You’ve done the hard work of saving for and securing your own brand new apartment, and now you get to sit back and enjoy it all. Everything is fresh and new, including your shiny new apartment kitchen. But how do you keep it that way? Just as regular oil changes keep your car engine purring nicely, keeping up with regular apartment maintenance tasks will help your home run smoothly and reduce future headaches and wasted money.
Apartment Maintenance Checklist
It can be intimidating to think about the various tasks required to keep your new home in order, especially if you’re a first-time homeowner. There’s a pretty long list, but the good news is that you can do the majority of it on your own without much experience, and spread the load across the year.
A home maintenance calendar is a good idea to keep things in order, maximise your time and reduce overwhelm when the weekend rolls around. Every apartment has its own requirements and your timing will be determined by your schedule, so this isn’t a black and white list. It will, however, give you a good idea of what needs doing to keep your apartment happy for years and years to come.
Seasonal Cleaning Checklist
Summer – Check grout in the apartment kitchen and bathroom, clean the dryer exhaust vent, and look for signs of insect activity.
Autumn – Before the colder months arrive, clean heating ducts and have the hot water system checked.
Winter – Tighten cupboard handles and knobs, inspect interior walls for chipped paint, check door locks and deadbolts, and inspect caulking around showers, bathtubs, and windows.
Spring – Declutter items that are no longer practical or useful. Focus on the refrigerator, kitchen cupboards, and wardrobes. Spring is also a great time to service your air conditioning in preparation for summer.
Weekly Cleaning Checklist
- Clean stovetop
- Vacuum and mop floors
- Dust benchtops
- Wash bed linen
- Clean and maintain bathrooms
- Empty all wastebaskets
Monthly Cleaning Checklist
- Check fire extinguishers
- Clean range hood filter
- Clean dishwasher
- Deep clean bathrooms, including grout
- Check and replace interior lights as needed
- Clean windows
- Wipe down walls and doors
- Clean oven (frequency may vary depending on usage)
Quarterly Cleaning Checklist
- Test smoke detectors and replace batteries if needed
- Deep clean appliances, blinds, and surfaces
- Have carpets professionally cleaned (more often if you have pets)
- Steam clean curtains and couches
- Remove and clean showerheads to clear sediment
Tips for Saving on Home Maintenance
As with saving for anything, planning and discipline are essential. A good rule of thumb is to regularly set aside a portion of your household income into a maintenance or emergency fund that isn’t easily accessible. Buying cleaning products in bulk and investing in quality tools upfront can also help prevent unnecessary replacement costs over time.
