The traditional image of a small college dorm room with a bed, desk and a pile of dirty laundry has finally been given a makeover. Students at universities across the country now have modern furniture in larger, private rooms and no longer have to wash their laundry or clean their room.
At DePaul University in Chicago, for example, a few students are privileged to reside in what is known as Loft-Right.
Residents of Loft-Right pay more than $1,000 a month for a private bedroom in a two- or four-bedroom unit with two bathrooms. These luxurious living quarters include expansive city views, granite counter tops in the kitchen and bathroom, modern designer furniture and satellite TV. The lounge lobby includes a pool table and fireplace, and will soon have a Starbucks and a hair salon next door.
In such a fancy living environment, cleaning would only be done right if it were done by professionals. Companies such as Dorm Aid and Valet Today Campus provide the convenience of a luxurious lifestyle at reasonable prices for residents on several college campuses.Dorm Aid, which was founded on the campus of Harvard University, provides students with services that include grocery delivery, housekeeping, and laundry maintenance. The company charges $60 for a two-hour room cleaning and about $40 to wash and fold three bags of laundry.
Valet Today Campus serves universities such as DePaul, UCLA, and the Granite Tower of UNC.
Another business, Madpackers, meets a different need for its student clients for a fee that starts at $289 for an in-state move, with extra charges for packing and storage services.
All of this sounds wonderful, and a bit out of reach, but don’t feel left out. WSSU students may also enjoy the convenience of having someone perform their chores for them. Ann’s Cleaning Services of Winston-Salem, which cleans dorm rooms for the price of $60, is just one example.
The five-star company’s services include sweeping, mopping, dusting, polishing, vacuuming, and even searching for spiders.
“You do not have to worry about anything,” says owner Ann Jackson.
“We do everything, even bathrooms, and we bring our own cleaning supplies.”
Breanna Walker, a 20-year-old junior, says, “I would love to have people come in and clean my room and bathroom for me, but I do not think that I would like for anyone to touch my clothes.”
An upgraded dorm life at any university would be a great addition to the college experience. Maybe in the future, more colleges will consider improving dorms and providing cleaning and laundry services to their students.