How to Clean Your House or Apartment Quickly and Effectively

Co-authored by Susan Stocker

Last Updated: February 26, 2023 References Approved

This is a checklist on how to clean your house or apartment, IN ORDER, QUICKLY, and EFFICIENTLY. It works to save time by having each chore done only once throughout the house. You are not having to gather multiple supplies and tools in each room. You pick up your vacuum once, go through the house with it and put it away. Same with dusting, cleaning surfaces, etc. Depending on size this should take 1 to 1 1/2 hours. That's it. Once you get started you will be on a roll and will end up so happy that the house is clean and orderly. Then, pour yourself a cold drink, put your feet up and congratulate yourself on a job well done.

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.