Keeping your apartment clean is no small feat. With busy schedules and small living spaces, it’s easy for clutter and dust to accumulate. But not to worry – with these 20 easy tips, you can quickly clean your apartment and maintain a tidy living space without sacrificing too much of your time.
1. Make a Cleaning Schedule
Make a cleaning schedule that outlines the tasks you want to do in each room, such as vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing the kitchen surfaces, and mopping the floors. Include specific times dedicated to each task and prioritize tasks requiring more effort or time.
2. Set a Timer
Set a timer for each task to ensure you don’t overwork yourself while cleaning and stay on track with your cleaning schedule. This way, you can also keep the time of how long it took you to clean each room and adjust your cleaning schedule accordingly in the future.
3. Focus on One Room at a Time
When focusing on one room at a time, make sure you move from top to bottom when doing the cleaning. For example, start by dusting shelves and other high surfaces, then move onto furniture like couches and beds before finishing with floors. To ensure nothing is missed during the process, use a checklist of everything that needs to be done in the room.
4. Declutter
The most critical step in maintaining a clean and organized apartment is decluttering. Removing unnecessary items from your living space makes it visually appealing and allows you to clean every nook and corner efficiently. This process involves sorting and organizing your belongings while discarding or donating the stuff you no longer need. Also, consider categorizing your possessions into piles like "keep," "donate," "sell," and "dispose of."
If you are not quite ready to part with some items but still want to maintain a clutter-free environment, our company Juujbox offers secure storage bins where you can temporarily or permanently store your belongings. It's a convenient solution to streamline your living space while holding onto essential items. In addition, we handle the pickup and delivery of your items for free.
5. Gather Your Supplies
Before diving into the cleaning process, check and make sure you've gathered all the necessary cleaning supplies. This would typically include items such as a broom, mop, vacuum cleaner, duster, cleaning cloths, sponges, paper towels, and cleaning solutions like all-purpose, window, and floor cleaners.
Stocking up on eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaning products is also a great way to promote a healthy living environment while minimizing carbon footprint. In addition, having your supplies on hand will streamline the cleaning process and reduce disruptions caused by needing to search for a missing item.
6. Use a Vacuum With Attachments
Cleaning your apartment thoroughly is only complete with a powerful vacuum cleaner with various attachments. A vacuum with multiple accessories lets you clean different surfaces effectively, whether carpets, hard floors, or upholstered furniture. A detachable hose and extension wand vacuum cleaner is perfect for reaching any hidden dust bunnies lurking in the farthest corners or underneath heavy furniture.
Additionally, look for attachments like the crevice tool, which is excellent for cleaning tight spaces and narrow edges, or a soft brush attachment on delicate surfaces. Finally, vacuum all areas of your apartment, including the baseboards, ceiling fans, air vents, and window sills.
7. Use a Microfiber Cloth
Microfiber cloths are reusable, eco-friendly, and highly effective because they attract and hold onto dust and dirt particles. They can be used for cleaning your apartment, such as wiping down countertops, mirrors, and windows. In addition, microfiber cloths can effectively remove up to 99% of bacteria from surfaces, making them an essential tool for a thorough and hygienic cleaning.
8. Clean as You Go
Instead of letting clutter and dirt accumulate throughout the week, make it a habit to tidy up and clean as you go about your daily routine. Doing this can prevent a backlog of chores and make your apartment consistently presentable. For example, spend a few minutes clearing the countertops and washing the dishes after cooking dinner.
9. Dust Regularly
Dusting should be done at least once a week to keep your apartment looking fresh and maintain good indoor air quality. Use a good-quality duster or microfiber cloth, and always dust from top to bottom so you do not have to backtrack. Areas prone to accumulating dust, such as shelves, blinds, and electronic appliances, should be given special attention.
10. Use a Squeegee to Clean Shower Doors and Tiles
Shower doors and tiles are notorious for accumulating soap scum, hard water stains, and mildew. A squeegee can be a highly effective cleaning tool for maintaining the cleanliness of these surfaces. After each shower, wipe down the door and tiles with the squeegee to remove excess water and minimize buildup.
11. Keep Your Cleaning Supplies Organized
You can invest in a cabinet organizer to keep your cleaning supplies in the same place. This way, you won’t waste time finding what you need when it's time to start scrubbing. Also, ensure each brush and cleaner has its own space so you can quickly grab whatever tool you need without searching through a cluttered mess of products.
12. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar to Clean Tough Stains
Baking soda is multi-purpose and can be used as an all-natural solution to scrub hard-to-clean areas like ovens or tiles. In addition, vinegar is excellent for cutting through grease and other harsh residues, making it a great addition to any cleaning routine. Combine baking soda with white vinegar for a powerful cleaning solution that won’t damage any surfaces in your home. This was always one of the most powerful tools in your grandmother's arsenal.
13. Don’t Forget About the Floors and Glass
Regularly mop any tiled floors in your apartment with mild detergent and warm water. Vacuuming carpets should also become part of your weekly routine to help keep them looking their best. For hardwood floors, make sure to use an appropriate cleaner that won't strip away the finish or color of the wood, such as a combination of liquid soap and water.
For glass, our family loves using the Sprayway glass cleaner. It does a great job of quickly cleaning the windows without leaving stains on the glass.
14. Clean Your Kitchen Sink and Counters
Keeping these areas germ-free is essential in a healthy home environment. First, remove any debris from counters and sinks with a damp cloth or sponge before using an all-purpose cleaner/sanitizer explicitly made for surfaces like these. Wipe down thoroughly with a clean cloth afterward – paying particular attention to crevices like sink drains –and rinse away residue if needed.
15. Wipe Down Your Appliances
Appliances are magnets for dust, grease, and fingerprints, so wiping them down regularly is essential. You can start by unplugging your devices and using a damp, soapy cloth or sponge to clean the surfaces gently. You can use a mild cleanser or a mix of water and vinegar for stubborn dirt.
Remember to wipe down the inside of your microwave, dishwasher, oven, and fridge, as they can accumulate bacteria, spills, and odors. Additionally, cleaning your refrigerator's coils at least twice a year can save energy and prevent potential breakdowns.
16. Use a Lint Roller to Clean Pet Hair
Do you have a dog? We have a dog, and this one is ours. Pet hair gets trapped in various areas around your apartment, leaving you with unsightly clumps on your furniture, clothes, and carpets. One easy trick to collect pet hair is using a lint roller with sticky sheets. Roll over upholstered furniture or bedspreads, and you'll be surprised at how much hair it can pick up.
We also love this reusable pet hair remover that is reusable, and it works well on the surface of our couches and pillows.
17. Use a Toothbrush to Clean Small Spaces
Don't throw that old toothbrush away! A toothbrush is a versatile cleaning tool that can easily reach and clean small, hard-to-reach spaces in your apartment. Think about the crevices around your sink and faucet or the grooves of your stove knobs; these are the perfect spots for a toothbrush to shine. Dip the bristles into a solution of warm, soapy water or vinegar and water mix; then gently scrub the area until the dirt lifts away.
18. Use a Garbage Bag Holder
Keeping your trash organized and easily accessible can help make cleaning more manageable. One way to achieve this is by using a garbage bag holder, which keeps the bag open and prevents it from collapsing under the weight of your waste.
Depending on your preference and space constraints, you'll have to choose between a wall-mounted or freestanding garbage bag holder. When it's time to take out the trash, remove the bag from the holder, tie it securely, and dispose of it in your apartment complex's designated waste area.
19. Clean Your Bathroom Regularly
Everyone's least favorite place to clean is also one of the most important. Since the bathroom is prone to dirt, grime, and germs, it requires regular cleaning. First, disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, faucets, and light switches. Next, scrub the shower, bathtub, and sink to remove any soap scum or mildew. Finally, regularly wash or replace your shower curtain and bathmat as they harbor mold and bacteria. Stay on top of it before it gets too gross in there.
20. Make Cleaning a Habit
To keep your living space tidy, incorporate cleaning tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly routines. Break down tasks into manageable chunks to make cleaning feel less overwhelming. For instance, make your bed each morning, set a designated day for laundry, and allocate specific days for vacuuming, dusting, and mopping.
Sticking to a routine will not only make maintaining a clean apartment easier, but it will also prevent the accumulation of dirt, thereby reducing allergens and promoting a healthier living environment.
Following these valuable tips and being mindful of your cleaning routine guarantees your apartment always remains pristine and inviting.
