Whether you’re moving into your own apartment for the first time or downsizing to a smaller space, you want to make sure that you put in the time to keep it tidy and fresh.
Everyone cleans at a different rate, but a regular weekly clean will obviously be quicker than a “move-out” clean.
Of course, if you hate to clean, you can hire it out.
1) How Much Time Should I Put Aside to Clean My 2 Bedroom Apartment Every Week?
To start, put aside 2 to 3 hours per week to clean your apartment. You can lower the time you put into a longer cleaning session by maintaining a minimum level of tidy.
For example, make sure your dishes are washed or at least rinsed and placed in the dishwasher before bed.
Carefully review your dining space to make sure that crumbs are cleaned up and the floor under the table is clean at the end of each day.
If you eat in your office, invest in a sealed trash can and do a daily crumb check as well.
Finally, take the time to squeegee off the shower door each time you use it.
Projects to Address on Cleaning Day
Trash
Grab a large drawstring trash bag and take a counter-clockwise stroll around each room. Pick up junk mail, product wrappers, and general garbage for disposal.
Clutter
Once you’ve been through everything counterclockwise, take a clockwise loop and put things where they belong. Put phones, tablets, and laptops on chargers.
Take all dishes to the kitchen, reshelve books and recycle magazines. If any item is in the way and doesn’t have a spot, decide if it needs to stay and if so, designate a location.
Carry a dust cloth with you and wipe things down as you put them away. In your living room and your office, this may be all the cleaning you need to do on a weekly basis except for vacuuming.
Decontaminate
Take an antibacterial wipe and clean your light switches. Even if you live alone, it’s possible to spread germs around your space.
If you don’t have time to clean your refrigerator on a weekly basis, make sure you go through your produce and meat drawers to get rid of anything that may be unsafe or inedible.
On average, it should take 2-3 hours to clean a 2 bedroom apartment on a weekly basis.
measuringstuff.com
Scent
Cleaning day is a lovely day to scent your home. Clear out any stale smells and freshen the space by
- opening the windows if the weather allows
- putting a bit of scented cleaning product in your bathroom sink and adding hot water to release the fragrance
- adding toilet bowl cleaner to the commode and letting it work
Dust has a fragrance. If it’s too hot or too cold to open up your windows, you can freshen the space by removing dust from high up the room. Invest in a dusting tool that captures dust, instead of just pushing it around, and wipe down
- high shelves
- ceiling fan blades
- light fixtures
Once you’ve wiped all this down, you’ll be ready to vacuum. After vacuuming, go over your kitchen surfaces with a degreaser.
Vacuum cleaning tips for your floors:
Feel free to save or download a copy for yourself and share it on social!
If you’ve got time, wipe down kitchen cabinets each week, especially if you open cabinets before washing your hands as you cook.
Next, go back to the bath. The scent will be fresh and you can clean your sink, commode, and floor with the combination of cleaner and water in the sink.
Use different cloths; never transfer a cloth that was used to clean your toilet back to your sink.
Finally, you can clean your shower. This may include using an abrasive cleaner on your tub. Toss all your cleaning rags in the washer if possible, or wrap them in an old towel for your run to the laundromat in a day or two.
Wash cleaning rags with heavy clothing, such as jeans and sweatshirts, and use plenty of soap.
2) How Long Will It Take to Clean My 2 Bedroom Apartment Prior to Moving Out?
Plan to clean for 3 to 4 hours on your move-out day. You will have to dust ceiling fans and light fixtures. Once all your things are out, make sure you also
- wipe down cabinets and cupboards
- clean the refrigerator shelving and drawers
- vacuum thoroughly, including baseboards
Find out from your rental manager if you are expected to clean the carpets. If so, get a price from a professional before you go to the trouble to rent a cleaner.
By the time you pay for the unit, the soap, and your time, it can be cheaper to hire a professional carpet cleaner to come in and take care of it.
3) How Long Will It Take To Professionally Clean My 2 Bedroom Apartment and How Much Will It Cost?
Getting your apartment professionally cleaned should be taken care of in 2 hours or less for no more than $150 per session.
If you are comfortable having strangers in your home, this can be an easy way to give you back some free time.
Do make sure that your cleaning crew knows what products you prefer to be used in your home.
Often, if you hire someone who cleans as a side hustle, you can simply add the cost of the product to your bill and have them pick up what is needed for your space.
Do make sure that you also discuss tools. If you have a pet, you will want to invest in a good vacuum that will manage pet hair.
Your cleaning crew should not be expected to transport a vacuum from house to house. Not only is this heavy and awkward, but you can actually transport flea eggs from home to home in a shared vacuum.
With a bit of organization and a steady pattern, cleaning your apartment should not be a huge time burden.
If you really hate it or can make more than $75 per hour, it may make more sense to pay someone.