10 Tips on Proper Apartment Cleaning

6/10

Switch Out Laundry

It’s probably time to transfer your bed linens from the washer to the dryer, so take a break and get a glass of water. Oh, and put the bed linens in the dryer.

7/10

Clean the Living Room

Your living room is where you spend time entertaining, lounging, gaming and possibly eating. As you did in your bedroom, start cleaning there by getting up high first. Dust your walls, light fixtures and ceiling fans. Clean surfaces next. Wipe down wood furniture with furniture polish, and clean glass-topped coffee tables with glass cleaner.

Use the vacuum cleaner and brush attachment to clean your upholstered couches and chairs. (For leather, make your own leather cleaner with simple ingredients.) Make sure to lift up the cushions to vacuum up crumbs that made their way into the crevices.

Vacuum the floor if you have carpeting, or clean wood or laminate floors with a mop and the appropriate cleaner.

8/10

Clean the Bathroom

Now that the bathroom cleaners have had time to do their thing, cleaning that area should be a breeze.

Wipe down countertops, tile, sinks and your tub with a sponge or microfiber cloth. Use a scrub brush as needed for grout stains or stubborn grime. Apply extra disinfecting cleaner if necessary.

Clean your mirrors and shower doors with glass cleaner, or make a DIY version with vinegar and water. Vinegar also works great on lime scale deposits on shower heads and faucets.

To clean your toilet, wipe the outside with a damp microfiber cloth. Clean the tank and the base first, and save the dirtier bowl and under the seat for last. Swish the toilet brush under the rim of the toilet, then scrub the bowl, including under the water and into the drain.

Flush the toilet. Let the water rise and flush again, holding the brush in the water to rinse it. (We’ve got more toilet cleaning tips.)

Place your dirty bathroom microfiber cloths in a separate pile for laundry. Never re-use any cloth that touched the toilet or bathroom anywhere else in the apartment.

Finally, sweep and mop the floors and allow to air dry.