The short answer: this free apartment cleaning checklist keeps a small space clean in one to two hours a week, with a weekly list by room, a ten-minute daily reset, monthly jobs and a move-out list.
- Monthly page: 10 monthly jobs and 5 small-space habits
- Move-out: an 11-step deposit saver
- Moving in? Take dated photos and video and report problems in writing
- Cleaning with roommates and a renter's supplies kit below
- Next step: Get the free apartment cleaning checklist (we email it to you); want more? The Cleaning Schedule is $4.49.
This free apartment cleaning checklist keeps a small space clean in one to two hours a week. It has a weekly list by room, a ten-minute daily reset, monthly jobs and a move-out list to help you get your deposit back. Get the free download, print it and tick off each job as you go.
For a full routine, our Cleaning Schedule printable has daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal lists, room-by-room checklists and a family chore chart.
What is in the free apartment cleaning checklist
Renters can fix most slow drains without a plumber. Our guide on how to unclog a drain shows the safe steps for sinks, tubs and showers.
| Page | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Weekly | Kitchen, bathroom, entry and balcony, living area and bedroom, plus a 10-minute everyday list |
| Monthly and move-out | 10 monthly jobs, 5 small-space habits and an 11-step move-out deposit saver |
Weekly apartment cleaning checklist
Clean top to bottom and dry to wet. Dust first, wipe second, vacuum third and mop last.
Wood floors? Our guide on how to clean hardwood floors explains how to mop without damaging the finish, which protects your deposit too.
| Area | Weekly jobs |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Wipe counters, backsplash and stovetop; clean the microwave; wipe fridge handles; scrub the sink; empty and wipe the trash can; sweep and mop |
| Bathroom | Scrub the toilet, sink, mirror and tub or shower; run the fan to dry the room; replace towels and bath mat; sweep and mop |
| Entry and balcony | Shake out the doormat; wipe the door handle and light switches; sweep the balcony or patio |
| Living area | Dust shelves and the TV stand; wipe the coffee table and remotes; fold blankets; vacuum under the sofa; water plants |
| Bedroom | Change and wash the sheets; put away laundry; dust the nightstands and dresser; vacuum under the bed |
The 10-minute daily reset
A short daily reset is what keeps the weekly clean short. Every day:
If the microwave is past a quick wipe, our guide on how to clean a microwave has a no-scrub steam method.
- Wash the dishes or run the dishwasher.
- Wipe the kitchen counters.
- Put things back where they live.
- Do a quick bathroom wipe-down.
- Take out food trash.
Monthly apartment cleaning jobs
Once a month, add one or two of these to your weekly clean:
Add the sink drain to the monthly list; here is how to clean a garbage disposal.
- Clean inside the fridge and toss old food.
- Degrease the range hood filter.
- Wipe cabinet fronts and handles.
- Wash windows and wipe sills.
- Dust blinds, vents and light fixtures.
- Wipe baseboards and door frames.
- Clean the dishwasher filter.
- Wash the shower curtain and liner.
- Vacuum sofa cushions.
- Press the test button on the smoke alarm.
Keep moisture and mold in check
Apartment bathrooms are often small, with little airflow. The EPA's brief guide to mold and moisture says the key to mold control is moisture control. It recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent. It also says to dry damp or wet materials within 24 to 48 hours. Run the fan for 20 to 30 minutes after showers and squeegee the walls. Report leaks to your landlord quickly, since fixing pipes and roofs is usually their job.
If the shower door is cloudy, our guide on how to clean shower glass explains how to remove hard water spots.
Apartment move-in checklist
The move-out list protects your deposit at the end of a lease, but the work starts on move-in day. Before you unpack, walk through the apartment with this checklist:
- Take dated photos and video of every room, including floors, walls, appliances and any existing damage.
- Fill in the landlord's move-in inspection form, if there is one, and keep a copy.
- Test the basics: smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, faucets, toilets, the stove, the fridge, heating and cooling, and every light switch and outlet.
- Look for leaks and moisture under sinks and around the tub and windows.
- Clean before you unpack: inside cabinets, the fridge and the bathroom are much easier to clean while they're empty.
- Report problems in writing to the landlord or manager and keep a copy of what you sent.
Move-out cleaning to protect your deposit
The move-out list on page 2 covers the jobs landlords check most:
For stains and traffic lanes in rented carpet, see how to clean carpet.
- Clean inside the oven and fridge. Unplug the fridge and dry it.
- Wipe inside all cabinets and drawers.
- Scrub the tub, toilet and grout.
- Patch small nail holes if your lease allows it.
- Gently wipe walls and scuff marks.
- Clean light switches, outlets and doors.
- Vacuum and mop every floor; clean carpets if the lease requires it.
- Clean windows and tracks.
- Remove all trash and belongings.
- Take dated photos of every room.
- Return all keys and get a receipt.
Deposit rules depend on your state and lease. HUD's tenant rights page points renters to state tenant rights information. For a deeper room-by-room plan, see our full move-out cleaning checklist.
Split the weekly clean across the week
If one long session does not fit your week, split the checklist into short daily jobs. Here is one way to do it in about 15 to 20 minutes a day.
| Day | Job |
|---|---|
| Monday | Bathroom |
| Tuesday | Kitchen counters, stovetop, microwave and sink |
| Wednesday | Dust the living area and bedroom |
| Thursday | Vacuum every room, including under the sofa and bed |
| Friday | Mop the kitchen and bathroom floors |
| Saturday | Change sheets and do laundry |
| Sunday | Entry, balcony, plants and one monthly job |
Cleaning with roommates
Shared apartments stay cleaner when jobs are written down. Print one checklist per week and put the name of each roommate next to their areas on the Done by line. Rotate the bathroom and kitchen every week so no one is stuck with them. Agree on the daily reset together, especially dishes and food trash, since those cause the most arguments.
