Dennis Martell, health education services coordinator at Olin Health Center said living with a slob can be detrimental to more than just your peace of mind.

“(Living with a slob) can affect you in many ways, especially from a health perspective as far as germs and uncleanliness goes,” Martell said. “When there’s food in the fridge that can get up and move itself, that’s a problem.”

Although you might feel like tying your roommate up and hosing them down is the best solution to their hygiene problem, Martell advocates a calmer approach.

“It’s about negotiating, and that’s a tough one,” he said. “Whenever a roommate interferes with your space in a way that’s detrimental to being successful, either academically or socially, then you’ve got a problem.”

So talk with your roommate, make demands; do whatever you need to do to stay clean and healthy. Usually you’ll be able to strike a deal.

Otherwise, it might be time to grab the hose.

—Compiled by Dan Faas, The State News