Quickly Cleaning Your 2-Bedroom Apartment: A Step-By-Step Guide

Keeping a clean home is important for hygiene and peace of mind, but it can be challenging to find the time and energy to do so regularly. This guide will break down the steps and time required to clean a 2-bedroom apartment, so you can create an efficient cleaning routine that works for you. Whether you're doing a standard or deep clean, knowing what to expect can help you stay motivated and on track. Let's get started!

Kitchen cleaning: wipe down counters, load/unload dishwasher, clean inside oven, stove, fridge

To clean a kitchen, start by wiping down the counters. The best method for cleaning kitchen counters depends on the material they are made of. For wood countertops, use a non-abrasive cleaner or a mix of warm water and distilled white vinegar. For marble and granite countertops, use warm water and mild dish soap, followed by a microfiber towel. Avoid abrasive or acidic cleaners, which can damage the stone. Laminate countertops can be cleaned with mild household cleaner, while quartz or engineered stone countertops can be washed with mild soap and water. Stainless steel countertops should be wiped down with soap and water, using a microfiber towel to buff out any smudges or streaks. Soapstone countertops can be cleaned with a multipurpose cleaner. Be sure to choose a non-abrasive cleaner that won't scratch the surface.

Next, load and unload the dishwasher. To load a dishwasher, make sure that dirty dishes face towards the centre of the machine, where the spray jets are located. Place larger items towards the back and sides, and smaller items towards the front and middle. Glasses and cups should be placed upside down on the top rack, and plastic items should be placed on the top rack as well to prevent warping. Pots, pans, and other cookware should be placed in the bottom rack, with large items placed at the back and smaller items at the front. Make sure to angle dishes and cookware so that water can run off, and avoid overcrowding the machine.

Now, move on to cleaning the inside of the oven. If your oven has a self-cleaning feature, follow the manufacturer's instructions for use. Otherwise, you can use a store-bought oven cleaner or a DIY cleaning solution. To make a DIY oven cleaning solution, mix baking soda and water to form a spreadable paste, and apply it inside the oven with a paintbrush. Then, spray a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water onto the paste, and let it sit for at least 12 hours before wiping the oven out with a clean cloth and clear water. Repeat if necessary.

To clean the stove, first make sure it is turned off and cool. Then, use a cloth or sponge to wipe the stove top with warm, soapy water. If your stove has coil burners, lightly wipe them as well. Turn on the burners to burn off any remaining residue, then let them cool and wipe them with a dry, lint-free cloth. Remove the drip pans and soak them in hot, soapy water. If they are very dirty, soak them in a plastic bag with ammonia overnight, then rinse and dry them. Clean the stove top with a paste made from baking soda and water, using a soft scrubber or non-abrasive kitchen tool. If your stove is electric, lift up the top and use a plastic knife or spatula to scrape off any hardened food. Wipe the area with warm, soapy water, and use a baking soda paste or manufacturer-recommended cleaner for stubborn spots. Reassemble the stove parts once they are completely dry.

Finally, clean the inside of the fridge. Start by removing all the food and shelves from the fridge. Throw away any expired or unwanted food, and place the rest in a cool bag or box. Next, wipe down all the surfaces of the fridge with a damp cloth. If there are any tough stains, use a mild cleaning solution or baking soda mixed with water. You can also use a toothbrush or small brush to get into any nooks and crannies. Wipe down the shelves and drawers with warm water and a mild soap, and dry them before placing them back in the fridge. Finally, put the food back in the fridge, being sure to throw away anything that has gone bad.

Bathroom cleaning: soak shower/tub, scrub, clean counters, mirrors, sweep/mop floor

Soak the shower/tub:

First, fill a bucket with hot water and pour it all over the tub. For an extra dirty tub, use a tub-and-tile cleaner.

Scrub:

Fill your bucket with half a gallon of hot water and two tablespoons of dish soap. Dip a scrub sponge or a stiff nylon brush into the bucket and scrub all bathtub surfaces. Use the bucket to periodically rinse out the sponge or brush and to transfer soapy water into the tub.

For an especially dirty tub, sprinkle baking soda directly onto the sponge or brush after dipping it in the bucket solution and scrub hard.

Clean counters:

Clear the counters of any containers and items. Spray the countertop with a suitable cleaner, such as a stone cleaner for stone countertops. If you are unsure, test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area first.

Scrub the counter with a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth. Wipe the counter down with a damp sponge, non-abrasive cloth, or paper towel to ensure you are left with a residue-free surface.

Clean mirrors:

To avoid streaks, avoid using newspaper or kitchen towel to clean your mirrors. Instead, use a microfibre cloth.

Mix a solution of one part vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto a cotton cloth or directly onto the mirror. Before the spray dries, wipe the mirror from side to side or up and down with the cotton cloth.

Take the microfibre cloth and dry the mirror using the same side-to-side or up-and-down action.

Sweep/mop the floor:

Before mopping, sweep or vacuum the floor to remove any loose dust and dirt. Choose the proper mop and cleaning detergent for your floor type. For example, a steam mop is good for removing grout stains between tiles, and a sponge mop is best for smooth vinyl floors.

Use two buckets: one for washing with water and detergent, and another for rinsing with clean water. Fill each bucket with hot water and add detergent to the wash bucket.

Dip your mop in the bucket of water and detergent, then wring it out. Mop a section of your floor, moving backward to prevent tracking. Rinse your mop in the second bucket, then repeat the process for each section until you have completed the floor.

Finally, mop the floor one last time with fresh, hot rinse water to ensure no detergent residue remains.

