| #### **Housemate Harmony:** To facilitate living in a shared apartment, it’s always advisable to organize yourself. Discuss with your mates who cleans what and when. It’s easy to hang a sheet of paper on the fridge door so everyone is reminded of their duties. | #### [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2025-12/gSShousemate-harmony.png) |
| #### **Waste Disposal:** Try to be organized about the garbage. Collect waste separately: waste paper and carton, as well as normal garbage bags are collected at different times in the month (for the specific schedule check the disposing plan in your apartment), glass and PET have to be brought to special containers, which are distributed all over the city. | #### [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/waste-disposal.png) |
| #### **Share the Space, Clean the Base:** Clean up after eating, so the dishes and pans are ready for the next user. | #### [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/share-the-space-clean-the-base.png) |
| #### **Think Before You Leave:** Switch off electric appliances and lamps when not in use. | #### [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/think-before-you-leave.png) |
| #### **Mindful Water Use:** Keep in mind not to waste water, because that could mean higher costs of rent. | #### [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/8VAmindful-water-use.png) |
| #### **Respecting Shared Spaces After a Party:** Whenever having a party in the apartment, make sure, people help to clean up before leaving or clean up yourself the next day, so you don’t annoy your roommates. | #### [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/respecting-shared-spaces-after-a-party.png) |
| #### **Respecting Quiet Hours:** Keep in mind that in Switzerland after 10pm too much noise can result in a police complaint. | #### [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/respecting-quiet-hours.png) |
| #### **Shared Space, Shared Respect:** Don’t leave your personal stuff all around the living room as this is annoying for your roommates. | #### [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/shared-space-shared-respect.png) |
| #### **Shoes Off, Comfort On:** Take off your shoes whenever you’re in the apartment, store them nicely. | #### [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/shoes-off-comfort-on.png) |
| #### **Keep Passages Free:** Do not place stuff as well as garbage in the hallway and staircase. Escape routes must remain clear. | #### [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/keep-passages-free.png) |
| #### **No Smoking:** It’s strictly forbidden to smoke!! | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/CFqno-smoking.png) |
| #### **Clean Sink & Shower:** After washing your hair and/or shaving remove hair from the sink and shower-/bath tub. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/clean-sink-shower.png) |
| #### **Keep the Water Flowing:** Clean the drain pipe in the sink and shower-/bath tub on a regular basis. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/keep-the-water-flowing.png) |
| #### **Bin it, don't flush it!:** Don’t throw it into the toilet, throw it into the garbage bin. Items such as tampons, wet wipes and hair can cause a blockage in the toilet. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/bin-it-dont-flush-it.png) |
| #### **Never pour food leftovers or grease down the sink:** Don’t pour sauces, oil, lard, soup, milk products, or any leftover food down the drain as this causes the drain to clog up quickly. Removing these clogs can get quite expensive and will cause a lot of unnecessary inconvenience to you and your flatmates. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/never-pour-food-leftovers-or-grease-down-the-sink.png) |
| #### **Dispose of waste oil using the PET bottle method:** For the correct disposal of waste oil, you can collect it in an old PET bottle instead of pouring it away. Once the bottle is full, dispose of the carefully closed PET bottle in the official St. Gallen garbage bags to keep the environment and the pipes clean. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/dispose-of-waste-oil-using-the-pet-bottle-method.png) |
| #### **Monitor the drainage and act early:** Please keep an eye on how the water drains. If you notice that the water is starting to drain slower than usual, it is your responsibility to address the issue or report it before the pipe becomes completely blocked. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/AgKmonitor-the-drainage-and-act-early.png) |
| #### **Optional home remedy for minor maintenance:** For minor maintenance, some residents choose to use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda (one cup of vinegar followed by half a cup of baking soda, left for 30 minutes). Please note that this is a voluntary suggestion for light maintenance only; the use of any home remedies or cleaning agents is at your own risk, and the landlord assumes no liability for damages resulting from these methods. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/optional-home-remedy-for-minor-maintenance.png) |
| #### **Contact Homestay AG for professional help:** If you are unsure or if the drain remains sluggish, contact Homestay AG immediately to arrange professional cleaning. Please be aware that the costs for unclogging pipes caused by the improper disposal of food leftovers, oil, or milk products will be invoiced to you. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/FG7contact-homestay-ag-for-professional-help.png) |
