Anonymous
Post 07/12/2025 10:20     Subject: can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

Anonymous wrote:What about packing some cleaning supplies for dorm room? A small hand held vacuum? Dust pan? Spray bottles? (meyers?)


Boys?

Don't bother. Just send disinfectant wipes.
Anonymous
Post 07/12/2025 09:59     Subject: can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

If you are talking toilet brushes, I hope you mean the disposable wand kind. A plunger is probably practical, too.

Take a photo of the control panel of the washer and dryer they can use….and might use. That way, when you get questions about what cycle to choose, you can answer. A smart mom with two sons at Duke taught me this. Brilliant!
Anonymous
Post 07/12/2025 09:53     Subject: can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

This is when you miss the old Bed, Bath and Beyond. They had lists. They would deliver to your college store even if you shopped at your home store. College shopping was what they were made for!! Pole lamps. Mini fridges. Shower caddies. I do not know what we would have done w/o BBB.

It was not clear whether I would fit into the car with all the BBB stuff. Fortunately, we left something home and I made the cut!
Anonymous
Post 07/12/2025 09:52     Subject: can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

Anonymous wrote:I sent my my kids to camps on college campus with almost nothing. But that was for a couple weeks. Buying for this year and next (two year on campus commitment min,), my math is different.

Duvet vs comforter depends on your kid. My kids have done their own laundry for so long, including duvet covers, they can make this call.

fleece blanket mom seems dug in, but there's no right answer.


Exactly this. And not judgy/snarky/smug/condescending. Well stated.
Anonymous
Post 07/12/2025 09:45     Subject: can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

I sent my my kids to camps on college campus with almost nothing. But that was for a couple weeks. Buying for this year and next (two year on campus commitment min,), my math is different.

Duvet vs comforter depends on your kid. My kids have done their own laundry for so long, including duvet covers, they can make this call.

fleece blanket mom seems dug in, but there's no right answer.
Anonymous
Post 07/12/2025 09:36     Subject: Re:can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

Anonymous wrote:Why are folks so against duvets? It’s hard to wash comforters but so easy to wash duvet covers.


No one is going to wash this. I had a thin comforter in college and only remember washing that when I got vomit on it. And I’m a clean girl who did clean my dorm.

Did any of you send your kids to camp at college dorms ever? My youngest is at one now. I’m planning on sending the same minimal stuff for DS when he goes, plus a cheap topper. Anything else can be bought later.

Amazon sheets, pillow, blanket or thin comforter, 2 towels, mesh shower caddy (DD likes for camp- don’t think DS will need or want), clothes
Anonymous
Post 07/12/2025 09:09     Subject: can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

facilities has vacuums etc. they can use those if they ask. (some kids not equipped to ask, I realize)
Anonymous
Post 07/12/2025 07:24     Subject: can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

What about packing some cleaning supplies for dorm room? A small hand held vacuum? Dust pan? Spray bottles? (meyers?)
Anonymous
Post 07/12/2025 06:55     Subject: Re:can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

If the dorm desk doesn’t have a hutch, it’s very helpful to get one. Super cheap mini hutch/ shelf organizer things on Amazon or ikea. Creates more space to hold things rather than in a big pile on the desktop.
Anonymous
Post 07/12/2025 06:44     Subject: can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

My kid didn't want a mattress topper. Picked out most stuff at Target. Made kid come with me to take some ownership. You can also get most stuff bundled from Amazon.
Anonymous
Post 07/11/2025 22:18     Subject: can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

Anonymous wrote:The two fleece blankets poster is weirdly insistent on her position. My son would literally no give a s— between a comforter and a fleece blanket. I don’t think he’d want 2 because it would never occur to him to take it out of a bin. And comforters take up the same amount of space as a fleece blanket. Anyway. Let a thousand flowers bloom. If you go to Costco, they have a very cozy fuzzy blanket that is super cheap. My teens love that Costco blanket.


right? washing a blanket vs washing a comforter? who cares!! also when someone said fluffing their comfortable, I assume they meant the whip over the bed move. Same move as a kid uses to throw a fleece blanket over the bed

I do sort of love how it's always a FLEECE blanket. lol
Anonymous
Post 07/11/2025 22:14     Subject: Re:can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why are folks so against duvets? It’s hard to wash comforters but so easy to wash duvet covers.


No bioy and a lots of girls are not taking off the cover and struggling to put back on the shell. It is not going to happen so let it go. Also they are really hot. If up north it is still hot in early fall and mostly no AC and the heat when on also hotZ Just get a blanket and quilt that you do not have to wash. Accept it because otherwise it is a smelly mess.


my kids - including boys - have done this since they were 12. smelly mess? huh?
Anonymous
Post 07/11/2025 22:12     Subject: Re:can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

Anonymous wrote:Just learned my freshman boy will be in quad with a private bathroom. What's the minimal cleaning stuff you'd send with him?


Disinfecting wipes, toilet brush, toilet bowl cleaner.
Anonymous
Post 07/11/2025 21:59     Subject: can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

Anonymous wrote:I put it all in my shopping cart and it was $600. and that's on sale.

I dont need to save money, but do I need to go "nice" on everything? do I need it all?

mattress topper - can I go cheaper? like a $50 one or do I get the $150 one. or even the 250 one
mattress pad - this can be basic, right. and do you do a topper and a pad?
comforter vs duvet and cover (which is a lot more, but nicer)
sheets and towels - i can manage this part.


My son doesnt care about bedding.




Why are you asking us how fancy your son’s mattress topper should be?

I have no idea how some DCUM posters raised children to adulthood.
Anonymous
Post 07/11/2025 21:52     Subject: can someone just tell me the dorm stuff to buy

i would get a quilt instead of a comforter for easy washing. you have a boy and it is possible his bedding will never be washed, though.

mattress toppers ARE necessary.

boys don't need much. they want something for their bed and barely care what it is. a flag for the wall and their tv or video game of choice.