How to Clean Your House or Apartment Quickly and Effectively

Co-authored by Susan Stocker

Last Updated: January 9, 2022 References Approved

This is a checklist on how to clean your house or apartment, IN ORDER, QUICK, and EFFECTIVE. Depending on size this should take 30 minutes to 1 hour. That's it. You can take it as far as you would like depending on the time you would like to spend. Don't let the "extent of cleaning" dictate how much "time" is spent. Let the "time" dictate the "extent of cleaning". Know beforehand how long you want to put into your cleaning. Try to put equal time into each room or task. The toughest part is getting started. Don't get sidetracked.

Steps

1
Get a garbage bag, the bigger the better, and do a walkthrough of your entire home. Pick up and throw away ANY trash. Including emptying the small cans in bathrooms and in bedrooms. When you are done empty the big can in the kitchen and put all bags outside for pick up.^{[1]
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2
Do another walk through and pick up ALL dirty clothes. Don't forget those dirty towels in the bathrooms. Take them to the laundry room and put a load on to wash. The perfect time to do a load of laundry is while cleaning your home. If you use a laundry mat, stuff everything into a laundry bag or basket and set it aside for washing another day.^{[2]
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3
Do another walkthrough and gather dirty dishes. Take 'em back to the kitchen and wash dishes. Wash, dry, and put away if possible.^{[3]
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4
Now it's time for dusting. Get two rags. One is for wood and one is for everything else. Spray pledge on the "wood" rag and simply dampen the other. Go through each room dusting EVERYTHING that could collect dust. It is important to do this before vacuuming.^{[4]
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5
Go back and clean the kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Countertops, microwave, stove, sinks, tubs and toilets. Use any "multi-surface" cleaner. Putting away all miscellaneous items as you go.^{[5]
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6
Grab the vacuum and hit the entire house. Go back and forth slowly hitting high traffic areas in doorways and in front of sofas a few extra times.
7
Do a whole house walkthrough putting away any misplaced items and straightening things like chairs out of place or a magazine on the nightstand. YOU ARE DONE!

Community Q&A

Question

How do I clean a bathroom?

Community Answer

When cleaning a bathroom, start with the mirrors. After that, wipe down the counters, then the floors, and then the shower. Always do the yuckiest spot last, which would be the toilet. First clean the outside of the toilet, then the inside.
Question

How exactly do I find time for all this? I am a busy person.

Mia Colangelo

Community Answer

Work little bits of cleaning time into your schedule, and put things away immediately after use.
Question

How do I overcome being overwhelmed by roaches?

Community Answer

Ortho ant killer is the best for roaches. It stinks, but the roaches will be gone.