Keeping your apartment clean can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! With some planning and a few simple steps, you can keep your apartment sparkling clean without spending all your free time scrubbing. Here is an easy 5 step process to clean your entire apartment from top to bottom.
Step 1: Declutter and Organize
The first step to cleaning is getting organized. Clutter makes cleaning much more difficult and time-consuming. Go through each room and declutter by:
Get Rid of Unneeded Items
- Go through all closets, shelves, drawers etc. and remove anything you haven’t used in over a year.
- Donate or sell usable items.
- Toss out broken, expired or useless items.
Find a Place for Everything
- Give all your belongings a “home” – designate drawers, shelves or boxes for specific items.
- Group like items together – office supplies in one drawer, cosmetics in one bin.
- Organize shelves and drawers so things you use often are easily accessible.
Deep Clean as You Go
- As you declutter each area, do a deep clean.
- Wipe down shelves, scrub drawers, vacuum dust.
- Getting rid of dust and grime now will make future cleaning easier.
Taking the time to declutter and organize first means you won’t have to work around mountains of stuff when cleaning later.
Step 2: Clean from Top to Bottom
Once decluttered and organized, it’s time to clean. Work from the top of your apartment down for best results:
Dust All Surfaces
- Use a microfiber cloth and dusting spray for wood and plastic surfaces.
- Use a dusting wand attachment for ceiling fans, wall hangings etc.
- Don’t forget lamps, TVs, frames and knick-knacks.
Vacuum All Floors Thoroughly
- Use the wand attachment to vacuum couches, chairs, baseboards, vents etc.
- Remove couch cushions and vacuum under them.
- Lift area rugs and vacuum the floors underneath them.
Clean All Windows and Mirrors
- Use glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth or newspaper.
- For stubborn dirt, try 50/50 vinegar and water solution.
- Don’t forget window sills and tracks.
Scrub All Bathrooms
- Clean sinks, showers, tubs and toilets thoroughly with a bathroom cleaner.
- Wipe down all surfaces – mirrors, counters, floors.
- Disinfect and shine faucets and shower heads.
Sweep and Mop All Floors
- Sweep first to remove dirt and debris.
- Mop using a floor cleaner suited to your floor type.
- For linoleum or vinyl, use a disinfecting cleaner weekly.
By cleaning methodically from top to bottom, you won’t spread dust and dirt from high surfaces to already cleaned lower ones.
Step 3: Target Problem Areas
Some areas need special attention for a deeper clean. Make sure to scrub these common problem spots:
Kitchen
- Clean appliances inside and out – refrigerators, ovens, microwaves.
- Disinfect sinks, counters, cutting boards, trash cans.
- Descale kettles and coffee makers.
- Wipe down cabinets and drawers inside and out.
Bathroom
- Disinfect shower curtains, bath mats, towels. Wash if needed.
- Clean scale, mildew and mold from tile grout.
- Clean hair and gunk from drains.
- Scrub toilet bowl and base. Disinfect exterior toilet surfaces.
Electronics
- Carefully clean TV, computer and phone screens.
- Use compressed air to remove dust from keyboards, vents etc.
- Clean gaming system controllers and accessories.
Floors
- Tackle stains on carpets and rugs.
- Steam clean carpets if very dirty.
- Disinfect garage and basement concrete floors.
Targeting these common problem zones means they will be cleaner for longer next time.
Step 4: Clean Bed Linens
One often forgotten part of cleaning an apartment is washing bed linens regularly, including:
Wash Sheets Weekly
- Strip sheets and pillowcases and wash in hot water once a week.
- Wash duvet covers every 2-3 weeks.
Wash Comforters Monthly
- Take comforters to the laundromat once a month and wash alone on gentle cycle.
- Use an oversized washer and dryer.
Rotate Mattresses
- Rotate and flip mattresses every 3-6 months to prevent uneven wear.
- Use this time to vacuum mattresses thoroughly.
Wash Pillows Twice a Year
- Machine wash pillows twice a year – they collect dust, oil and dirt.
- Use hot water and extra rinse cycle. Dry thoroughly.
Don’t neglect bed linens – washing them regularly improves cleanliness, hygiene and your sleep!
Step 5: Create a Schedule
Maintaining a clean apartment is much easier when you get on a regular cleaning schedule. Create a manageable routine:
Daily Tasks
- Do a quick tidy of clutter – put things away.
- Wash dishes and wipe counters.
- Take out trash and recycling.
Weekly Chores
- Vacuum and mop floors.
- Clean bathrooms – sinks, showers, toilets, mirrors.
- Change bed linens.
Monthly Jobs
- Dust all surfaces thoroughly.
- Descale appliances and shower heads.
- Clean windows, baseboards, light fixtures.
Every 3 Months
- Declutter, organize and deep clean one area or room.
- Shampoo carpets.
- Wash comforters and mattress protectors.
Twice a Year
- Do a thorough deep clean of entire apartment.
- Steam clean carpets.
- Wash all linens including pillows and blankets.
Creating set days to tackle certain tasks takes the guesswork out of cleaning. Stick to your schedule for an always clean apartment!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Your Apartment
Cleaning your apartment thoroughly but efficiently can seem tricky. Here are answers to some common questions on keeping your space sparkling clean:
What are the best cleaning products for an apartment?
Look for all-purpose cleaners that can be used in multiple rooms on various surfaces. Good options are Method All-Purpose Cleaner, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Cleaner or Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. Keep separate glass and bathroom cleaners.
How can I add cleaning to my busy schedule?
Break cleaning tasks into daily, weekly and monthly jobs. Do little daily tidying tasks to prevent big messes. Set reminders on your phone for cleaning days. Do cleaning tasks while on hold, during commercials or on your commute.
What is the quickest way to clean an apartment?
Focus first on visible areas like floors, kitchen and bathrooms. Save tasks like dusting blinds or washing windows for later. Always declutter and put things away before cleaning for efficiency. Multitask by starting the dishwasher while vacuuming.
How often should you mop or vacuum?
Aim to vacuum at least once a week, especially high traffic areas. Mop kitchen and bathrooms weekly, especially if you have multiple housemates. Mop hard floors in less used rooms biweekly or monthly.
Should you clean your apartment before or after work?
It depends on your energy level! Cleaning before work ensures it gets done before you’re tired. But some people unwind by cleaning after work. Try alternating so it doesn’t feel like a chore.
Final Thoughts on Cleaning Your Apartment with Ease
While keeping an apartment clean may seem like a monumental task, breaking it down into daily, weekly and monthly cleaning sessions makes it much more manageable.
The key is consistency – stick to a routine and schedule. Don’t let cleaning pile up until your apartment feels overwhelming.
Focus on quick daily tidying first, leaving deeper cleaning tasks to designated cleaning days. Always declutter and organize before cleaning.
Pay special attention to common problem zones like kitchens, bathrooms and floors. And don’t neglect bed linens!
Follow these simple tips and you’ll be able to maintain a clean, clutter-free apartment without spending all your free time scrubbing and scrubbing. A little regular effort goes a long way to an always spotless home!