Floor Cleaning in Apartments

Floors take the most abuse of any surface in your apartment. They also have the biggest visual impact—clean floors make the whole space feel cleaner. The good news: small apartment floors are quick to clean.

How Often to Clean Floors

• Daily: Quick sweep of high-traffic kitchen areas
• Weekly: Full vacuum and mop of entire apartment
• Monthly: Move furniture to clean underneath
• Seasonally: Deep clean (carpet shampooing, floor polishing)

Hard Floor Cleaning

Types of Hard Floors

Most apartments have one of these:

• Laminate: Common, easy care, avoid excess water
• Vinyl/LVP: Durable, water-resistant
• Tile: Durable, can use more water
• Hardwood: Needs gentle care, minimal water

Basic Hard Floor Routine

1. Sweep or vacuum first: Remove loose dirt and debris
2. Mop with appropriate cleaner: Don't over-wet the floor
3. Let dry: Open windows or turn on fans if needed

Cleaning Tips by Floor Type

Laminate

• Use damp mop, not wet—excess water damages laminate
• Use laminate-specific cleaner or diluted vinegar
• Don't use oil-based cleaners or wax
• Wipe up spills immediately

Vinyl/LVP

• Most forgiving—can handle more moisture
• Use vinyl floor cleaner or mild dish soap in water
• Avoid abrasive cleaners
• Rinse if using soap-based cleaner

Tile

• Floor is durable; grout needs attention
• Clean grout lines with baking soda paste periodically
• Seal grout annually to prevent staining
• Use tile cleaner or all-purpose cleaner

Hardwood

• Least water possible—just damp mop
• Use hardwood-specific cleaner
• Never use vinegar on hardwood (damages finish)
• Felt pads under furniture legs

Carpet Cleaning

Weekly Vacuuming

• Vacuum at least once a week (more with pets)
• Go slowly—rushing reduces effectiveness
• Use multiple passes in high-traffic areas
• Don't forget edges and corners

Spot Cleaning

Address spills immediately:

1. Blot (don't rub) liquid spills
2. Scrape up solids
3. Apply carpet cleaner
4. Blot from outside in to prevent spreading
5. Rinse with water, blot dry

Deep Cleaning

Every 6-12 months, carpets benefit from deep cleaning:

• Rent a carpet cleaner: Available at grocery stores and hardware stores
• Hire professional: Best results, worth it annually
• DIY methods: Baking soda + vacuum for freshening

Tools for Small Spaces

Vacuum Options

• Stick vacuum: Compact, easy to store, good for quick cleans
• Canister vacuum: More powerful, still compact
• Robot vacuum: Hands-off maintenance (supplement with regular vacuuming)

Mop Options

• Spray mop: Best for apartments—no bucket needed, quick to use
• Microfiber mop: Reusable pads, good for daily maintenance
• Traditional mop and bucket: Effective but bulky to store