Bedroom cleaning: remove trash, make bed, put away clothes, dust, sweep/vacuum

To clean your bedroom, you'll want to start by removing any trash. This includes any clutter that doesn't have a home, like old books, magazines, and outdated gadgets. You should also remove any clothes you no longer wear and store them in a closet or donate them. If you have worn but not dirty clothes, you can hang them on hangers or wall hooks, or keep them on a garment rack.

Once you've decluttered, it's time to make your bed. Start by adding a mattress topper and protector, then put on your sheets. Next, add a coverlet or quilt, followed by a duvet or comforter. Stack your sleeping pillows and finish with any decorative pillows and a throw blanket.

Now it's time to dust. If you have dust allergies, wear a filter mask while cleaning. Use a damp cloth to wipe down surfaces, including furniture, doors, window frames, and sills. Wash your curtains and bedding in hot water, at a minimum of 130 degrees Fahrenheit, to get rid of dust mites.

Finally, sweep or vacuum your bedroom floor. If you have a hard floor, you can use a broom or a vacuum with a soft-bristled attachment. If you have a carpet, use a vacuum with a special filter to reduce allergens.

Deep cleaning: wash trim, blinds, fan blades, window sills, clean stove drip pans

To deep clean the trim in your two-bedroom apartment, you'll need to consider the type of wood and its finish. If the trim is painted wood, use a mild soap and water solution for cleaning. For clear-coated or stained wood, opt for a mild, natural wood cleaner. In cases of excessive buildup, add paint thinner to your cleaning solution. Rough, unfinished trim, such as wooden ceiling beams, can simply be dusted.

Microfibre dusting cloths are ideal for attracting dust and making the trim easier to clean. For hard-to-reach areas, use a pole with a dusting attachment. If there is intricate detailing on the trim, you'll need a small brush, such as a toothbrush, to navigate and scrub those areas. Start by dusting the trim and then follow up by wiping it with a soft rag dipped in your chosen cleaning solution.

For blinds, it is recommended to clean them weekly to keep them in good condition. You can either leave the blinds in place and dust them with a lambswool duster or a microfiber cloth, working from the top to the bottom. Alternatively, you can close the blinds and wipe off the dust with a microfiber cloth. If the blinds are heavily soiled, you can make a 50/50 solution of warm water and white vinegar in a bowl or bucket, adding a small amount of mild dishwashing soap. Dip a sponge in the solution and wipe down each slat of the blinds. Then, wipe each slat again with a damp sponge and either let the blinds air-dry or dry them with a cloth.

If the blinds are too dirty to clean in place, remove them from the window and fill your bathtub with warm water, a squirt of mild dishwashing liquid, and a gallon of white vinegar. Alternatively, you can use warm water, half a cup of vinegar, and half a cup of baking soda. Lower the blinds into the tub and ensure they are fully covered with water. Let them soak for about an hour, and then clean any stubborn spots with a sponge. After soaking, drain the tub and rinse the blinds with a shower wand or by pouring clean water over them. Finally, put the blinds back up and dry them with a towel or hang them outside to air dry.

For stove drip pans, a paste made of equal parts dish soap and baking soda can be effective. Apply the paste to the drip pan and let it sit for about an hour before scrubbing. Alternatively, you can try a sequence of soaking: start with a 10-minute soak in very hot water, followed by a 30-minute soak in white vinegar, and then top it off with baking soda, soaking for another 15 minutes. Finish by rinsing and scrubbing with more baking soda.

Regular cleaning: take out trash, sweep/mop floors, dust surfaces, arrange sheets, disinfect surfaces

Regular cleaning is essential to keep your two-bedroom apartment in top shape. Here are some detailed tips for tackling trash removal, floor care, dusting, sheet arrangement, and disinfecting:

Taking Out the Trash

It is important to take out the trash regularly to prevent odours and the buildup of waste. Ensure you have a designated trash can with a liner or bag to contain the garbage. When the bag is full, remove it from the can, seal it tightly, and place it in a larger outdoor bin or dumpster. Wash the indoor trash can periodically to prevent unpleasant smells.

Sweeping and Mopping Floors

Start by sweeping or vacuuming your floors to remove loose dust and dirt. This step is crucial before mopping to avoid creating a muddy mess. For mopping, use two buckets: one with hot water and detergent for washing and another with clean hot water for rinsing. Dip your mop in the wash bucket, wring it out, and damp-mop the floor in sections, moving backward to avoid tracking dirt. Rinse the mop in the clean water bucket after each section and repeat the process until the entire floor is clean. Finally, mop once more with fresh hot water to ensure a thorough clean and no detergent residue.

Dusting Surfaces

Dusting is essential to improve air quality and reduce allergens. Maintain a weekly dusting schedule and always dust from top to bottom. Use a damp microfiber cloth or towel to capture dust effectively. For hard-to-reach areas, utilise extension tools like microfiber cloths with long handles or vacuum attachments. Don't forget to dust electronics, books, and areas under furniture as well.

Arranging Sheets

Making your bed with clean sheets regularly provides a fresh and comfortable sleeping environment. Start by putting on a fitted sheet, ensuring it is snug around the corners and edges of the mattress. Next, add a flat sheet, placing it right-side-down so that when you flip it over the decorative or patterned side will be visible. Tuck in the flat sheet at the end of the bed and along the sides, then finish with pillows and a comforter or duvet.

Disinfecting Surfaces

Disinfecting kills most germs and is particularly important if someone in your household is sick. Use disinfectant sprays or diluted bleach solutions, following the instructions on the product label. Always clean surfaces with soap and water before disinfecting to ensure the disinfectant is effective. Remember to wear protective gear like gloves and ensure good ventilation when using chemical disinfectants.

Frequently asked questions