Stay on target with this handy tidy-up tick-list
A compact apartment can quickly go from clean and tidy to grubby and cluttered, regardless of whether you tackle the tasks yourself or hire a cleaner. If you struggle to keep up with household chores or just like to be as productive as possible, our apartment cleaning checklist will help you plan, prioritize, and keep on track.
The supplies you need to clean an apartment depend on the surfaces of your home, your desire for sustainability, and your preferred cleaning techniques. However, the list below covers all the basics:
All-purpose cleaner
Baking soda
Bucket
Dish soap
Dustpan
EPA-approved disinfectant spray or wipes
Glass cleaner
Microfiber cloths
Microfiber mop
Paper towels
Rubber gloves
Scrubbing sponges
Sweeping brush
Toilet brush
Trash bags
White vinegar
Vacuum
Bathrooms are one of the toughest rooms in the house to keep clean, even if you’re doing regular maintenance like wiping the counters and scrubbing the toilet.
Here are the tasks to complete for a regular deep clean.
Scrub the toilet bowl
Wipe down the toilet lid, seat, base, and behind the tank
Deep clean grout and reseal if needed
Wash or replace the shower curtain liner
Descale faucets and showerheads
Wipe down bathroom cabinets and clean out old products
Polish bathroom fixtures and mirrors
Clean and sanitize the toothbrush holder and other small accessories
Dust and clean exhaust fans or vents
Wipe down baseboards and door frames
Sweep and mop the floor, paying extra attention to corners and behind the toilet
Often the highest-traffic room in the house, the kitchen has many sneaky spots where grease, crumbs, and grime tend to accumulate. This list covers your bases for a deeper clean.
Clean inside and behind the fridge and freezer
Toss expired items and wipe down the refrigerator shelves
Deep clean the oven, including racks and drawer
Degrease the stovetop, knobs, and backsplash
Wipe down range hood and replace or clean the filter
Clean inside the microwave, including the turntable and vents
Empty and wipe down pantry shelves and kitchen cabinets
Clean inside drawers and disinfect utensil trays
Sanitize sink basin, faucet, drain, and garbage disposal
Clean and descale the dishwasher filter and run a cleaning cycle
Wipe down small appliances (toaster, blender, coffee maker)
Wash and sanitize trash and recycling bins
Dust light fixtures and clean ceiling vents
Wipe baseboards, cabinet faces, and floor trim
Sweep and mop the floor, including under appliances if accessible
Whether you keep your space tidy or slightly chaotic, your bedroom and closet are bound to fall out of order occasionally. Here are the basic tasks to accomplish in your regular cleaning regime.
Rotate or flip the mattress and vacuum all sides
Wash all bedding, including duvets, shams, bed skirts, and throw blankets
Launder or replace pillows as needed
Gather and wash dirty laundry
Vacuum or sweep under the bed and behind large furniture
Wipe down headboards, nightstands, and dresser surfaces
Dust lamps, ceiling fans, decor, and picture frames
Clean inside drawers and closet shelves
Reorganize the closet and store/donate unused or seasonal clothes
Wipe down walls and baseboards
Wipe down closet doors, handles, and light switches
Wash windows, sills, and screens
Vacuum rugs and deep clean carpets or hardwood floors
Wipe down baseboards and moldings
From tackling quick everyday messes to deep cleaning, here’s how to stay on top of apartment upkeep year-round.
For your daily apartment cleaning tasks, focus on the things that get unsightly or unsanitary quickly. Studies show kitchen sinks, sponges, and pet bowls are some of the germiest things in the average apartment.
Cleaning a room fast is a skill you can hone, but how quickly your spaces get grubby depends on who lives in the apartment (including furry family members), your lifestyle, and the types of floors and furnishings you have.
Here are tasks you should consider tackling daily:
Make beds
Sanitize kitchen countertops, stovetops, and other high-touch surfaces
Sweep or vacuum high-traffic areas
Squeegee the shower screen
Wash dishes or load and unload the dishwasher
Wash pet bowls
When it comes to your weekly apartment cleaning checklist, it’s all about preventing a buildup of dust and grime. In busier homes, some of these tasks might need tackling every two or three days. If you’re a single professional out working all day, you might get away with waiting a little longer.
Here are our suggestions for weekly cleaning:
Change bedsheets
Clean toilet, bath, and other bathroom surfaces
Do the laundry
Dust furniture, shelves, and window sills
Mop hard floors
Take out garbage and clean the trash can
Replace towels
Vacuum the whole apartment
Wipe down mirrors and cabinet faces
Your monthly apartment cleaning checklist offers an opportunity to deep clean, tackling the more time-consuming tasks. Left unattended, these jobs can lead to a buildup of grime in less-obvious spots in your apartment, affecting the life span or performance of some items.
Because these tasks are often more laborious, don't try to cover them all on the same day. Spread different tasks across the month to lighten the load.
Here are some options to add to your monthly room cleaning routine:
Dust light fixtures, fans, and blinds
Launder mattress and pillowcase protectors
Launder washable rugs
Vacuum or wipe down HVAC vents
Whether you want to spruce things up in spring or do a deep clean before guests arrive for the holidays, getting stuck into these seasonal tasks every few months to a year could be beneficial. You might want to hire a house cleaner near you to help with some of these time-consuming tasks.
Clean behind your fridge, heavy furniture, and other appliances
Clean chimney and fireplace
Clean or replace filters on the washer, ventilation hood, fridge, and faucets
Clear and clean your pantry
Deep clean mattresses
Launder pillows and duvets
Steam clean upholstery and carpets