Dorm Favorites? Laundry Bag / Hamper, Mattress topper, etc.

[Anonymous]

Backpack style laundry bag

[Anonymous]

A lot of the organizational stuff is better determined once they get there and start putting their things away. Do a Target run before you leave town, or let them order what they need from Amazon.

Otherwise you’ll end up with a bunch of crap they don’t need, doesn’t fit in the drawers, or takes up too much space. Wait and see how they actually live before buying things to make that easier.

A very small tool kit—like, a tape measure, a screwdriver with interchangeable heads, and some command strips for nail-free hanging—is always good to have on hand. But VERY small. They’ll probably need extension cords and power strips, but again, wait to buy until you see what they need.

And don’t go overboard with giant first aid kits and ten different types of medications. They’re going to be on a college campus, not spending six months in the jungle. The campus store will have Advil if they run out.

[Anonymous]

Backpack laundry bag
Cooling mattress topper (otherwise hot as he!!)
Neither of my kids needed the hanging laundry shelf. Between the set of 3 large drawers that came with the dorm and the stacking drawers we bought at Bed Bath and Beyond, they were fine
Hangers, and not the velvet ones that break so easily
Lamps with built in charging ports - one for their desk and one clip on for their bed - Target makes cheap ones that lasted for my kids
Surge protectors (2, at least 6 feet) rather than extension cords which some dorms don't allow
First Aid kit that I update each year before they go back. You can Google online what's appropriate and you know your kid. My boy I made sure to include anti-fungle cream, my girl tweezers (always barefoot and always getting splinters)

Every company has a list of what's needed. Most of it isnt.

[Anonymous]

Air filter! The rooms can be musty.

Mattress bed bug cover
Memory foam mattress topper ( takes a lot of space in car but you have to enroll it for a day or two to release the chemical smell)
Moving bags from Amazon.
Sacking plastic drawers from the container store that fit into the closet
Those collapsible bins from Costco. Great to transport food, beauty, health stuff.
Mini Keurig for coffee or hot chocolate
Fan
Laundry bag
Small rolling cart used next to the bed, with cup attachment
Dust vac or mini vacuum
Paint staff wall hanging adhesives, print out photos

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just picked my son up from freshman year and outside his dorm was an overflowing dumpster filled with mattress toppers, plastic drawer units, decorative pillows, fans…..such a huge waste.

Ths is because they can’t get it all back home in one car trip.

[Anonymous]

"I just picked my son up from freshman year and outside his dorm was an overflowing dumpster filled with mattress toppers, plastic drawer units, decorative pillows, fans…..such a huge waste."
It's disgusting how entitled and overindulged many college kids are. Please stop contributing to this.

[Anonymous]

Get the maximum numbers of items that are foldable and _washable_. A padded fabric mattress pad will still provide comfort and get you off the vinyl, but unlike memory foam it can be washed. Skip structured laundry baskets in favor of simple drawstring bags or even king-size pillowcases. Make sure the comforter fits in a washing machine. Go flat-weave with the rug so it can be shaken out if it can't be vacuumed. Don't buy Tupperware-style furniture or bins that can't be closed tightly enough to keep out bugs ( = skip drawers in favor of underbed bins). Milk crates still make great bookshelves and double as transportation boxes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Backpack style laundry bag

+1 everything else doesn't really matter.

Get blackout curtains and a flexible curtain and closet rod, if they have a closet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Air filter! The rooms can be musty.

Mattress bed bug cover
Memory foam mattress topper ( takes a lot of space in car but you have to enroll it for a day or two to release the chemical smell)
Moving bags from Amazon.
Sacking plastic drawers from the container store that fit into the closet
Those collapsible bins from Costco. Great to transport food, beauty, health stuff.
Mini Keurig for coffee or hot chocolate
Fan
Laundry bag
Small rolling cart used next to the bed, with cup attachment
Dust vac or mini vacuum
Paint staff wall hanging adhesives, print out photos

Link to these things please?
Where did you get this great list?

[Anonymous]

There are Facebook groups geared towards what to buy for dorms. Lots of good advice there.

What I got so far based on those recommendations - the blue bags from Amazon and the Woozoo fan from Costco.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will never understand why people get so mean to someone when they’re using the forum for exactly what it’s for….advice.

I will never understand why people think they need to buy the "best" of everything in this area. This stuff will get kicked around, puked on, gone through while drunk or high, stolen, pissed on, etc. Good enough is in fact, actually good enough.

Best also means the most useful. We also teach our kids to take care of their belongings.

[Anonymous]

Electric throw blanket

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will never understand why people get so mean to someone when they’re using the forum for exactly what it’s for….advice.

I will never understand why people think they need to buy the "best" of everything in this area. This stuff will get kicked around, puked on, gone through while drunk or high, stolen, pissed on, etc. Good enough is in fact, actually good enough.

Best also means the most useful. We also teach our kids to take care of their belongings.

Thank you! “Best” = most durable, easiest to lug, capacity, utility etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I just picked my son up from freshman year and outside his dorm was an overflowing dumpster filled with mattress toppers, plastic drawer units, decorative pillows, fans…..such a huge waste."
It's disgusting how entitled and overindulged many college kids are. Please stop contributing to this.

I just picked up my 2 DC's from 2 different schools, both schools had a place where you could donate all that stuff, including unopened food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody needs a "best" laundry bag. Get a hold of yourself. I'm 48 and still using two of the laundry bags my mom got me at age 17 from Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Let your kid figure out how they want to store medication. Land your helicopter.

I had a laundry bag that had a built-in hanger. It hung in my closet. Pretty convenient. I used it for years after. Great for collecting small items like socks.