Cleaning your accommodation
Whilst our dedicated cleaning teams are here to assist you in maintaining the cleanliness of your accommodation, it's important to remember that you also have a responsibility to keep your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and communal areas in good order.
Top tip: Working together makes the job quicker and easier. Make a rota with your flatmates for taking out rubbish and recycling, and cleaning your kitchen.
Kitchen cleaning poster 2024_25 (PDF 
, 63kb)
What we do
It's important to be aware of the services our cleaning team provides throughout your stay in university accommodation.
In the kitchen
In the kitchen, our cleaning teams will:
- Clean all surfaces and sink areas
- Thoroughly clean cookers, grills and microwaves
- Sweep and mop the floor
- Wipe clean the front of fridges / freezers, cupboard doors, and drawers
- Replenish your bin bags to help you keep on top of things
This service happens once a week, during Monday to Friday. We recommend you check your kitchen and common room the day before your weekly top up clean / inspection.
In communal areas
In communal areas, our cleaning teams will:
- Mop, sweep or vacuum all corridors, stairs and floors
- Clean toilets, baths, washbasins and showers
- Replenish toilet rolls
Shared bathroom
In shared bathrooms, our cleaning teams will:
- Clean all surfaces, and sink areas
- Deep clean toilets and showers
- Sweep and mop the floor
- Replenish toilet consumables
This cleaning service happens three times a week and toilet rolls are topped up daily.
Ensuite bathrooms
If you have an ensuite bathroom, this will be deep cleaned before your arrival. You are responsible for cleaning it the rest of the time.
What you need to do
You're responsible for keeping your bedroom and communal areas clean and tidy.
Your bedroom
You’re responsible for tidying and cleaning your bedroom, including:
- vacuuming / sweeping regularly
- cleaning surfaces (we recommend a non-bleach based cleaner)
- cleaning your ensuite
A vacuum can be found in your kitchen. You can request additional vacuum bags online.
Your ensuite bathroom
You're responsible for keeping your ensuite bathroom clean and tidy after you move into your accommodation. This includes mopping up any excess water on your floor to prevent mould and keeping plugholes clear to avoid blockages.
You'll also be responsible for buying your own toilet rolls - we'll supply one roll for your arrival.
Your kitchen
You and your flatmates are responsible as a group for cleaning your kitchen. This includes:
- regularly emptying your bins into the outside recycling bins
- washing up and putting away crockery and utensils
- clearing and cleaning your worktops, hobs, ovens, sink, windowsills and floors
- clearing belongings and shopping crates off the floor
- preparing for your weekly clean.
Your hallway
Always keep your hallway and fire escapes clear. Anything blocking either of these could be a potential hazard in case of an emergency or fire. Hallways will be cleaned every two weeks.
Your common room
If you use your college common room, you’ll need to make sure it’s left in a clean and tidy condition when you’re done. Common rooms will be cleaned every two weeks.
Waste and recycling
- Almost everything can go into your mixed recycling bin, glass bag, or food bin.
- We provide black bags for your general waste and clear bags for your mixed recycling.
- Please use the correct bags for each.
- Empty bins as soon as they’re full into the external bins outside.
- Make sure you empty each bin into the correct container.
Waste and recycling poster 2024_25 (PDF , 68kb)
Keen to learn more about waste and recycling at the University of York? Take a look at our waste and recycling web pages.