Apartment Cleaning Checklist [Apartment Cleaning Guide]

Has the apartment of your dream started to look a little dusty or drab because you haven’t been tackling cleaning chores the way you should? We have created an apartment cleaning checklist that will walk you through all of the steps to make your space shine. 

Our step-by-step apartment cleaning guide will help you tackle even the toughest dirt and grime. 

How Often Should You Clean Your Apartment?

To keep your apartment clean you should clean daily and, at least once a week, thoroughly clean the entire space. Cleaning once a week takes less time than cleaning once a month because you’re handling the job in bite-sized chunks instead of all at once. 

Instead of cleaning your apartment from top to bottom every month, you can outline specific days of the week to sweep, vacuum, and dust. However, remember if your schedule won’t permit you to clean on a weekly or bi-monthly basis, you can always enlist the help of a professional cleaning crew. 

Apartment Cleaning Checklist: The Essentials

It's time to prepare yourself with the cleaning essentials you’ll need to start your apartment cleaning checklist. 

Cleaning Products and Tools 

• Mop
• Broom
• Vacuum
• Cleaning clothes
• Spray bottle
• Toilet brush 
• All-purpose cleaner
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Laundry detergent 
• Dishwashing liquid 
• Trash bags
• Rubber gloves
• Disinfecting wipes 

Create Apartment Cleaning Zones 

It is time to break your apartment into cleaning zones so you can easily tackle each area: 

• Bathroom
• Bedroom
• Kitchen
• Living Room

Now, you do have the choice of either tackling each zone on a separate day or completing them all in one day. You’ll need to figure out a schedule that works for your particular needs. 

Now that your home has been effectively divided into four zones, it's time to start the cleaning process with our apartment cleaning checklist. 

One of the best ways to ease into an effective apartment cleaning schedule is to start small. The bathroom is often an ideal place to get your cleaning groove on. 

Cleaning Your Apartment Bathroom 

Most people will agree that the bathroom is the least pleasant room to clean. No one wants to scrub a toilet bowl but it’s a necessary task. 

Once your bathroom shines, you’ll feel a great sense of relief and pride. So roll up your sleeves, slip on the rubber gloves, and let’s get started so you can mark the room off your apartment cleaning checklist. 

Step 1: Clean the Toilet

Yep, let’s get down to business with the number one cleaning task in the bathroom - the toilet bowl. Add toilet bowl cleaner to the toilet and wait about ten minutes for the cleaning solution to break away any grime.

After a suitable amount of time has passed, you can use your toilet brush to scrub the toilet bowl clean and then flush the rest of the cleaner. 

Don’t forget to use disinfecting wipes to clean the seat, handle, and toilet bowl exterior. Also, remember to clean the base of the toilet fixture where it attaches to the floor. 

Step 2: Clean All Surfaces

It’s time to spray down the sink, countertops, shower/bath walls, and bathtub with an all-purpose cleaner that is suitable for bathrooms. Wait a few minutes before wiping the cleaner using a cleaning cloth. 

Step 3: Focus on the Shower

The shower is a popular area of the bathroom and will definitely accumulate a soap scum buildup so you’ll need to focus on cleaning the surfaces well. 

Remove the shower head and clean it with a solution of baking soda and white vinegar. This will break away hard-water buildup in the showerhead holes so the water flows nicely. 

Apply cleaner to all of the fixtures and then wipe the surfaces with a cleaning cloth. 

Scrub the shower floor with a cleaner and brush or sponge. 

Step 4: Clean the Bathroom Mirror

Use a vinegar or glass cleaner to clean the surface of the mirror in the bathroom. Wipe the cleaning solution away using a soft microfiber cloth to avoid leaving any streaks or lint on the glass surface. 

Step 5: Cleaning the Floor

Gather up all of the bath rugs and anything else that’s on the bathroom floor such as a scale. You’ll want a clean floor so you can sweep and mop. 

Depending on your floor’s surface, you’ll want to determine a solution that is safe to use. If you have tile, you might want to consider a grout cleaner to remove any mold or mildew that can accumulate in the crevices between the tiles. 

Once the floor has been thoroughly cleaned, allow it to air dry before laying the bath mats down. 

