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

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