The Ultimate Apartment Cleaning Checklist

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. 

Apartment Cleaning Supplies List

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

Bathroom

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

Kitchen

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

Bedroom and Closet

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

Apartment Maintenance 

From tackling quick everyday messes to deep cleaning, here’s how to stay on top of apartment upkeep year-round.

Daily Apartment Cleaning Checklist

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:

• Clean coffee maker

• Clean kitchen sink

• Clear home clutter 

• 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

Weekly Apartment Cleaning Checklist

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 garbage disposal

• Clean microwave

• 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

Monthly Apartment Cleaning Checklist

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:

• Clean baseboards

• Clean inside your oven

• Clean tile grout

• Clean windows

• Clean your fridge

• Dust light fixtures, fans, and blinds

• Launder mattress and pillowcase protectors

• Launder washable rugs 

• Clean shower curtains

• Vacuum or wipe down HVAC vents

Seasonal Apartment Cleaning Checklist

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 curtains

• Clean kitchen cabinets

• Clean or replace filters on the washer, ventilation hood, fridge, and faucets

• Clean walls

• Clear and clean your pantry 

• Deep clean mattresses

• Launder pillows and duvets

• Steam clean upholstery and carpets