Apartment cleaning is one of those things that sounds like a luxury until you’re staring down a Saturday that’s supposed to be your own, knowing that the bathroom grout isn’t going to scrub itself. At that point, the question isn’t really “should I hire someone?” It’s “why didn’t I do this sooner?”
Apartment cleaning services are more common than people think, and they’re not just for large homes or high-income households. A solid cleaning service saves you three to four hours on a weekend, delivers results that a quick wipe-down doesn’t, and in the case of move-out cleans, can directly protect your security deposit.
This guide covers exactly what apartment cleaning services include, what they typically cost in the Twin Cities area, and how to figure out whether it’s the right call for your situation.
What’s Included in a Standard Apartment Cleaning
The scope of a standard cleaning visit for an apartment covers the areas that see regular use and need consistent maintenance.
Kitchen:
- Wipe down countertops
- Clean stovetop and control panel
- Wipe exterior of appliances (refrigerator, microwave, oven, dishwasher)
- Clean the sink and polish the faucet
- Wipe cabinet fronts
- Sweep and mop the floor
Bathrooms:
- Scrub the toilet (bowl, seat, tank exterior, and base)
- Clean the sink and faucet
- Clean the tub or shower
- Wipe down the mirror and vanity
- Mop the floor
Living areas and bedrooms:
- Vacuum all carpets and rugs
- Mop hard floors
- Dust accessible surfaces (shelves, furniture tops, window sills)
- Wipe light switches and door handles
- Empty trash
This is the baseline. It’s what keeps a reasonably tidy apartment looking and feeling clean. It does not cover inside appliances, inside cabinets, grout scrubbing, baseboards, ceiling fans, or window tracks. Those fall into a more thorough cleaning category.
What’s Included in a Deep Apartment Cleaning
A deep clean covers everything in the standard clean plus the areas that don’t get touched during routine visits.
Additional kitchen areas:
- Inside the oven
- Inside the refrigerator (shelves, drawers, and door seals)
- Degreasing the range hood and filter
- Inside and outside all cabinets and drawers
- The dishwasher interior and filter
- Cleaning the garbage disposal
Additional bathroom areas:
- Scrubbing grout lines
- Removing soap scum and hard water deposits from shower glass or curtain
- Cleaning inside cabinets and the medicine cabinet
- The exhaust fan cover
- Behind and around the toilet base
Throughout the apartment:
- Baseboards
- Ceiling fan blades
- Window tracks and sills (interior)
- Inside closets and closet shelves
- Light fixtures
- Door frames and trim
Our deep cleaning service covers every one of these areas. For apartments that haven’t had a professional clean in a while, this is usually the right starting point before moving to a regular maintenance schedule.
Move-Out Cleaning: a Category of Its Own
If you’re leaving an apartment, a standard or even deep clean may not be enough to satisfy a landlord’s move-out requirements. Move-out cleaning is specifically designed to meet the standards that property managers and landlords inspect for.
It covers the full deep clean scope but with additional attention to areas landlords specifically check: inside every appliance, every cabinet, every closet shelf, wall marks, and condition of floors.
Getting your full security deposit back often comes down to the quality of your move-out clean. Professional move-out cleaning typically costs less than a single deposit deduction.
Our move-in/move-out cleaning service is specifically structured for this. We cover the full scope and can schedule around your moving timeline.
What Apartment Cleaning Typically Costs in Minnesota
Pricing varies based on apartment size, frequency of service, and the scope of cleaning (standard vs deep). Here are general benchmarks for the Twin Cities metro area.
For a standard one-bedroom apartment clean:
- One-time clean: $100 to $160
- Recurring biweekly: $80 to $130 per visit
- Recurring monthly: $90 to $145 per visit
For a two-bedroom apartment:
- One-time clean: $130 to $200
- Recurring biweekly: $110 to $175 per visit
- Recurring monthly: $120 to $185 per visit
Deep cleans run 50 to 80 percent higher than standard cleans for the same apartment size due to the additional time and scope.
Move-out cleans are typically priced similarly to or slightly higher than deep cleans, depending on the condition of the apartment.
These are ballpark figures. Actual pricing depends on the specific apartment, its condition, any special requests, and the company you hire. Contact SHINENOS for a quote specific to your unit.
Is Apartment Cleaning Worth It? the Honest Math
For most working adults in the Twin Cities, the answer is yes. Here’s the calculation.
A one-bedroom apartment cleaned every two weeks takes three to four hours if done thoroughly. Over a year, that’s 78 to 104 hours of your time. If you value your time at even a modest $20 per hour, that’s $1,560 to $2,080 of your time annually.
