The Ultimate Apartment Cleaning Checklist

Cleaning an apartment can seem daunting, whether your doing it alone or with roommates. Where do you even start? What cleaning items do you need? How do you clean the bathtub or the kitchen sink? No need to fret. We’re here to help answer all of these questions and more. So, whether you’re moving out of a rental in Austin, moving into a new apartment in Sacramento, or your current apartment just needs a deep cleaning, we’ve prepared the ultimate apartment cleaning checklist to keep your place looking immaculate, organized, and dirt-free.

Cleaning supplies

It’ll be hard to clean your apartment if you don’t have the proper supplies. Although there are many products and tools you can use for apartment cleaning, these are some basics you’ll absolutely need.

• All-purpose cleaner
• Toilet brush
• Sponges
• Glass cleaner
• Microfiber cloth
• Vacuum cleaner
• Mop
• Broom
• Baking soda
• Duster

Apartment cleaning checklist: bathroom

The bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in any home, and it can be the biggest pain to clean if you don’t address it regularly. To avoid some of the dirty work, don’t wait until your bathroom needs a deep cleaning to finally tackle the mess. Consistently cleaning your bathroom will save time in the long run and prevent marathon cleaning sessions.

Shower or bathtub

• Thoroughly scrub the bathtub, shower, and bathroom tiles to remove soap scum. You can use a commercial cleaner to remove soap scum from the different fixtures in your bathroom. But you can also make your own with distilled white vinegar and baking soda.
• Remove and replace bottles of shampoo, conditioner, etc.

Sink, mirrors, and countertops

• Scrub and wipe down the sink and faucet.
• Use glass cleaner to wipe down the mirrors.
• Use an all-purpose cleaner to clean your bathroom countertops and surfaces.

Toilet and toilet bowl

• Use a toilet brush to clean the toilet bowl.
• Wipe down the toilet lid, tank, and handle.

Floors

• Use bleach or other heavy-duty cleaners to remove floor stains.
• Sweep and mop the floor.
• Empty trash cans regularly.

Apartment cleaning checklist: bedroom

A clean, organized bedroom can go a long way in ensuring that you get the best sleep possible each night. Here’s a simple checklist for keeping your apartment bedroom clean.

Bed

• Strip and wash bedding 
• Dust the bed frame, nightstand, and other surfaces that accumulate dust.

Closet and laundry

• Pick up dirty clothes from places that may have accumulated (chairs, the floor, etc.) and place them in a laundry hamper..
• Hang clean clothes neatly in the closet or a dresser.

Floor

• Vacuum the floor, including the closet and under the bed.

Apartment bedroom cleaning and organizing tips from the pros

Make your bed every morning. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just made. Since the bed is the focal point of the room (a bedroom without a bed would just be called a room, after all), the small action goes a long way to making you feel your space is under control. – Adulting With Jane

Keep a small box or bag designated for donation in your closet, so you’re always ready to purge items as you find they don’t fit or just don’t work well for you anymore. Once the bag or bin fills, put it in your car to drop off at your local donation center. – POP Organizing

If you organize your belongings so you can see what you have at first glance, you will gain the peace of mind you’ve been craving at home. You can use drawer organizers, drawer dividers, labeled bins, and file folding techniques to help create the structure needed to see everything in a drawer or on a shelf. – Unveil By Design

Apartment cleaning checklist: living room

The living room is where you’ll likely spend much of your downtime in your apartment. It’s also where you’ll use to host guests, so it’s one of the most important rooms to keep clean and tidy.

Windows

• For clean windows, use a microfiber cloth and window cleaner.
• Dust around your windows. If you have blinds over your windows, don’t forget to dust them as well.
• Rather than letting them air dry, dry your windows with a microfiber cloth to avoid water marks.

Furniture and floor

• Dust and wipe down coffee tables, the TV stand, and any other surfaces that have accumulated dust.
• Vacuum the floor and any soft furniture.
• Wash and arrange any blankets or pillows.

Apartment cleaning checklist: kitchen

The kitchen should be a top priority when cleaning your apartment. No one wants to walk into a kitchen and see piles of dirty dishes in the sink, unwashed pots on the stove, and food scraps lying around (although rats and mice may not mind). The best culinary creations come from a clean kitchen, so here’s how to keep yours spotless.

Sink

• To clean your sink, start by cleaning the basin, faucet, and handles. 
• Coat the wet sink with baking soda, then use a sponge to scrub the sink with soap and hot water.
• Start from the sides and work your way toward the drain.
• To clean the drain, mix baking soda and white vinegar together and pour it over the drain.

Stove

• To clean your stovetop, first use an old sponge and/or scouring pad to remove any dirt and grime. Then, rinse the stove with water and wipe it down.
• If you have a gas stove, don’t forget to clean the burners and grates.
• To clean your oven, first use an oven cleaner to remove any interior grime. Spray the oven’s interior with a cleaner and use a scraper to remove any grease and grime.

Countertops

• Mix warm water and dish soap, and then clean counters with a microfiber cloth or paper towel.
• Wash countertop appliances like the coffee machine and blender.

Floor

• Sweep the kitchen floor before you begin mopping.
• Mop with warm, soapy water.

Refrigerator

• Empty out all the contents of your refrigerator.
• Throw away any expired food items.
• Wipe down the doors and all the shelves.

Apartment kitchen cleaning and organizing tips from the pros

Use an attractive waterproof bin or basket to neatly contain high-use items that tend to live on your kitchen counters, such as cooking oil, salt, and pepper, or cleaning products like dish soap and all-purpose sprays. It creates a tidier, more purposeful look and feel, and it makes it easier to quickly wipe down your kitchen counter when these items are contained. – Room Service Home Organizing

Use degreaser for kitchen cabinets that are covered in grease. Put your gloves on, spray the cabinets and wipe down with water for satisfying results. – Golden Standard Enterprises

Apartment kitchens are usually smaller, which means you want to only keep what you’ll actually use. To cut down on the clutter, ask yourself how many of each item you really need. Buying too many items can create clutter. – Sunflower Strategies

Cleaning your apartment is only half the battle. The other half is keeping it clean. Using this apartment cleaning checklist will help you do both so your place always looks immaculate.