How to Keep Apartment Clean: Tips and Cleaning Checklist

How to keep apartment clean? Whether you’re a millennial parent struggling to keep clutter out of sight or a young individual who has just moved into their first individual accommodation, you’d have this million-dollar question looming over your head every time you enter your home.
After coming home from a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is scrub the floors or put away last week’s laundry. However, we’ve got some bad news for you; the longer you put off a cleaning, the messier your home gets. Sorry.

We also bear some good news, though. Here’s a detailed guide on how to keep apartment clean.

Tips to Keep Your Apartment Clean 

We’ve been in the cleaning business for quite some time. So, we know a few insider tips on keeping your apartment clean. Let’s dive in.

Deal With Clutter First

You walk into your apartment or come out of your room in the morning, and this is what you see. Your pet’s toys are scattered on the floor. The dishes from last night are still on the table. Two coffee cups are brandishing the coffee table’s tops.

Your coat – that you didn’t pay heed to as it fell off the rack – is lying on the floor. Your laptop, paperwork, and books are on the couch.

It may seem chaotic, but please do not ignore it.

When dealing with a great deal of mess, most people need help knowing where to begin. That overwhelms them too much. As a result, they end up cleaning only partially.

We recommend starting with the clutter first. Put the toys back in the basket and load up the dishwasher. Then, hang your coat where it belongs, charge the laptop, and keep the books back on the bookshelf.

Now, take a look around your apartment. That should already calm most of your nerves. Since the floors are clutter-free, why not start with vacuuming first?

Try the 15-Minute Rule.

We completely understand that you don’t want to vacuum your whole apartment after getting home from a 9 to 5 job and what seems like a million chores. We get it.

Try the 15-minute Rule instead. Here’s what you do: set a timer for 15 minutes on your phone. You have 15 minutes to tackle whatever you can. Here’s what we would do:

• Put the dishes in the sink.
• Put the clothes back in their respective places.
• Pick up clutter from the floor.
• Clear the living room couch.

You can also devote these 15 minutes to one specific task every day. Here are some ideas:

• Mondays: Sweep the kitchen counters and cabinets.
• Tuesdays: Vacuum under the living room sofas.
• Wednesdays: Dust the furniture.
• Thursdays: Wipe down the bathroom counters and mirrors.
• Fridays: Clear the mail and other paperwork.
• Saturdays: Organize the pantry.
• Sundays: Clean the stovetop.

The key is to do tasks that you would otherwise procrastinate doing. Over time, you’ll notice that keeping everything clean becomes easier once you create a schedule.

For example, if you organize your pantry every Saturday, you won’t have to deal with many items at the end of every month. Similarly, weekly deep cleanings will keep your stovetop grease-free.

Check out this video to learn more about habits that can help keep your space clean.

Get Enough Storage Spaces

Part of the reason your apartment’s so much clutter may be that you don’t have enough storage room. That’s why you’ve got baskets crammed under the bed and clothes lying around everywhere.

One way to keep things organized is to have storage spaces and compartments for everything. For example, get a wicker basket for them instead of throwing blankets and throws on the sofas.

Invest in storage boxes for your pantry and shelves for books. Storage bins also come in handy for keeping clothes, toys, extra items, and knick-knacks.

Make Your Bed Daily

Over eight out of 10 respondents in a survey said they feel more productive if they make their beds in the morning. It’s such a simple act but has excellent benefits.

Besides giving you a productivity boost, making your bed daily can keep your apartment looking clean. Even if the kitchen is in bad shape, walking into your room would give you an impression of a spotless space.

Make it your daily habit to put your pillows and blankets back in place. After making your bed, remove any cups or bottles from your bedside table.

Get Tech on Board

”Hey, Siri! How to keep apartment clean?”

We don’t know what Siri would say, but we suggest including tech other than Alexa or Siri in your cleaning routine. Robo vacuums are your best friends in this regard. They work wonders on hardwood floors and carpets alike.

Also, opt for tech-advanced appliances, such as HEPA air filters and self-cleaning blenders. They reduce your cleaning time and are also healthier in many cases.

