Tips for Deep Cleaning Your Apartment

Essential Apartment Cleaning Supplies

Gather all cleaning products and tools before you get started, including:

• Rubber gloves
• Paper towels
• Dust rags or washcloths
• Sponges
• Disinfectant wipes
• All-purpose cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• Toilet bowl cleaner
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Scrub brush
• Duster
• Broom
• Vacuum
• Mop
• Trash bags

Tidy and Declutter Your Space

Cleaning from room to room helps you break down deep cleaning into more manageable tasks. It’s important to declutter your apartment before you clean so you can reach every nook and cranny. Throw out trash, store seasonal items, put clothes away and organize personal belongings to make more space.

Dust From the Ceiling Down

Working from the ceiling to the floor prevents dust from landing on clean surfaces. Use a duster or broom covered with a microfiber cloth to wipe ceiling corners, molding and window and door frames in your living room, kitchen and bathroom.

Dust lighting fixtures and fan blades for cobwebs. Place each fan blade inside a pillowcase to clear dust without sending it flying.

Remove fabric curtains and shake them outside or throw them in your washer. Wrap a cloth around a butter knife to dusk between blind slats.

Wipe and Disinfect Surfaces

Continue working your way downward by disinfecting all flat surfaces, including:

• Windows and sills
• Tables
• Countertops
• Shelves
• Bookcases
• Entertainment stands
• Baseboards

Use an all-purpose cleaner to wipe and polish surfaces, then disinfect high-traffic areas like light switches, doorknobs, handles and cabinets.

Clean Kitchen Appliances

Fridge and freezer: Remove food and clean shelves one section at a time with an all-purpose cleaner or warm, soapy water. It may take some elbow grease to eliminate frozen stains in your freezer. Clean the doors, handles and top of the fridge, too.

Oven: Remove the racks and sweep food particles into a trash can. Spray an even layer of oven cleaner and let it soak based on the product directions. Use a sponge or cloth to wipe it clean. You may need a brush to loosen stuck-on food.

Stove: Dish liquid and warm water are effective for removing grime. Apply a dollop of dish soap to cooked-on gunk and let it soften before scrubbing. You should only use paper towels or washcloths on glass stovetops to prevent scratches.

Dishwasher: Remove the bottom rack and empty food particles from the filter on the floor of your dishwasher. Place a cup of white vinegar in the top rack and run a hot cycle to disinfect and deodorize the interior.

Microwave: Heat a cup of water inside your microwave for a minute to loosen debris. Wipe down the walls, ceiling and turntable with a sponge.

Tackle Bathroom Grime

Shower and tub: Spray bathroom cleaner on your shower or tub and let it soak for at least twenty minutes. Use a bristle brush or toothbrush to get rid of mold and mildew. You can also use baking soda paste to scour grout. Wrap the showerhead in a plastic bag filled with vinegar for 30 minutes to lift hard water stains.

Toilet: Coat the bowl with toilet cleaner and let it sit while you work on the exterior. Apply all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant to the toilet seat, handle, water tank and base. Don’t forget to get under the rim when you scrub the interior.

Sink and vanity: An all-purpose solution is effective for cleaning your bathroom sink, but you can also mix dish soap, vinegar and warm water. Use a toothbrush to reach tight spaces around the faucet and drain. Wipe the vanity and mirror with glass cleaner.

Sweep Floors and Carpeting

This should be the final step of your deep clean. Vacuum carpeting and rugs. Sweep hardwood, tile, laminate or linoleum floors with a broom before mopping.

Do you need to remove a carpet stain? Rent carpet-cleaning equipment from your local hardware store or spray a spot remover to lift it away.

You can also try these at-home remedies to remove carpet stains:

• One teaspoon of liquid dish detergent mixed with a cup of warm water
• One cup of white vinegar mixed with two cups of warm water

Dab the spot with either solution, applying it until it’s thoroughly saturated. Soak up the solution with a dry towel before applying warm water with a clean cloth. Pat the area completely dry.

Find Your Apartment in Columbus, Ohio

Are you considering making the move to Columbus, Ohio? Ardent Communities offers luxury apartments that are designed with comfort in mind, so you can enjoy your unique space. Learn about our locations and schedule a tour.