Cleaning Your Kitchen

Most apartment cleaning services will agree that one of the hardest rooms to clean is the kitchen. You not only need to clean the countertops, floor, and cabinets but also the appliances. 

To effectively clean the kitchen, you’ll want to set aside at least a day to make it sparkle. Once you have your kitchen looking good, you must clean every evening before bed to maintain the space because the kitchen experiences a lot of activity throughout the day from cooking, etc. 

Step 1: Clean the Appliances

Let’s tackle the hardest part of apartment kitchen cleaning by focusing on the appliances. You’ll want to clean the oven, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator. 

Wipe the exterior surfaces of each appliance and also clean the inside. You can use a commercial cleaner or simply mix vinegar with baking soda for a more natural cleaning solution. 

Remember to remove any expired food or leftovers from the refrigerator when cleaning the appliance. Dispose of the unwanted food into a trash bag and remember to promptly take the bag out for garbage pickup. 

Use an oven cleaner to clean the interior of your oven. Follow the directions on the oven cleaner. 

Some ovens offer self-clean features which can prove ideal for breaking away burnt-on grime. 

Step 2: Wipe Down the Cabinets and Countertops

You'll want to use a cleaning solution to wipe down the countertops and cabinets. Ideally, you should be cleaning the countertops daily because they can quickly become sticky and accumulate crumbs. 

Use disinfecting wipes to help sanitize all kitchen surfaces. Remember, countertops are where you prepare your food so you want to eliminate any harmful bacteria when cleaning. 

Step 3: Clean the Sink

You’ll want to scrub the kitchen sink using a soft-bristled brush and cleaner. Make it shine! 

If you have a stainless steel sink, use a combination of white vinegar and baking soda. Wipe the surface down with a soft cloth to prevent any scratches. 

Step 4: Clean the Floor

You’ll want to sweep and mop the kitchen floor. If you have tile, you might need to clean the grout. 

Cleaning the Bedrooms 

The easiest rooms to clean are the bedrooms. Ideally, you should be cleaning them daily by picking up your clothing, making the bed, and carrying out other small tasks. 

However, even with diligent daily cleaning, a bedroom can still become messy. You should deep clean the bedroom every week or two.

Step 1: Focus on Decluttering 

Gather up any loose shoes and clothing for later cleaning or place them in the closet/dresser. Grow anything away that you no longer use. 

Step 2: Clean the Fans, Doors, and Light Fixtures

Even with diligent daily cleaning, dust can accumulate on ceiling fans, door trims, light fixtures, and other areas. Dust the entire room. 

Clean the windows - inside and out using a window cleaner or white vinegar. 

Step 3: Clean the Flooring

You’ll need to vacuum or sweep the flooring in the bedroom. If you have hardwood or tile, then take the time to lightly mop the surface to remove any built-up dirt. 

Apartment Living Room Cleaning Steps

The last room on your apartment cleaning checklist is the living room. You’ll want to thoroughly clean the space because it's probably where you welcome guests. 

Step 1: Dust From Top to Bottom

Take a duster and start dusting the ceiling fans, light fixtures, shelving, television, and tables. Look for cobwebs or other unsightly dust areas. 

Step 2: Clean All Glass Areas

Does your furniture have glass surfaces? If so, you’ll want to wipe them down with a glass cleaner or vinegar.

When cleaning the glass, don’t forget to clean any windows. 

Step 3: Vacuum Everywhere

Vacuum the flooring and furniture to remove any dust or dander buildup. This is especially important if you have pets that can leave a trail of hair behind them on the surface of your furnishings.

If you do not have carpets, you’ll want to sweep and mop the flooring. 

Turn to the Happy Home Helpers for a Quote 

If your apartment cleaning checklist feels like it's too hard to handle then maybe it's time to enlist the help of apartment cleaning pros. 

Here's the simple truth: achieving a spotless apartment can be broken down into managing four distinct areas, one at a time. If you're familiar with the process but still find the task overwhelming, Happy Home Helpers is just a call away, ready to offer their professional and budget-friendly deep cleaning solutions.

Get a personalized professional cleaning quote from Happy Home Helpers for top-notch apartment cleaning services