My roommate never helps clean, but pays rent on time, should I say something or just deal with it?

I've been living with my current roommate, Alex, for almost 9 months now. We found each other through a mutual friend, and overall, things are okay, we don’t fight, they’re quiet, pay rent and bills on time, and we mostly keep to ourselves.

The issue is the cleaning.

From the beginning, I’ve been the one doing most of the cleaning, kitchen, bathroom, trash, vacuuming. At first, I didn’t mind. I thought maybe Alex would eventually step up. But it’s been months, and it’s always me scrubbing the sink, wiping down counters, or doing dishes that aren’t mine. Alex just, doesn’t seem to notice or care.

We’ve never really talked about chores because it felt awkward. I didn’t want to come off as petty or controlling, especially since we get along otherwise. But I’m starting to feel more like a maid than a roommate.

It’s building up, and I don’t want to resent them. I just want a fair system. But I also worry that bringing it up will make things tense or uncomfortable in the apartment.

So, How do I bring this up without making it a big fight or ruining the roommate vibe? Have any of you dealt with something like this, what worked for you?