week because I was sick). However, as we approach the end of the month, we also approach my monthly deep clean. Different than my regular cleaning (daily vacuuming and mopping, weekly emptying of the trash, cleaning of the bathroom, changing of the sheets/laundry, and dusting), my monthly deep clean includes:
- Disinfecting every surface.
- Moving all the furniture to get those hidden dust bunnies.
- Doing a deep scrub of the floors.
- Cleaning the fridge and water filter.
- Cleaning the cleaning supplies (oh yeah, meta-cleaning!)
As I prepared for this upcoming weekend edition of this super cleaning session, I realized that, like most of my life, this was probably autistic. Unsurprisingly, it was!
After a quick TikTok search, I found a mountain of videos of individuals with autism deep-cleaning their spaces. As I scrolled, I saw a barrage of rubber gloves, bleach, Clorox, Lysol, and homemade soaps. I realized that not only was this quite common for individuals with autism, but I also found some fun new products I might be trying!
However, It is unsurprising that individuals with autism might enjoy cleaning. The first clue is the high correlation between autism and OCD or other forms of anxiety. Additionally, cleaning can be very satisfying, especially seeing a room go from messy to clean and organized (ASMR-style). Cleaning also helps keep one’s hands busy, which is only some headphones with music away from some rarely-seen autistic focus.
Although I thoroughly love my monthly cleans (daily, weekly, and other randomly timed cleanings), individuals with autism can struggle with cleaning. They can also struggle to stick to a schedule and routine, which could make tasks like putting clothes away, washing dishes, or wiping down a dusty shelf once in a blue moon a struggle. Additionally, cleaning can be a very stimulating activity. There are very fragrant sprays and liquids, weirdly textured things like hairballs, soggy rages, or other oddities one might find under their bed.
While cleaning is necessary for all, individuals with autism can see it as their savior or torture. The satisfaction of transforming a cluttered space into an organized oasis resonates deeply with many, providing both a sense of accomplishment and a moment of calm. At the same time, cleaning can be a disaster that takes all day to do an essential task — ranging from sensory overload to difficulty maintaining routines. Whether you’re a neat freak like me or still figuring out your cleaning routine, remember that a clean space can lead to a clearer mind, paving the way for a more focused and productive college experience. So, as we head into the new month, let’s commit to keeping our spaces tidy and recognizing the unique ways different individuals see cleaning.
