Work top to bottom and from the far end of the unit toward the door: kitchen and bathroom first, then living areas and bedrooms, with floors last. Do the basics every week — counters, sink, stovetop, toilet, shower and floors — and add one bigger job each month, like the range hood filter, the fridge or the window tracks.
A condo is smaller than a house, but it isn't easier to keep clean. Everything is closer together, the bathroom often has no window, and in a lot of Metro Vancouver buildings the walls are half glass. This checklist is built for that: what to clean in each room, what to do weekly versus monthly, and the condo-specific jobs most checklists skip.
Why condos need their own checklist
- Open layouts spread mess. Cooking grease and dust from the kitchen settle on the living room shelves and TV, so the kitchen needs attention more often.
- Windowless bathrooms stay damp. Without a window, the fan is the only way out for steam. Run it while you shower and for 20–30 minutes after.
- Glass shows everything. Shower doors, mirrored closets and floor-to-ceiling windows show fingerprints and water spots quickly.
- Sealed buildings hold moisture. In fall and winter, condensation collects on window frames and turns into black spots on the sills.
Entry and closet
- Shake out or wash the door mat — it stops most grit from reaching the rest of the floors.
- Wipe the door, handle, light switches and the intercom panel.
- Clean the shoe tray and the floor under it.
- Dust the closet shelf and the top of the door frame.
Kitchen
- Clear the counters, then wipe them and the backsplash. Use a product made for your surface — quartz and stone don't like harsh or acidic cleaners.
- Degrease the stovetop and the knobs.
- Wipe the range hood. Once a month, wash the metal filter in hot, soapy water (or the dishwasher, if the manual allows).
- Clean the microwave inside and out.
- Wipe the fronts of the fridge, oven and dishwasher, plus cabinet doors and handles.
- Scrub the sink and shine the faucet.
- Toss old food from the fridge before garbage day.
For the full top-to-bottom version, see our kitchen deep cleaning checklist.
Bathroom
- Spray the shower and tub first and let the cleaner sit while you do the rest.
- Clean the toilet inside and out, including the base and the floor around it.
- Wipe the sink, counter and faucet, then the mirror.
- Scrub the shower, rinse, and dry or squeegee the glass door.
- Vacuum the dust off the exhaust fan cover — a clogged fan can't clear steam.
- Wash the bath mat and towels.
Glass shower doors are their own job; our guide to removing soap scum from glass shower doors covers it.
Rather have it done for you?Good Maid cleans apartments and condos across Metro Vancouver, from $182.
See apartment & condo cleaning →Living room and bedrooms
- Dust from the top down: shelves, the TV stand, frames, lamps and window ledges.
- Wipe screens and electronics with a dry microfibre cloth.
- Vacuum the sofa, including under the cushions.
- Change the bedding and vacuum under the bed.
- Put things back where they live — in a small space, clutter is most of what makes a room look messy.
Floors
Vacuum everything first, then mop the hard floors. Many condos have laminate or engineered wood, which needs a barely damp mop — standing water and steam can damage it, and many flooring makers advise against steam mops. Tile can take a neutral floor cleaner. Our guide to cleaning hardwood floors goes into detail.
Windows, sills and condensation
- Clean the inside of the glass you can safely reach.
- In fall and winter, wipe condensation off the glass and frames in the morning.
- Vacuum the window and sliding-door tracks with a crevice tool, then wipe them.
- Small black spots on a sill can be washed with water and a little dish soap, then dried well.
Health Canada recommends keeping indoor humidity at or below 50% in summer and around 30–40% in winter. Our guide to preventing mould from window condensation explains how.
In-suite laundry and balcony
- Clear the dryer lint trap after every load.
- On a front-loading washer, wipe the rubber door seal and leave the door open to dry.
- Clean the detergent drawer once a month.
- Sweep the balcony and wipe the railing. Check your strata's rules before using water — our guide to cleaning a condo balcony covers what most buildings allow.
A simple condo cleaning schedule
| How often | Jobs |
|---|---|
| Every week | Counters, sink, stovetop, microwave, toilet, shower, bathroom sink, mirrors, vacuum and mop, bedding, trash and recycling |
| Every two weeks | Dust shelves and electronics, vacuum the sofa, wipe cabinet fronts and switches |
| Every month | Range hood filter, fridge clean-out, window and door tracks, dishwasher filter, washer seal and drawer, exhaust fan cover |
| Every season | Inside the oven, inside cabinets, baseboards, light fixtures, balcony, under heavy furniture |
A biweekly professional clean takes care of most of the weekly list; you keep up the daily basics in between. See a weekly house cleaning schedule you'll actually stick to for a day-by-day plan.
Building rules worth knowing
- Garbage chutes: most buildings want garbage bagged and tied, with recycling and cardboard taken to the recycling room instead.
- Quiet hours: if you vacuum or run the dishwasher late, check your strata's noise bylaws.
- Balconies: many stratas limit hosing or pressure washing because water runs onto the units below.
- Moving out: book the elevator for your movers, and book your move-out clean for after they're done.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my condo?
Do the basics — kitchen counters, sink, toilet, shower and floors — every week, and add one deeper job each month. Many condo owners book a professional clean every two weeks and keep up small daily tasks in between.
What order should I clean a condo in?
Work top to bottom and from the far end of the unit toward the door. Start with the kitchen and bathroom, then the living room and bedrooms, and do the floors last so you don't track dust onto clean surfaces.
How do I stop condensation on my condo windows?
Run the bathroom and kitchen fans, open blinds during the day, keep furniture slightly away from cold outside walls and try to keep winter humidity around 30–40%. Wipe the glass and frames when water collects.
Can I use a steam mop on laminate or engineered floors?
Many flooring makers advise against it, because heat and moisture can damage the boards and void the warranty. Use a barely damp microfibre mop instead and check your flooring's care guide.
How much does a professional condo clean cost?
At Good Maid, a studio or one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo under 1,000 sq ft is $182 for a standard clean and $277 for a deep clean. A two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo between 1,000 and 1,499 sq ft is $255 for a standard clean.
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