How to Clean an Apartment Complex

Apartment complexes require constant upkeep and cleaning.

Apartment complexes are prone to wear, tear, damage and dirt accumulation as a result of tenants that go in and out constantly. Whether the manager is cleaning the apartment complex personally, tenants are cleaning an apartment before moving out or the entire apartment is getting its spring cleaning, the project manager will need cleaning supplies and organization to get started. Cleaning methods vary slightly depending on the type of complex and the area being cleaned, but there are basics that remain when cleaning a complex.

Things You'll Need

• Dusting spray
• Cleaning wash clothes
• Dish soap
• Floor cleaner
• Bathroom cleaner
• Scrub brush
• Water
• Glass cleaner
• Broom or vacuum
• Carpet cleaner
• Mop
• Pool cleaners (optional)
• Paint
• Paintbrush

Instructions

Cleaning the Complex

1. Organize a cleaning plan. Even a small apartment complex needs a plan to get started and clean up without a hassle. Determine which areas are being cleaned first and organize cleaning supplies according to the room. For example, a bathroom will need a wash cloth, toilet bowl cleaner, bathroom cleaner and glass cleaner. A scrub brush is optional, but useful in cleaning a bathroom. If cleaning the complex outside the apartments, but not cleaning the actual apartments, dusting supplies, floor cleaning supplies and any outdoor cleaning supplies are necessary.

2. Clean from high to low. Always start with the highest locations, like dusting ceiling fans, and work down to the floor. If any dirt or dust or knocked off from the higher locations, they will not ruin cleaning done previously at lower locations.

3. Clean indoor locations. Prioritize indoor public locations, then work on indoor private locations such as apartments within the complex, and then work on outdoor cleaning.

4. Sweep or vacuum floors once a day to once every two days. Vacuum or sweep often to keep the floors clean. If the floors are hardwood, laminate or tile, mop after sweeping. If the floors are carpeted, clean the carpet once in a week to once in two weeks. Public areas of the complex have constant traffic that brings dirt onto the floor.

5. Sweep outdoor locations. A complex cleaning requires taking care of outdoor and indoor locations, including the sidewalks. Sweep and remove the excess dirt from the sidewalks before the doors.

6. Clean the side of the apartment complex once every couple of months. Avoid cleaning outdoors during winter months in cold climates and reserve the building cleaning for warmer weather. Spray the side with water, scrub with soap, water and a scrub brush and rinse. If using a cleaner connected to the hose, spray the cleaner according to the directions and rinse instead of scrubbing manually.

7. Clean the pool. If there is a pool, it needs cleaning. Cleaning consists of removing debris with the appropriate net, running the filter and adding the appropriate chemicals, like chlorine. For pool care in an apartment complex, hiring a professional is a good option.

Cleaning Apartments

1. Clean apartments only after tenants move out. Though tenants will usually fill in holes, paint the apartment back to original colors and do some basic cleaning, a manager must replace or thoroughly clean carpets, replace damaged flooring and clean up the entire apartment. Some renters will leave a mess, which is the manager's responsibility.

2. Dust the entire apartment from the top to the bottom. Dust of any shelves in the closets, ceiling fans, cabinets or anything that has dust. Start from high locations and work to lower locations.

3. Clean the bathroom. Let the toilet bowl cleaner sit while cleaning the tub and sink. Clean out any cabinets and wash with a bathroom cleaner and hot water. Use a scrub brush if necessary to remove anything built up that the tenant did not clean. Clean the floor last.

4. Clean the kitchen. Add hot water to the sink and some dish soap or any preferred cleaning soap. Scrub the cabinets from the top and work downward to the counters and lower cabinets. Clean the oven with an oven cleaner and a scrub brush according to the oven cleaner directions on the can. Only spray the oven cleaner when the windows are open and the apartment is well ventilated.

5. Clean the living room. This might require replacing or cleaning carpets or cleaning scuff marks. If there are holes from nails or other items, fill in the holes. Clean the bedrooms. Clean out the closets and work from high to low. Since the tenants are gone, cleaning should require only taking care of filling in holes if the tenant did not fill them, dusting any shelves and sweeping or vacuuming the closet. Clean with a mop or carpet cleaner if necessary. Paint the walls. Once tenants move out, new paint is necessary. Fill in holes and then paint over them so that the walls do not have holes. Paint the entire wall so that the colors are even.

Tips & Warnings

• If the tenant does not clean or leaves damage, the tenant must pay for the damages.

References

• Apartments: Cleaning 101
• Apartment Therapy: 7 Things to Do Before Moving Out

Resources

• Nolo: Can I Break an Apartment Lease if the Complex is all Noise and Activity?