Clean your entire apartment quickly and efficiently with these time-saving cleaning tips and checklists.
For those needing extra help, consider contacting “24-hour cleaning services near me“. Tackling an apartment clean strategically in sections with the right supplies can have things looking fresh in less than a day.
Create a Game Plan
- Map out areas. Break your apartment down room-by-room to assign timed blocks for cleaning. Prioritize high-traffic spots like kitchen, and bathrooms.
- Prioritize messes. Make a list deciding which areas need deep cleaning vs regular tidy-up. Address major problem zones first.
- Gather supplies beforehand. Stock up on all-purpose cleaners, tools like vacuums, mops, and anything else you’ll need to minimize back and forth.
Kitchen and Dining Room – 90 Minutes
The kitchen easily gets grimy with cooking messes and food spills. Make sure to:
- Clear counters and sink. Put away small appliances and wipe down surfaces. Check for stale crumbs and spills.
- Clean inside microwave. Remove built-up food splatters with a hot, wet cloth. Spray cleaner and wipe down walls and turntable.
- Scour the oven. Use store-bought cleaners or DIY baking soda paste for baked-on grease in oven and on stovetop.
- Empty fridge and wipe down. Toss expired items and disinfect shelves. Don’t forget door handles!
- Sweep and mop floors. Move appliances to lift dirt from the whole area. Get into corners and crevices.
Bathrooms – 60 Minutes Each
Bathrooms harbor all kinds of dirt and bacteria. Make sure to:
- Sanitize the toilet bowl. Remove stains from bowl using pumice stone. Scrub exterior porcelain toilet base.
- Disinfect sink and counters. Use antibacterial spray like Lysol all over sink, counters and faucets.
- Scrub the tub and tiles. Mix equal vinegar and dawn dish soap to cut through soap scum on tub, tiles and shower fixtures.
- Clean the mirrors. Wipe down with glass cleaner spray for a streak-free shine.
- Take out trash. Don’t forget this step to prevent odors. Replace liner.
Living Spaces and Bedrooms – 90 Minutes Each
Give shared living spaces and private bedrooms extra attention by:
- Dusting fixtures, fans and blinds. Use microfiber cloth and dusting spray for a streak-free finish on lamps, ceiling fans, bookshelves and window treatments.
- Shampooing carpets and rugs. Rent an upright carpet cleaner from a home improvement store and fill with solution. Vacuum first.
- Spot clean upholstery. Pre-treat any visible stains on fabric couches and chairs before wiping down.
- Vacuuming and mopping hard floors. Move aside furniture to access the entire area. Get into corners.
- Changing bedding. Strip beds to launder sheets, duvets and pillowcases in washing machine. Replace mattress pads if needed.
Final Touches – 30 Minutes
With the major areas looking cleaner, finish strong by:
- Removing cobwebs throughout home. Use extendable duster or broom for high corners and ceilings. Check walls for spiderwebs.
- Taking out all trash bags. Replace with fresh liners in all bins. Consolidate part-full wastebaskets.
- Restock cleaning supplies. Refill spray bottles and paper towels to prep for next cleaning session.
- Tidying up clutter. Return stray items left out to their designated places. Maintain organization.