Apartment Cleaning Tips for Cambridge Renters

Make a small space work for you

• Keep surfaces clear: the less there is on counters and tables, the faster they are to wipe.
• Use a small caddy with your basic cleaners so you can carry everything from room to room.
• Clean from top to bottom and from the back of the room to the door, so dust falls onto floors you have not cleaned yet.

Kitchens and pests

Crumbs and food smells attract pests, especially in older multi-unit buildings. Store dry food in sealed containers, wipe up spills right away, do not leave dirty dishes overnight and take out the trash regularly.

If you see mice, cockroaches or bedbugs, tell your landlord in writing as soon as possible. In Massachusetts, landlords are generally responsible for pest control in buildings with more than one unit; see the Attorney General’s Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights.

Condensation and mold

Many older Cambridge apartments get condensation on windows in winter. Wipe it off, run the bathroom fan or open a window after showers, and keep furniture a few inches from cold outside walls. Report leaks or mold that keeps coming back to your landlord in writing.

Trash, recycling and compost

Cambridge collects trash, recycling and compost at the curb on set days. Check the City of Cambridge: Curbside Collections page for your pickup day and for what goes in each container. Rinse containers before recycling them and never bag your recycling unless the city says to.

Shared spaces

• Keep hallways and stairs clear: they are escape routes in an emergency.
• Clean up after yourself in shared laundry rooms.
• Agree on a simple rota with roommates for the kitchen, bathroom and trash.

Clean safely

• Never mix bleach with ammonia or with acidic cleaners such as vinegar or some toilet bowl cleaners. The combination releases dangerous gases.
• Open a window or run a fan when you use strong cleaning products.
• Keep products in their original containers, with the label, out of reach of children and pets.
• Look for products with the EPA Safer Choice label if you want cleaners that meet EPA criteria for safer ingredients.