Home Reset Checklist

So many times we hope there are secrets that will help us to keep our homes from getting messy. A secret that once we know it our lives will change and our home will be neat and tidy all the time. Today I have one of those secrets to share with you.

A home reset checklist that will keep your home neater and easier to keep that way. This is one of my favorite how to declutter tips and one I just love to talk about.

Be sure to get the FREE Home Reset Worksheet below!

Home Reset Checklist

As moms, we are constantly juggling a million things at once. And one of the many tasks that often gets put on the back burner is keeping our homes clean and tidy. But what if I told you there was a way to make it a little bit easier? How to organize your home and keep it that way.

Following this room reset checklist, you can keep your home put away in just a few minutes a day.

Before we get to the checklist, let’s go over the basics.

What is a room reset?

A room reset is when you go into a room, reset it back to neat, and put away. This is a fantastic clutter-free habit that you can do each evening before heading off to bed. Today we are going to take this tip even further with a full home reset checklist. How you can do without guessing, transforming your home with these tips!

How long does it take to do a room reset?

A room reset can take 5 minutes or 30. It all depends on the state of the room and how much it was used that day.

a woman putting items away holding a basket for home reset

When do you do a room reset?

For most rooms, it is best to reset it at the end of the day before heading off to bed. This will ensure you wake up to a tidy space which is the best way to start the day. There is one room, however, that is best to reset in the morning and that is the bedroom.

When you wake up in the morning before heading off to begin your day, take a few minutes to reset your bed and nightstand back to start so that evening you are greeted with a warm, peaceful, and inviting place to sleep.

Is there any room that should be reset more often?

Yes, there is one room that you can reset every time you use it and that is the bathroom. Take just 2 minutes to reset the bathroom each time you use it and you will always be greeted with a neat space every time you walk in.

A woman reaching for toilet paper to restock and reset a bathroom

How do you do a room reset?

A room reset is so simple you might just laugh at how easy it is to do.

  1. Walk into the room and turn on the lights so you can clearly see where the clutter is.
  2. Put anything you see that belongs in the room away.
  3. Armed with a laundry basket walk the room and gather up any items that belong in another room.
  4. Straighten up anything that needs it.
  5. Turn off the lights and leave your neat and tidy space.
  6. Walk your home putting anything away that you have inside of your basket until it is empty.

A room reset is quick, easy, and incredibly effective and hopefully, I have now won you over! If so, read on because it’s checklist time.

Yes words hung up with clothes pins on a string

Home Reset Checklist

I have each room listed below with a room reset plan you can follow. Please know you will not need to reset every room every day. Most of your rooms may not get used on a daily basis so those are the areas you can skip over.

Also, as you keep working on your decluttering journey you are going to find yourself putting more and more things away when you are finished using them.

Why is that so important?

Because the more you put away, the less you will have lying out, and that means less clutter to deal with.

I suggest always starting with the rooms that are the most important for you to have free of clutter. This way if you run out of time or simply get too tired to finish you will know that your top 1-3 spaces are reset and ready to go.

The Family Room – 10 minutes

  1. Gather up any trash or recyclables and toss them.
  2. Put any pillows and/or blankets back on the couch, in a basket, or in a cabinet.
  3. Return the remote to the container.
  4. Pick up any other items that stay in this room and put them where they belong.
  5. Put any items that belong in another room into your laundry basket.
  6. Turn off the TV.
  7. Close any windows if needed.
  8. Turn off the lights.
  9. Move on to the next room or, if you are done, walk your home and put anything in your laundry basket all the way away.
A messy family room of clutter copy

The Mudroom – 10 minutes

  1. Gather up any trash or recyclables and toss them.
  2. Put any shoes in the bin.
  3. Hang up any coats or bookbags that are lying out.
  4. Return any sunglasses, keys, or purses to where they belong.
  5. Pick up any sports supplies and put them away.
  6. Straighten any floor rugs
  7. Pick up any other items that stay in this room and put them where they belong.
  8. Put any items that belong in another room into your laundry basket.
  9. Close any windows if needed.
  10. Turn off the lights.
  11. Move onto the next room or, if you are done, walk your home and put anything in your laundry basket all the way away.

