We know, we know! Apartment cleaning probably isn’t your favorite chore. But keeping your apartment clean is a must.

Periodic cleanings can help remove harmful bacteria and allergens that accumulate in your home, allowing you to live healthier. Furthermore, living in a dirty, cluttered space can increase stress levels. We don’t know about you, but home is the last place we want to feel anxious or stressed. And lastly, not only do regular cleanings help you get your security deposit back, but they minimize the amount of work you’re up against when you do move-out. In short, it’s well worth your time to do a quick clean every so often.

Using our apartment cleaning checklist as a guide, gather these reusable cleaning supplies and get to work!

Apartment Cleaning Checklist

Keep the following supplies on hand to make your life a whole lot easier when it comes time to clean.

  • Broom
  • Disinfectant wipes
  • Duster
  • Mop
  • Multi-surface cleaner
  • Microfiber rags (You can also recycle worn out towels or shirts into rags.)
  • Rubber gloves
  • Sponge
  • Toilet brush
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Glass cleaner

Keeping Your Apartment Clean

First thing’s first. You need a plan of attack. We recommend breaking your cleaning tasks into manageable chunks. The benefit here is that once the work is organized in your mind (or on your list, if that’s how you roll), you can spread it out over the course of days or a week.

For the sake of ease, we’ve broken out cleaning tasks by common rooms, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to clean room-to-room. You can go from top to bottom, task by task, or skip all over the place if that’s what suits you. The important part isn’t what your work flow looks like, it’s simply that the work gets done.

Bathroom

Let’s get real — nobody enjoys cleaning their bathroom. While it’s a tedious task, it’s also an important one.

Bathroom cleaning basics:

  • Use glass cleaner and a cloth to remove smudges from mirrors.
  • Remove all items from the countertop and wipe it clean with a multi-surface cleaner.
  • Sweep and mop the floor.
  • Wipe down the outside of the toilet with a sponge and multi-surface cleaner.
  • Scrub the toilet bowl with toilet cleaner and a toilet brush.
  • Remove soap scum and mildew in showers or tubs with a non-abrasive bathroom-specific cleaner. (Abrasive cleaners can damage the tub/shower finish, which is why we recommend avoiding them at all costs.)
  • Clean the sink using a multi-surface cleaner. Dry with a microfiber cloth to add some shine!

Kitchen

Attention to detail makes a huge difference when cleaning a kitchen. Occasionally give all the nooks and crannies as much attention as the counter, stovetop and appliance exteriors.

  • Disinfect all countertops.
  • Clean inside and outside of your oven.
  • Clear the stovetop of any crumbs or burnt on liquids.
  • Clean out the fridge — throw out expired foods and wipe the shelves.
  • Sweep and mop the floor.
  • Run your dirty dishes through the dishwasher, put them away once they’re clean, and wipe down the inside of the dishwasher.
  • Scrub your sink and run the garbage disposal. Tip: a few ice cubes or a slice of citrus down the disposal really freshens it up!
  • Microwave a cup of water, uncovered, in a glass container for 2 minutes. Then immediately take a sponge to the inside surfaces. The steam from the water will make for much easier cleaning of this appliance.
  • Take out the trash and wipe down the inside of the trash can before adding a new bag.

Bedroom

For most people, the bedroom goes one of two ways. It’s either the tidiest room in the home — or the room that’s way out of control. If you lean towards the latter, this is how to take action.

  • Pick up everything from the floor and put in its rightful place
  • Strip the bed and wash the sheets.
  • Organize your closet.
  • Dust all surfaces (including curtains, light fixtures, and ceiling fans).
  • Vacuum the floor.

Toss out or donate anything you don’t need. Rooms get messy when there’s too much clutter and too little space. And don’t forget to check under the bed!

How Often Should You Clean Your Apartment?

Apartment cleaning is an ongoing process. Going longer between cleans means that you’ll have to work harder to get that dirt and grime up, or worse, that certain parts of your apartment might stop coming clean all together. By cleaning in small batches, often, you avoid the need for a days-long deep-cleaning session.

Ideally, you’re tidying up daily and cleaning at least once a week. However, if you’re the person who prefers big-batch deep-cleaning to daily chores, we recommend that you schedule those no more than every other month.

Apartment Cleaning Is Easier at Southern Management

Cleaning isn’t fun, but it’s made easier when you start fresh. Southern Management takes pride in maintaining beautiful, well-kept communities. What’s more, we deep-clean, paint, and refresh each apartment before every move-in.

Check out some of Southern Management’s apartment communities in the Maryland and Virginia regions. Want to see for yourself? We regularly host open houses so you can tour your dream apartment before making any decisions. We hope to see you there!