Biweekly professional cleaning for a one-bedroom in the metro typically runs $80 to $130 per visit, or roughly $2,000 to $3,400 annually. On the surface, that looks like a break-even or slight cost over DIY.
But the comparison misses a few things. Professional cleaners cover more thoroughly in the same time than most people do when cleaning their own space. The quality of a professional clean is typically higher in areas like bathroom grout, baseboards, and kitchen surfaces. You get those three to four hours back to use however you want, every two weeks, consistently.
For people who work full-time, commute, have kids, or have demanding schedules, that time has real value. The cleaning service pays for itself in recovered time and reduced stress.
According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, paying for services that save time, including cleaning, is consistently associated with greater life satisfaction, regardless of income level. The research found that this effect holds even when people feel the cost is a stretch.
How Apartment Cleaning Fits Into a Recurring Schedule
Most apartment dwellers who use a cleaning service do so on a biweekly or monthly basis.
Biweekly is the most common choice. Every two weeks keeps a standard apartment in consistently clean condition without requiring any significant DIY cleaning in between. It’s a popular option for singles, couples, and small families in one to two bedroom apartments.
Monthly is a good fit for people who stay on top of surface cleaning themselves and just want a professional to handle the deeper work once a month. It still delivers significant time savings and a more thorough clean than most people do on their own.
Our recurring cleaning service covers both options and can be adjusted over time as your needs change.
What Apartment Renters Often Overlook When Booking Cleaning
A few things worth knowing before your first booking.
Confirm what’s included in writing. What one company calls a “standard clean” another calls a “basic clean” with less scope. Ask for a specific list of what’s covered before you book.
Know the difference between inside and outside appliances. Many standard cleaning visits cover only the exterior of appliances. If you want the inside of the oven, refrigerator, or microwave cleaned, that’s typically an add-on or part of a deep clean.
Communicate about pets. If you have a dog or cat, the cleaning requires more vacuuming effort (pet hair collects on furniture, baseboards, and floors at a different rate) and some cleaners have restrictions around certain pets. Let the company know upfront.
Prepare the apartment before the cleaner arrives. Put away personal items, clear surfaces, and pick up clutter. Professional cleaners clean, they don’t organize. A cluttered apartment takes longer to clean and may not get the same results as a tidy one
Be home for the first visit if possible. Meeting your cleaning team on the first visit lets you walk through the apartment and communicate your priorities. After that, most clients provide access and don’t need to be present.
Finding a Reliable Apartment Cleaning Service in Minnesota
The Twin Cities has many cleaning services. Choosing a reliable one comes down to a few key factors.
Check reviews specifically from apartment clients. A company that primarily does large homes may not be as efficient in a smaller apartment layout.
Confirm insurance and employee status. Reputable cleaning companies carry liability insurance and hire their cleaners as employees (not independent contractors). This affects accountability and coverage if something is damaged.
Look for consistent communication. A good cleaning service confirms appointments, communicates about changes, and follows up after service. Unreliable communication early on typically means unreliable service.
Ask about their cleaning products. If you have sensitivities, allergies, or preferences for eco-friendly products, ask before booking.
SHINENOS serves apartments and homes across Eden Prairie, Edina, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Wayzata, and Excelsior.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does apartment cleaning take?
A standard clean for a one-bedroom apartment typically takes one to two hours with a professional team. A two-bedroom runs two to three hours. Deep cleans take longer, often twice the time of a standard clean for the same unit.
Do I need to supply cleaning products?
Most professional cleaning services bring their own products and equipment. Confirm this when booking. Some clients prefer the service to use their own products for allergy or fragrance reasons, which is usually accommodated with advance notice.
Can I book a one-time clean before deciding on a recurring schedule?
Yes, and it’s often a good approach. A one-time clean lets you evaluate the quality and fit of a service before committing to a regular schedule.
What happens if something gets damaged during cleaning?
A reputable cleaning company carries liability insurance that covers accidental damage during service. Ask about this policy before booking. Report any issues immediately after the visit.
Should I tip apartment cleaners?
Tipping is not required but is appreciated. A common practice is $10 to $20 per cleaner for a standard visit, more for deep cleans or when the job required extra effort.
Can cleaners clean while I’m at work?
Yes. Most recurring clients provide a key or access code. The cleaning team completes the work and secures the apartment when done.
Take Your Weekends Back
A clean apartment on a Friday evening feels different from one you’ve been meaning to clean all week. Professional apartment cleaning gives you that without giving up the hours it takes to get there yourself.
Whether you need a one-time reset or a regular schedule, SHINENOS has you covered. We serve the Twin Cities metro area with flexible scheduling and professional service that gets your apartment looking the way you want it.
Book your apartment cleaning today and get your weekends back.
