How to Clean an Apartment: DIY Tips, Pro Services & Costs

Professional apartment cleaning in the GTA starts at $149 for a 1-bedroom unit — or you can do it yourself in about two hours with the right approach. This guide covers both: a room-by-room cleaning plan for apartment and condo residents, when it makes sense to hire a professional, and what the service costs.

Renters: Move-Out, Deposits & Landlord Expectations

Ontario tenants are generally expected to leave a rental unit in the same condition they received it — "broom clean" at minimum, often cleaner if your lease specifies professional cleaning. A move-out clean does not guarantee your deposit return (landlords decide), but it puts you in the strongest position for the final walkthrough. Book a move-in / move-out clean for empty units; scope includes inside cabinets, closets, and appliances.

Tenant vs landlord responsibility: Day-to-day upkeep during your tenancy is yours. End-of-lease deep cleaning before key return is typically the tenant's job unless your lease says otherwise. Landlords handle pre-move-in cleaning for the next tenant — not mid-lease maintenance.

Condo & Apartment Access Logistics

High-rise bookings need three details in the booking notes: concierge or fob instructions, elevator booking time (many Toronto condos require a freight-elevator reservation for move-day cleans), and parking or loading-zone access for the cleaner's supplies. Houmse cleaners carry their own equipment — no hookups beyond running water and power.

Small-Space Pricing

Studios and 1-bedroom apartments use the same flat-rate tiers as houses — from $149 for a standard clean, with no apartment surcharge. A studio under 700 sqft is priced at the 1-bedroom tier. Bi-weekly recurring saves 15% off that rate.

How to Clean an Apartment — Room by Room

Kitchen

1. Clear counters and wipe all surfaces top to bottom
2. Clean stovetop, burners, and microwave interior
3. Wipe cabinet fronts and fridge exterior
4. Scrub sink and faucet
5. Wipe oven exterior
6. Sweep and mop floor

Bathroom

1. Apply toilet cleaner; let dwell while cleaning other surfaces
2. Scrub shower or tub and tiles
3. Clean sink, faucet, and mirror
4. Wipe toilet exterior and seat
5. Sweep and mop floor; wipe baseboards

Living Area and Bedroom(s)

1. Dust all surfaces — shelves, TV unit, nightstands — top to bottom
2. Wipe light switches and door handles
3. Clean window sills and tracks — apartment tracks collect grit faster than house windows
4. Vacuum all floors including under furniture
5. Mop hard floors

Often Missed in Apartments

• Balcony floor and railing (if applicable)
• Window blinds and tracks — grit accumulates faster in high-rises
• Under and behind the fridge — smaller units mean the fridge is closer to the wall
• Bathroom exhaust fan cover

How Often Should You Clean an Apartment?

For a solo resident, a weekly light clean plus a monthly thorough clean keeps most apartments in good shape. Couples or small households do well on bi-weekly standard cleaning with a quarterly deep clean. If you have pets, a shared unit, or a busy schedule, more frequent cleaning makes a visible difference.

Should You Hire a Professional Apartment Cleaner?

For a studio or 1-bedroom apartment, DIY is manageable — a thorough clean takes about 1.5 to 2 hours with the right products. For a 2-bedroom or larger, a professional saves 2.5 to 3 hours of your time and handles the work more consistently.

The case for hiring is strongest when:

• You're on a recurring schedule and don't want to spend weekends cleaning
• You're a Toronto condo resident — unit sizes make recurring professional cleaning cost-effective at the standard tier
• You're preparing for a guest, an inspection, or a move

Every cleaner completes an Enhanced Canadian Criminal Record Check and identity verification through OneID before their first booking, and carries their own $2M commercial general liability policy. Houmse Inc. carries a separate $2M occurrence-form policy with Northbridge Insurance. Learn how we approve cleaners.

How Much Does Apartment Cleaning Cost in the GTA?

Apartment cleaning is priced by bedroom count — the same rates as standard house cleaning. There is no apartment surcharge.