Puricon Stair Basket for Wooden Stairs, Stair Flax Step Storage Basket with Rope Handles Foldable Durable Staircase Storage Organizer for Home Carpeted Stairs -GreyPuricon Stair Basket for Wooden Stairs, Stair Flax Step Storage Basket with Rope Handles Foldable Durable Staircase Storage Organizer for Home Carpeted Stairs -GreyPuricon Stair Basket for Wooden Stairs, Stair Flax Step Storage Basket with Rope Handles Foldable Durable Staircase Storage Organizer for Home Carpeted Stairs -GreyMEGASKET Extra Large Blanket Basket, 22MEGASKET Extra Large Blanket Basket, 22MEGASKET Extra Large Blanket Basket, 22Aebeky A4 Size Plastic Paper Storage Trays,Desktop File Organizer Baskets,6-Packs (Grey)Aebeky A4 Size Plastic Paper Storage Trays,Desktop File Organizer Baskets,6-Packs (Grey)Aebeky A4 Size Plastic Paper Storage Trays,Desktop File Organizer Baskets,6-Packs (Grey)StorageWorks Round Paper Rope Storage Baskets, Rectangular Wicker Baskets with Built-in Handles, Medium, 13 ¼ x 8 ½ x 7 ¼ inches, 2-PackStorageWorks Round Paper Rope Storage Baskets, Rectangular Wicker Baskets with Built-in Handles, Medium, 13 ¼ x 8 ½ x 7 ¼ inches, 2-PackStorageWorks Round Paper Rope Storage Baskets, Rectangular Wicker Baskets with Built-in Handles, Medium, 13 ¼ x 8 ½ x 7 ¼ inches, 2-Pack

 

The Kitchen – 15 minutes

  1. Gather up any trash or recyclables and toss them.
  2. Put any food into the refrigerator or in the food pantry.
  3. Put any dirty dishes into the sink or dishwasher.
  4. Pick up any other items that stay in this room and put them where they belong.
  5. Put any items that belong in another room into your laundry basket.
  6. Wipe down your kitchen counters and kitchen table..
  7. Push in any chairs.
  8. Check the menu for the next day and defrost any meat.
  9. Prep coffee for the next morning.
  10. Close any windows if needed.
  11. Turn off the lights.
  12. Move onto the next room or, if you are done, walk your home and put anything in your laundry basket all the way away.

The Office – 10 minutes

  1. Gather up any trash or recyclables and toss or shred them.
  2. Put any office supplies away.
  3. If there are papers lying out, put them into a daily action basket.
  4. Pick up any items that stay in this room and put them where they belong.
  5. Put any items that belong in another room into your laundry basket.
  6. Shut down or put the computer in sleep mode.
  7. Close any windows if needed.
  8. Turn off the lights.
  9. Move onto the next room or, if you are done, walk your home and put anything in your laundry basket all the way away.

