How to Clean an Apartment Checklist

If you've ever wanted to know how to clean an apartment, this list will walk you through the process step by step.

Dust

Dust is inevitable. It comes in through doors through windows, on the bottom of shoes and clothing. Dusting weekly will reduce the need for more serious deep cleanings. Use the right tools, a vacuum cleaner with a long attachment and microfiber cloths will remove the dust from your apartment not just spread it around. Dust the obvious and not so obvious.

• Table surfaces


• Chairs


• Televisions


• Windowsills


• Wallpaper


• Ceiling fans


• Corner cobwebs

Floors

Floors can collect more than dirt, pick up anything that shouldn't be on the floor and put it in its correct place or room.

• Vacuum carpets and rugs


• Mop or wash tile or wood floors (do the kitchen separately)

Trash

When you live in a small space, learning how to clean an apartment and keep it clean becomes doubly important; take out the trash as often as possible, daily if you can.

• Throw away any piles of papers or junk mail


• Take out kitchen and bathroom trash


• Replace bags on all waste baskets (its a good idea to leave a few extra bags at the bottom for next time)

Kitchen

The kitchen is probably the toughest room in the apartment to get and keep clean. Do the work upfront and then try to maintain as you go. This will keep you from getting overwhelmed.

• Wash the dishes daily (collect any dishes in other rooms)


• Clean out the refrigerator (thrown away any expired item and old leftovers, wipe clean any spill remnants inside, wipe down the outside and the handle)


• Clean/scrub countertops


• Shake out crumbs in toaster


• Wipe down appliances (including microwave inside and out)


• Clean/scrub stovetop


• Clean any obvious spots on the walls


• Sweep up floor for crumbs and debris


• Mop or wash floor


• Scrub sink

Bathroom

The bathroom should be cleaned on a weekly basis. Any longer than that, and it can turn into a disgusting job.

• Use mildew remover on shower and bath


• Disinfect the toilet


• Scrub the sink


• Mop the floor

Bedroom

The biggest mess maker in the bedroom is probably dirty laundry. Make sure you have a big enough hamper so have a place to put your dirty clothes until laundry day.

• Change the linens (weekly)


• Make the bed (daily)


• Keep trash and dishes out of the bedroom


• Neatly stack any magazines or reading materials


• Air out the room (open the windows)

Now that you know how to clean an apartment, you need to ask yourself if you have the right systems set in place to help you keep that apartment looking clean and uncluttered. Sometimes what your apartment needs is not so much a cleaning, but a decluttering.

Do you have stuff in your house that you don't use, but you can't seem to let go? Does your apartment feel smaller than when you first moved in? Are you stressed out or embarrassed to have people over? It's probably time to declutter not clean.