As many of us college kids are living on our own for the first time, it's a learning process for sure. Many of us are still learning what it means to clean, manage, and care for a place of our own. For so long our parents cleaned and worried about things we never even thought of.

Being a huge germaphobe, I was quick to learn the basics as to what needs to be upkept and taken care of in a standard house or apartment. I’ve learned a couple tips and reminders to help maintain a healthy, clean living space.

So, without further ado, here are my best tips to help you out to keep your living space, at the least, healthy and smelling good.

1. Clean your refrigerator

Living with roommates can be tricky with this, because you never want to throw something out that they may use, however, there are some clear signs it’s time to throw away those eggs that have been there for months.

For one, if there are signs of mold, apart from cheese, toss it. It’s not healthy or sanitary and can release bacteria into your refrigerator that can get you sick if you’re not careful. For cheese, if it’s a small portion, you can cut off the moldy piece, but PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

Also, to maintain a fresh smell, replace the baking soda in the fridge every couple of months to avoid smells. To put one in your fridge, buy a standard box of baking soda and open it so it can keep the fridge smelling clean and trap odors.

2. Clean your washing machine

Working in an apartment office, I often get resident’s who call down inquiring about the removal of a stench originating from the washing machine.

Oh boy do I have a treat for you.

If you peel back the “lips” of the washing machine, you will more than likely find mildew, dirt, and hair sitting in the lip. Get bleach or Clorox wipes and make sure you wipe it all up, then use a washing machine cleaner (you can get an OxiClean one at Safeway for $4), pour the package into the drum of the washing machine and run a normal cycle on hot water. If you can’t find the cleaner at the moment, use either bleach (you’ll get a strong smell when it’s done of bleach) or white vinegar mixed with baking soda (no strong smell) and run the same wash.

3. Clear the dryer of any fire hazards

If you didn’t already know (trust me, I’ve seen it all), you must empty the lint filter in the dryer every 1-2 loads. If it builds up, it can start a huge fire, so you really must make sure you clean it out every couple of loads. Every couple of weeks, be sure to vacuum it as well and get any lint resting at the bottom.

4. Sanitize your microwave

Your microwave can be a breeding place for bacteria if you’re not careful. Make sure that if there’s food splatter inside the microwave that you wipe it up to avoid food-borne illness as well as prevent an odor. Use Clorox wipes or a multipurpose cleaner.

5. Rinse and Clean the Dishwasher

Using a similar cleaner you can find at any grocery store (normally called appliance cleaner), pour the packet into the bottom of the dishwasher and run an empty cycle. This will get rid of any bacteria that has lingered after the wash and can help prevent illness as well as improve the cleanliness of the dishes after a wash.

Remember with dishwashers, you can’t just put food in there. You have to rinse off the food otherwise it can clog your dishwasher and cause an odor.

These are only just a few of the many you tips you can use to maintain a clean and healthy environment in your living space. While most of these things only need to be done every month or so, the more the merrier. Remember to respect your living space, someone’s working hard so you can live there (whether it be you or your parents). Treat it kindly and make sure that you’re maintaining your space, if you do this, I promise you will have a much more relaxing, healthier living situation.