How Often Should You Really Be Cleaning Your Apartment? A NYC Guide

Between long work days, crowded commutes, and busy weekends, cleaning your apartment in New York City can easily slip to the bottom of the list. But ignoring it for too long isn’t just about looks—dust, germs, and clutter build up quickly in NYC, where we deal with traffic pollution, tiny spaces, and lots of foot traffic.

So… how often should you really be cleaning your apartment?

At Bright City Cleaning, we’ve put together a simple NYC-specific guide to help you figure out a realistic cleaning schedule that actually fits your life.

First, What Affects Your Cleaning Schedule?

Everyone’s home is different, but these factors play a big role:

Your lifestyle – Do you work from home or are you rarely there? Do you cook often or mostly order in?
Allergies or asthma – If you’re sensitive to dust, pet dander, or pollen, you’ll want more frequent cleaning.
Pets – Fur, dander, and little paw prints mean stepping up vacuuming and surface cleaning.
Apartment size – Smaller spaces get cluttered faster (hello, studio life).
Location & building type – Older buildings and high-traffic streets can mean more dust and grime.

Use the guide below as a baseline and adjust up or down based on your situation.

Daily Tasks (5–15 Minutes)

These quick habits keep your space looking put-together and prevent bigger messes later.

Every day, try to:

Make the bed – Instantly makes the room feel cleaner.
Wipe kitchen counters & stove top – Especially after cooking.
Do a quick dish reset – Load the dishwasher or wash what’s in the sink.
Tidy hotspots – Entryway, coffee table, bathroom counter.
Spot clean spills – On counters, floors, or the fridge.

These don’t have to be perfect. Think “reset,” not “deep clean.”

Weekly Tasks (Your Core Cleaning Routine)

For most New Yorkers, a good once-a-week cleaning session is the minimum to keep things under control.

Once a week, aim to:

Kitchen

Wipe appliances (microwave front, fridge door, oven door).
Clean the sink and faucet.
Wipe cabinet fronts and handles.
Sweep and mop the floor.

Bathroom

Scrub the toilet, sink, and shower/tub.
Wipe mirrors and countertops.
Change towels.
Sweep and mop the floor.

Living Areas & Bedroom

Dust surfaces (shelves, side tables, dressers).
Vacuum or sweep floors and rugs.
Empty garbage and recycling.
Change bed sheets.

Pro tip: If a full weekly clean feels overwhelming, break it up: 10–15 minutes per day on different rooms.

Every 2–4 Weeks (Deeper Maintenance)

These are the tasks that don’t need weekly attention but make a big difference when you stay on top of them.

Every 2–4 weeks:

Wipe baseboards and window sills.
Dust lampshades, picture frames, and decor.
Clean the inside of the microwave.
Wipe down the inside of your fridge door and shelves.
Vacuum under the bed and sofa (if accessible).
Wash blankets, throws, and frequently used pillow covers.

If you have pets or allergies, lean closer to every 2 weeks instead of 4.

Monthly & Seasonal Tasks

These are the “I’ll get to it eventually” tasks that are easy to forget—but they impact air quality and how clean your home really feels.

Once a month:

Clean inside trash cans and recycling bins.
Wash shower curtain/liner or scrub shower doors.
Dust or wipe ceiling fans and vents.
Declutter one area (drawer, closet shelf, cabinet).

Seasonally (every 3–4 months):

Wash windows (inside, and outside if possible).
Pull out furniture and clean behind/under it.
Deep clean the oven and inside of the fridge.
Rotate and vacuum mattresses.
Do a “big purge” of items you don’t use.

A great rule of thumb:

Deep clean your apartment at least 3–4 times a year.

How Often Should You Hire a Professional Cleaner?

You don’t have to do everything yourself—especially in a busy city like NYC.

Here’s a simple guide:

Every week or every 2 weeks
Ideal if you work long hours, have kids or pets, or just don’t want to spend your free time cleaning. A regular Standard Cleaning keeps things under control.
Once a month
Good if you can handle basic upkeep but want a pro reset to catch what you miss.
Every 3–4 months (Quarterly Deep Clean)
Perfect for tackling built-up dust, grout, inside cabinets, under furniture, and other details. Great if you suffer from allergies or live in an older building.
Move-In / Move-Out & Post-Construction
Always worth booking a professional. These cleans are more intensive and time-sensitive, and you’ll want it done right.

A Realistic NYC Cleaning Plan

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a sample routine for a busy New Yorker:

Daily: Quick reset (dishes, counters, bed, clutter).
Weekly: 1 core cleaning session (kitchen, bathroom, floors, dusting).
Monthly: One “focus area” (fridge, closet, windows, under furniture).
Seasonally: Deep clean or hire a pro.

Let Bright City Cleaning Take It Off Your Plate

If your schedule is packed and your apartment never seems to stay as clean as you’d like, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why Bright City Cleaning exists.

We help NYC residents:

Keep up with recurring standard cleanings (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly).
Reset their space with thorough deep cleans.
Get ready for big changes with move-in/move-out and post-construction cleanings.

So you don’t have to choose between a clean home and your limited free time.

Ready to build a cleaning routine that actually works for your life?
👉 Book your next cleaning with Bright City Cleaning and let us handle the hard part—so you can simply come home and breathe.

How Often Should You Really Be Cleaning Your Apartment? A NYC Guide