This College Student Cleaned Up After Everyone – Now Wondering If It’s Time to Leave

Imagine coming home after a long day of classes, hoping to grab a quick meal, only to find your kitchen transformed into a disaster zone that looks like a bomb went off in a greasy diner. That’s exactly the daily reality for one Reddit user, who’s reached his breaking point living with roommates who can’t seem to lift a sponge.

Now, he’s wondering if it’s finally time to walk away from the chaos. Is he being selfish for wanting out, or are they taking advantage of his patience? The internet has opinions hotter than the scorched rice stuck to their communal pot. Let’s get into it.

When Roommate Messes Test Your Patience – Here’s the original post:

The Mess That Started It All

This 18-year-old college student, let’s call him Clean Sweep, moved in with three other guys the same age, expecting the usual dorm-room clutter, some pizza boxes, maybe a sock or two on the floor. Instead, he found himself stuck in a cycle of endless cleaning.

Every day, he’s faced with mountains of crusty dishes left overnight, counters coated in grime, and a once-brand-new oven already blackened by months of neglect. His roommates sleep until noon, cook like toddlers unsupervised, and have zero interest in cleaning up after themselves.

The final straw? His own high-quality pot, the one he bought with his hard-earned money, now permanently ruined by one of their late-night “cooking experiments.” Meanwhile, they treat his kettle and spices like shared property, never bothering to ask permission.

After four months of scrubbing while everyone else sat around gaming, Clean Sweep is exhausted. He’s seriously thinking about moving out, but part of him wonders if it’s wrong to leave them behind in a mess they don’t even seem to notice.

Expert Opinion:

If you’ve ever lived with roommates, you know how fast resentment can build when you’re the only one who cares about hygiene. Clean Sweep’s story strikes a nerve because so many people have been in his shoes, stuck doing all the cleaning just to avoid living in filth.

What makes this situation so complicated is that it’s not just about dirty dishes. It’s about respect. Clean Sweep has tried again and again to clean up after everyone, and instead of gratitude, he’s gotten apathy.

From his roommates’ perspective, maybe they see him as “the neat freak” and assume he doesn’t mind doing it. But let’s be real, no one enjoys scrubbing burnt cheese off an oven rack for the third time in a week.

A recent study from the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that nearly 65% of college roommates end up fighting over cleaning. But what tips these fights into real conflict is when one person’s efforts aren’t acknowledged, and the other side refuses to change.

Dr. Irene Levine, a psychologist who studies roommate relationships, explains, “When you’re the only one upholding basic standards of cleanliness, it creates a power imbalance that quickly becomes toxic.” Clean Sweep isn’t just tired, he feels like his roommates don’t respect him or the home they share.

Why Everyone’s Debating This

Here’s where the debate comes in. Some people think Clean Sweep should walk out and never look back. After all, he’s young, this is college, and no one deserves to live in a pigsty just because other people refuse to grow up.

Others argue he should sit everyone down, lay out a cleaning schedule, and give them one last chance to step up. If he leaves without warning, it could damage friendships, and his roommates might not be able to afford the rent without him. Is it fair to pull the rug out from under them, even if they brought it on themselves?

And then there’s the question of boundaries. His roommates have been using his things without asking, wrecking them, and expecting him to foot the bill for their mess. Is that reason enough to cut ties entirely?

What Could Help

Before packing his bags, Clean Sweep could try a final house meeting. He could clearly explain that he’s not their maid, set rules about sharing items, and propose a cleaning schedule. If they ignore him again, at least he’ll know he gave them every chance to do better.

But no one can blame him for wanting out. He’s already given more effort than most people would, and it’s clear this living situation is wearing him down emotionally.

Reddit’s weighing in, and the comments are as fiery as that ruined pot.

Most commenters agree you’re NTA and say leaving might be exactly what your roommates need to grow up:

Here’s what other Reddit users think about your messy roommates:

Reddit users had plenty to say about this messy situation, and most agreed you shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting out. Here are some of their top reactions:

Are these Redditors cooking up wisdom or just stirring the pot? You decide!

Clean Sweep’s dilemma is the ultimate roommate test, how long should you put up with people who refuse to grow up? Is it better to leave and protect your peace, or stick it out for the sake of the friendship and hope they change?

If you were in his shoes, would you pack your bags or try to salvage the situation one more time?

Drop your thoughts below, this is one roommate drama everyone has an opinion about.