A simple supplies kit for renters
You do not need much. A basic kit is an all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, dish soap, microfiber cloths, a toilet brush, a scrub sponge, a squeegee, a vacuum or broom and a mop. If you want safer options, look for the EPA Safer Choice label.
Small-space cleaning habits
- Keep one caddy with all your supplies.
- Clean top to bottom and dry to wet.
- Use a squeegee after showers.
- Run the bathroom fan for 20 to 30 minutes after showers.
- Clear the floor before you vacuum.
Want a full cleaning schedule?
The free checklist covers one weekly clean. If you want every job planned across the day, week, month and season, our Cleaning Schedule Printable ($4.49) has daily, weekly and monthly checklists and a seasonal deep clean page. It also has a room-by-room checklist, a family chore chart, a supplies list and notes. To keep cleaning plans next to bills, meals and calendars, the Household Binder ($6.99) includes a weekly cleaning page.
For a whole-home version, see our cleaning checklist, or plan the week with a daily, weekly and monthly cleaning schedule.
Just moving in? Start with our first apartment checklist so you have the cleaning supplies and basics on day one.
Make it easier
Tools for this
Printables
Cleaning Schedule
Daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal lists - plus a family chore chart.
Printables
Household Binder
Family info, emergency plan, calendars, meals, groceries, cleaning, bills and sitter notes.
Frequently asked questions
What should be on an apartment cleaning checklist? A good apartment cleaning checklist covers the kitchen, bathroom, living area, bedroom and entry each week, plus a short daily reset and a list of monthly jobs such as the inside of the fridge, the range hood filter, blinds, vents and baseboards. Renters should also keep a move-out list for the end of the lease.
How long does it take to clean an apartment? A weekly clean of a studio or one-bedroom apartment usually takes one to two hours if you keep up with a daily ten-minute reset. A move-out clean takes much longer, often a full day, because it adds the inside of the oven, fridge and cabinets, walls, windows and tracks.
How often should you clean your apartment? Do a short reset every day, a full room-by-room clean once a week and a few deeper jobs each month. Wash sheets weekly, clean the inside of the fridge monthly and test the smoke alarm monthly. Busy weeks are easier when dishes and food trash never pile up.
What order should I clean my apartment in? Clean top to bottom and dry to wet. Dust high surfaces first, then wipe counters, then vacuum, and mop last. Start in the room that takes longest, which is usually the kitchen or bathroom, so the hardest jobs are done while you have the most energy.
How do I keep a small apartment clean? Keep one caddy with all your supplies so you can carry it from room to room. Give every item a home, keep the floor clear and do a ten-minute reset each evening. Small spaces show clutter fast, so putting things back daily matters more than a long weekly clean.
How do I prevent mold in an apartment bathroom? Run the bathroom fan or open a window during and after showers, squeegee the walls and hang towels to dry. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent, and drying damp or wet spots within 24 to 48 hours. Tell your landlord about leaks right away.
What should I clean before moving out of an apartment? Clean inside the oven and fridge, inside all cabinets and drawers, the tub, toilet and grout, walls, switches, outlets and doors, windows and tracks, and every floor. Remove all trash and belongings, take dated photos of each room and return every key. Check your lease for anything extra it requires.
How do I get my security deposit back? Read your lease and the move-in condition report, then clean to that standard and fix small damage the lease lets you fix. Take dated photos of every room when you leave, return all keys and give your landlord a forwarding address. Deposit rules vary by state, so look up your state's tenant rights.
What cleaning supplies does a renter need? A basic kit is an all-purpose cleaner, a glass cleaner, a bathroom cleaner, dish soap, microfiber cloths, a toilet brush, a scrub sponge, a squeegee, a broom or vacuum and a mop. Keep them in one caddy. Look for products with the EPA Safer Choice label if you want safer options.
Is the apartment cleaning checklist printable for free? Yes, the apartment cleaning checklist is free to print. The two-page apartment cleaning checklist is a free PDF that we email to you. Page one is the weekly checklist with a daily ten-minute list, and page two has monthly jobs, small-space habits and the move-out list. Print a fresh copy each week or slip one into a sheet protector.
Should I use a cleaning schedule instead of a checklist? Use both: a checklist tells you what to clean, and a schedule tells you when. Many renters use the checklist for the weekly clean and a schedule that spreads jobs across the week, such as bathrooms on Monday and floors on Thursday. Our paid Cleaning Schedule printable has daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal pages.
What should be on an apartment move-in checklist? An apartment move-in checklist should include dated photos of every room, the landlord's inspection form, a test of alarms, plumbing, appliances and outlets, a check for leaks, a clean of empty cabinets and the fridge, and written notice of any problems.
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Free printable
Keep a small place clean in about an hour a week
A weekly checklist by area, monthly jobs and a move-out list. You'll also get our weekly HomeBase email with simple cleaning routines and chore ideas the whole family can help with.
Sources
- US EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home epa.gov
- HUD: Tenant rights hud.gov
- US EPA: Safer Choice epa.gov