Don’t Forget About ”Invisible” Areas

How often do you casually ignore the slime and dirt lurking behind your fridge? When was the last time your pet’s toys took a trip to the washer?

A National Sanitation Foundation study reported the following spots to have the most germs in your home, in order of most ”germiest” to least:

• Kitchen sponge
• Kitchen sink
• Toothbrush holder
• Pet Bowl
• Coffee maker reservoir

Some other ”germy” places included stove knobs, pet toys, cutting boards, and bathroom faucet handle. Anyone who knows how to keep a clean apartment would not ignore these places.

Invest In a Cleaning Caddy

You know you’re growing old when things under Amazon’s home section make you click ”Add to cart” at lightning speed. Add a cleaning caddy to your cart the next time you’re on your online shopping spree.

It will help you save a lot of time you otherwise waste looking for cleaning supplies. Stock up your cleaning caddy with the following:

• Furniture polish
• Cleaning gloves
• All-purpose cleaner
• Microfiber cloths
• Tile and grout cleaner
• Lint roller
• Carpet spot cleaner
• Dusting cloths

You can get a big caddy for all-purpose cleaning or keep a separate one in the bathroom.

How to Keep Apartment Clean: A Comprehensive Checklist

If there’s one thing you need to know about adulthood, there’s always something to clean. So, why not create a checklist? We’ve got you covered.

Kitchen Checklist

• Do the dishes.
• Wipe the surfaces, such as sinks, counters, and stovetops.
• Vacuum and sweep the floor.

Bathroom Checklist

• Wipe the sink and the counters.
• Wipe the toilet seat.
• Scrub the bowl.
• Clean the floors.
• Clean the shower.

Living Room Checklist

• Remove the clutter from the floor and the upholstery.
• Vacuum the floor and the couch.
• Organize your entertainment center surfaces and coffee table.

Bedroom Checklist

• Make your bed daily.
• Put your clothes in the closet.
• Remove clutter from your nightstand and other surfaces in the room.
• Vacuum the carpets.
• Clean the floors.

Weekly Chores Checklist

• Clean the fridge and wipe all surfaces.
• Do the laundry.
• Empty the trash cans from the bathroom and every room.
• Vacuum all floors
• Dust all surfaces.
• Change the sheets.

Monthly Chores Checklist

• Clean the windows.
• Clean your appliances, such as the toaster and coffee maker.
• Deep dust the furniture and the ceiling fans.
• Spot clean the carpet.

Sure enough, some chores might differ in your apartment based on your specific needs. If you skip a task or don’t feel like doing it, you do not need to be hard on yourself. It’s alright.

Are you a visual learner? Follow this creator on her apartment cleaning checklist completion spree.

Get a Monthly Professional Cleanup

By now, you should know how to keep apartment clean. However, every once in a while, it helps to bring the big guns in. Apartment cleaning services, like Sunlight Cleaning NY, can be at your doorstep with a single call.

Sunlight Cleaning NY provides deep cleaning services for apartments, including dusting all surfaces, tidying up your kitchen, vacuuming the carpets, and sanitizing your living space. Book us today to learn about our impeccable cleaning services.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How to Keep My Apartment Clean With Kids?

Cleaning up behind kids can be a tedious task, especially if they’re still young. The key is to deal with the mess as soon as it occurs to avoid piling up too much work. Don’t hesitate to get a nanny or a maid for extra help.

How to Keep Apartment Clean With Cats?

First, teach your pet not to get on your upholstery or bed with dirty paws. Second, pick up their toys from the floor as soon as they are done playing. Training them to stay in their designated spot instead of running around in your apartment is also important. Also, regularly vacuum and mop the floors to remove their fur and dander.

How to Keep an Apartment Clean With Minimal Effort?

Do some minimal cleaning around the apartment daily. For example, you can do your dishes daily, make your bed, remove the clutter, and do the laundry. As for deep cleaning, especially the floors and other surfaces, hire apartment cleaning services like Sunlight Cleaning deep cleaning monthly or weekly.