| #### **Oven cleaner:** Shake contents well. Spray evenly on all surfaces in the oven. Leave for one hour or longer. For stubborn stains leave overnight. Then wipe off using a soft cloth. Don’t use with self-cleaning ovens! | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/oven-cleaner.png) |
| #### **Kitchen Surface Care:** Keep your kitchen sparkling with our fat-dissolving all-purpose cleaner, perfect for countertops and appliances. It effectively removes grease and grime for a hygienic finish. Important: This detergent is for surfaces only and must not be used on floors. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/kitchen-surface-care.png) |
| #### **Cleaning detergent for:** Electric ceramic hob, chrome surfaces. Wipe on with a soft cloth, and then wipe off again until the surface is shiny, clean and spotless. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/cleaning-detergent-for.png) |
| #### **Ceramic scraper for the electric hob:** Only to be used on ceramic surfaces when needed. Clean after every use otherwise it becomes rusty and can’t be used anymore. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/ceramic-scraper-for-the-electric-hob.png) |
| #### **Dishwasher tabs:** Place one tab in the tab compartment of the dishwasher before every use. Please note: under no circumstances should you use any other type of washing-up liquid. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/dishwasher-tabs.png) |
| #### **Bathroom cleaner:** To be used in the bathroom. Spray on the required surfaces e.g. shower, sink, bathtub and tiles. Once cleaned with the bathroom cleaner use a dry clean cloth to enhance the surfaces of the shower, sink, bathtub and tiles. Failure to do this will result in smudges. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/bathroom-cleaner.png) |
| #### **Toilet cleaner:** Spray the cleaner under the toilette seat, in the toilet and on the outside of the toilet seat. Clean with a clean cloth, and then use a dry cloth to wipe away any residue. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/toilet-cleaner.png) |
| #### **Glass cleaner / Window cleaner:** Spray on surfaces and use a kitchen roll for the best results. To remove a buildup of residue clean the glass/window first with some soapy water. Then spray the glass/window surfaces and wipe clean with some kitchen roll or clean cloth. One tip is to clean the glass using nothing but newspaper. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/glass-cleaner-window-cleaner.png) |
| #### **General Waste:** In Switzerland, you cannot just use any plastic bag for your general trash. You must use official, taxed garbage bags (commonly called *Gebührensäcke*). The cost of waste disposal is included in the price of these bags. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-07/DVUimg-9015.jpg) |
| #### **What goes here:** Anything that cannot be recycled (hygiene products, dirty food packaging, broken household items, etc.). | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-07/pZqimg-9006-2.jpg) |
| #### **Where to buy them:** At the cash register or customer service desk of any major supermarket (Migros, Coop, Denner, Aldi, Lidl). You have to ask the cashier for them. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-07/g1Bimg-9013.jpg) |
| #### **How much:** They come in different sizes (usually 17, 35, or 60 liters). And normal you need the 35 liter bags wich is a roll of 10 bags. Since Homestay doesn't pay for these costs, you should discuss who will cover them in the flatshare early on. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-07/CLsimg-9011.jpg) |
| #### **Where to dispose of it:** #### You generally have two options: #### Option A (Underground Containers): You can drop your waste into nearby underground containers (*Unterflurcontainer*) at any time. Tip for students: In St. Gallen there are special Bags only four the Underground Containers for the half Price! Of course you can also put the official bag in the containers. #### [Underground bins, City of St. Gallen](https://stadt-stgallen.opendatasoft.com/explore/dataset/unterflurbehalter/map/?flg=de-ch&location=13,47.42569,9.3592&basemap=jawg.streets) #### Option B (Street Collection): You can place your tied official bag on the sidewalk or at designated street corners once a week. This must only be done on specific collection days (usually early in the morning or the evening before). You can check the exact collection days and schedules for your specific area here: [Waste collection timetable for the City of St. Gallen](https://www.stadt.sg.ch/home/raum-umwelt/abfall-entsorgung/Abfuhrplan.html) | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-07/yFaimg-9012.jpg) |
| #### **When to dispose of it:** You can dispose of your waste in the underground containers at any time, and on the street you can check the exact collection days and schedules for your specific area here: [Waste collection timetable for the City of St. Gallen ](https://www.stadt.sg.ch/home/raum-umwelt/abfall-entsorgung/Abfuhrplan.html)or in the City of St. Gallen app. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-07/img-9016-2.jpg) |
| #### **Important Notice:** Please note that storing garbage bags inside the apartment or on the balcony is strictly prohibited for hygienic reasons. Garbage bags must be disposed of directly. Non-compliance may result in a fine. | [](https://docs.homestay-ag.ch/uploads/images/gallery/2026-07/img-9019.jpg) |