Quick answer: Spotlessly Clean House Cleaning & Janitorial Services was featured in Apartment Guide’s national cleaning checklist for one practical idea: clear clutter before cleaning. An open surface is faster to clean, easier to sanitize, and less likely to hide crumbs, grease, dust, or moisture.
Apartment Guide’s editorial team included advice from Billy Burger, owner of Spotlessly Clean, in “Your Handy Apartment Cleaning Checklist.” The article was published April 15, 2024 and provides room-by-room guidance for renters and homeowners.
“Begin with a clutter-free surface.”
That short recommendation is the foundation of an efficient cleaning routine. Clearing unused appliances, papers, dishes, toiletries, and other items gives you access to the entire surface instead of forcing you to wipe around clutter.
Why Decluttering Comes Before Cleaning
Decluttering and cleaning are related, but they solve different problems. Decluttering removes or reorganizes belongings. Cleaning removes dust, grime, residue, and germs from the surfaces underneath them. Doing those jobs in the right order helps prevent wasted time and incomplete results.
- Better access: Cleaners can reach corners, backsplashes, counters, sinks, and high-touch areas.
- More thorough results: Crumbs, grease, dust, and moisture are less likely to remain trapped under everyday items.
- Less cross-contamination: Clean items are not repeatedly moved onto dirty surfaces.
- Clearer priorities: You can see stains, buildup, damage, or maintenance issues that need attention.
A Simple Five-Step Surface Reset
- Remove anything that does not belong on the surface.
- Put away appliances and supplies you do not use regularly.
- Group the remaining items on a tray or in an easy-to-move container.
- Clean the cleared surface from high to low using a product appropriate for the material.
- Let the surface dry, then return only the items you need.
Never mix cleaning chemicals. Follow product labels and allow the ventilation or contact time specified by the manufacturer.
Room-by-Room Apartment Cleaning Tips
Kitchen
Start with dishes and food items, then clear the counters. Wipe cabinet fronts, backsplashes, appliance exteriors, sink fixtures, and high-touch handles before cleaning the floor. Inside ovens, refrigerators, cabinets, and drawers may require additional time or a separate cleaning scope.
Bathroom
Remove toiletries from counters and shower ledges. Clean mirrors, sinks, faucets, tubs, showers, toilets, and frequently touched surfaces. Use surface-safe products and avoid combining bleach with ammonia, acids, or other cleaners.
Living Areas and Bedrooms
Collect loose items before dusting. Work from higher surfaces to lower ones, then vacuum or mop last so settled dust is removed. Pay attention to window sills, baseboards, door frames, switches, and accessible areas beneath furniture.
When a Routine Cleaning Is Not Enough
A home may need a professional deep cleaning when buildup has accumulated, the space has not been professionally cleaned recently, or you are preparing for recurring maintenance service. Deep cleaning gives the home a clean baseline by addressing detailed surfaces and neglected areas before shorter maintenance visits begin.
If clutter prevents safe access to floors, counters, or rooms, organizing or decluttering may be needed before deep cleaning. Tell the cleaning company about the current condition so the estimate reflects the actual labor and scope.
Local Cleaning Advice for West Georgia and East Alabama
Spotlessly Clean is a locally owned and family-operated cleaning company serving communities across West Georgia and East Alabama, including Carrollton, Villa Rica, Heflin, Anniston, Oxford, Wedowee, and nearby areas. Services include one-time and first-time deep cleaning, recurring maintenance cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, post-construction cleaning, home organizing, and light commercial janitorial cleaning.
Read the complete Apartment Guide cleaning checklist for Billy’s contribution and additional room-by-room advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I declutter before a house cleaner arrives?
Yes. Put away personal items, dishes, papers, toys, and loose belongings when practical. Clear access lets the cleaner spend more time cleaning surfaces and less time moving items. If you need organizing help, request it as part of the estimate.
What is the best order for cleaning an apartment?
Declutter first, dust from high to low, clean and sanitize appropriate surfaces, then vacuum or mop floors last. This sequence helps capture dust and debris that fall during cleaning.
Do I need a deep cleaning before recurring service?
Spotlessly Clean generally begins recurring maintenance with a first-time deep cleaning. The initial visit addresses buildup and detailed areas so future visits can maintain a consistent baseline.
Ready for a Cleaner, More Comfortable Space?
If your home or office needs professional cleaning, request a free, no-obligation written estimate from Spotlessly Clean. We will review the property, priorities, and current condition and recommend the right service and scope.