How to Clean an Apartment: DIY Tips, Pro Services & Costs
By Mah Sadegh · June 2026 · Updated: June 2026 · 7 min read
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.
How to Clean an Apartment — Room by Room
Kitchen
- Clear counters and wipe all surfaces top to bottom
- Clean stovetop, burners, and microwave interior
- Wipe cabinet fronts and fridge exterior
- Scrub sink and faucet
- Wipe oven exterior
- Sweep and mop floor
Bathroom
- Apply toilet cleaner; let dwell while cleaning other surfaces
- Scrub shower or tub and tiles
- Clean sink, faucet, and mirror
- Wipe toilet exterior and seat
- Sweep and mop floor; wipe baseboards
Living Area and Bedroom(s)
- Dust all surfaces — shelves, TV unit, nightstands — top to bottom
- Wipe light switches and door handles
- Clean window sills and tracks — apartment tracks collect grit faster than house windows
- Vacuum all floors including under furniture
- 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.
For a full bathroom deep clean walkthrough — grout, tile, and fixtures — see our bathroom deep cleaning guide.
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 is background-checked, ID-verified, and carries $2M commercial liability insurance — backed by Houmse's own $2M policy on every booking.
Houmse's standard cleaning service covers all of the above — flat-rate pricing, same-week availability.
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.
| Unit Size | Standard Clean | Bi-Weekly Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $149 | $127 (save 15%) |
| 2 bedrooms | $199 | $169 (save 15%) |
| 3 bedrooms | $249 | $212 (save 15%) |
For the full Toronto cleaning rate guide — including one-time, deep clean, and move-out pricing — see our house cleaning Toronto rates guide.
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Mah Sadegh
Mah writes about home cleaning, Toronto living, and the small routines that keep a home calm and cared for — practical tips from real homes across the GTA.
About Mah SadeghRelated reads
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