Teenagers need to learn how to look after themselves, and cleaning their rooms is part of that. t’s a basic responsibility and a skill they’ll need as adults. So how can you get your teen to keep their room clean, or at least somewhat less disgusting? Here’s some advice from the experts:

If you can smell your teen’s room down the hall — because of old food or old laundry — that’s not sanitary, And it could even conceivably pose some health problems.” Like what?

•  Mold. Depending on the weather, it won’t take long for mold to start growing on a half-eaten sandwich. Large amounts of mold could actually affect the air quality and aggravate a person’s allergies or asthma.
•  Insects and other pests. As you’ve no doubt already said to your teen a thousand times, dirty dishes attract insects — like ants and cockroaches — as well as other pests like mice and rats. Dust mites can thrive in clutter. Finding any of these creatures in your house is disgusting. But some can carry disease as well as trigger allergies and asthma.
•  Bacteria and other fungi. Some nasty things can grow on unwashed, damp clothing in a messy room. And if your teen keeps wearing the clothes pulled off the floor rather than out of the bureau, they could develop rashes and other problems — like jock itch, which is caused by a fungus.