Small Apartment Cleaning Checklist: A Simple Routine That Actually Keeps Things Clean

Yay! You’re in your brand new apartment.

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Love at first sight, I bet! But now, after a few weeks, reality sets in and your 1-bedroom apartment is a mess. It’s time to put your big girl pants on and clean this place!

But wait – you’re not sure where to start. What do you do first? How do you keep on top of the cleaning without letting it get out of control?

Trust me, I get it. I always feel better when my apartment is clean. But keeping up with it—especially in a small space—can feel overwhelming.

That’s why I put together this easy small apartment cleaning schedule just for you. Follow this guide and your space will stay neat, organized, and guest-ready all the time!

Weekly Apartment Cleaning Schedule

Let’s be real—cleaning your apartment regularly is just part of adulting. Having a weekly routine helps prevent dirt and clutter from piling up, keeps your place looking polished, and even extends the life of your furniture and appliances.

And let’s not forget, keeping things tidy can help avoid allergy flare-ups and health issues. Bonus!

Here’s a basic weekly schedule to follow:

image by pixabay

Saturday

Do a load of laundry (wash, dry, fold, put away)

Clean the kitchen: wipe down counters, sweep and mop floor

Sunday

Deep clean the bathroom: sink, toilet, shower

Wash and put away all dishes

Monday

Vacuum all carpets and floors

Dust all surfaces (especially shelves and corners)

Tuesday

Do a laundry load (ideal for towels or sheets)

Wednesday

Wipe down bathroom surfaces with disinfectant

Wipe kitchen counters with a fresh-scented cleaner

Thursday

Tidy up living room and bedroom: put everything back in its place

Friday

Chill! You’ve earned a clean, cozy weekend

Creating Your Personalized Apartment Cleaning Schedule


Start by picking a day and time you can consistently commit to. Saturday mornings work great for most people, but you do you!

Then, map out your apartment room by room:

Living Room: dust, vacuum, tidy up clutter

Bedroom: make your bed, clean surfaces, put laundry away

Kitchen: wipe counters, do dishes, clean appliances

Bathroom: scrub sink/toilet/shower, change towels

If you live with roommates, divide tasks or rotate weekly.

Daily Cleaning Habits to Build

Doing a few things daily keeps your weekly tasks from becoming overwhelming. Here’s a simple list:

  • Make your bed every morning
  • Wipe counters after each use
  • Wash dishes (or load them in the dishwasher) right away
  • Tidy up common areas in the evening
  • Do one small load of laundry mid-week

These tiny habits take less than 15 minutes a day but go a long way toward keeping your space clean.

Monthly Apartment Cleaning Schedule

Deep cleaning each month helps tackle those often-forgotten areas. Here’s what to do:

January

Declutter unused items

Vacuum under furniture and clean behind appliances

February

Deep clean the bathroom: scrub tiles, clean mirrors, replace shower liner

March

Dust ceiling fans and baseboards

Open windows to freshen air

April

Organize closets and wipe down shelves

Wash curtains or clean blinds

May

Deep clean kitchen: appliances, pantry, fridge

June

Wash balcony/patio space (if you have one)

Clean windows inside and out

July

Change filters (A/C, vacuum, etc.)

Spot clean walls and doors

August

Back-to-school declutter: clothing, books, supplies

September

Clean and store summer items

Dust and clean seasonal decor

October

Organize fall wardrobe

Wash blankets and throws

November

Prep for holidays: dust decorations, clean guest space

December

Sanitize high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, remotes, light switches)

The Best Apartment Cleaning Schedule Is One You’ll Stick To

A clean apartment = a clear mind. And it doesn’t have to take hours each week. With the simple schedule above, you can build consistent habits that keep your space fresh and inviting year-round.

Take it day by day, week by week. Over time, cleaning won’t feel like a chore—it’ll be part of your rhythm.

Happy cleaning!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I may receive a small commission if you buy through my links — at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this blog!

Image Credits:All images are used for informational or inspiration purposes only. Some images used in this post are sourced from royalty-free websites like Pixabay or created using Canva Pro. If you are the copyright owner of any image used here and would like it removed or credited, please contact me.

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