Desk Organizer with Drawers, 3 Drawers Storage Organizer, Desktop Storage Drawers for Office Supplies, Plastic Stationary Organizer, Makeup Organizer, Desk Storage Box for Office, School, HomeDesk Organizer with Drawers, 3 Drawers Storage Organizer, Desktop Storage Drawers for Office Supplies, Plastic Stationary Organizer, Makeup Organizer, Desk Storage Box for Office, School, HomeDesk Organizer with Drawers, 3 Drawers Storage Organizer, Desktop Storage Drawers for Office Supplies, Plastic Stationary Organizer, Makeup Organizer, Desk Storage Box for Office, School, HomeMarbrasse Pen Organizer with 2 Drawer, Multi-Functional Pencil Holder for Desk, Desk Organizers and Accessories with 5 Compartments + Drawer for Office Art Supplies (White)Marbrasse Pen Organizer with 2 Drawer, Multi-Functional Pencil Holder for Desk, Desk Organizers and Accessories with 5 Compartments + Drawer for Office Art Supplies (White)Marbrasse Pen Organizer with 2 Drawer, Multi-Functional Pencil Holder for Desk, Desk Organizers and Accessories with 5 Compartments + Drawer for Office Art Supplies (White)3 Pack Under Desk Drawer Organizer, Slide Out Desk Drawer, Clear Plastic Drawer Under Desk for Office, School, Home, Hidden Desktop Organizer Pen Holder for Desk Self-Adhesive (Clear, 3 Size)3 Pack Under Desk Drawer Organizer, Slide Out Desk Drawer, Clear Plastic Drawer Under Desk for Office, School, Home, Hidden Desktop Organizer Pen Holder for Desk Self-Adhesive (Clear, 3 Size)3 Pack Under Desk Drawer Organizer, Slide Out Desk Drawer, Clear Plastic Drawer Under Desk for Office, School, Home, Hidden Desktop Organizer Pen Holder for Desk Self-Adhesive (Clear, 3 Size)Marbrasse Desk Organizer, 360-Degree Rotating Pen Holder for Desk, Desk Organizers and Accessories with 5 Compartments Pencil Organizer, Art Supply Storage Box Caddy for Office, Home (Dark Green)Marbrasse Desk Organizer, 360-Degree Rotating Pen Holder for Desk, Desk Organizers and Accessories with 5 Compartments Pencil Organizer, Art Supply Storage Box Caddy for Office, Home (Dark Green)Marbrasse Desk Organizer, 360-Degree Rotating Pen Holder for Desk, Desk Organizers and Accessories with 5 Compartments Pencil Organizer, Art Supply Storage Box Caddy for Office, Home (Dark Green)

 

Rooms to reset after each use.

There is one room in the house that gets so much use, I have found it is better to reset it each time I use it.

The Bathroom – 2 minutes

  1. Gather up any trash and toss it.
  2. Put any dirty laundry into the basket.
  3. Hang up any towels.
  4. Restock any supplies such as toilet paper or tissues.
  5. Close the lid to the toilet.
  6. Wash out the sink as you are washing your hands.
  7. Dry the countertop.
  8. Turn off the lights.
  9. Move onto the next room or, if you are done, walk your home and put anything in your laundry basket all the way away.
Woman washing her hands in a bathroom sink.

Rooms to reset each morning.

Next on the home reset checklist is a room that should be reset in the morning rather than in the evening.

The Bedroom – 15 minutes

  1. Gather up any trash or recyclables and toss them.
  2. Make the bed.
  3. Put any dirty clothes into the hamper.
  4. Hang up any clothes that are clean.
  5. Clear off the top of your bedside table.
  6. Pick up any items that stay in this room and put them where they belong.
  7. Put any items that belong in another room into your laundry basket.
  8. Open curtains and shades.
  9. Turn off the lights.
  10. Move onto the next room or, if you are done, walk your home and put anything in your laundry basket all the way away.
Woman making bed with olive green linens, closeup

Other areas in your home that you can reset when finished using them.

Let’s talk about a few additional rooms where you may benefit from a room reset.

Your Car – 3 minutes

  1. Gather up any trash or recyclables and toss them.
  2. Pick up anything that is on the floor and put it away or toss it.
  3. Straighten the floor mats.
  4. Check the trunk for anything that doesn’t belong.
  5. Put any items that belong in the house in a bag for easier carrying.
  6. Check the lights.
  7. Check the gas gauge.
  8. Go into your home and put away anything you brought in with you.

Your Craft Room – 15 minutes

  1. Gather up any trash or recyclables and toss them.
  2. Put any tools away.
  3. Pick up any supplies.
  4. Stack projects that you are working on in orderly piles.
  5. Check the floor for any clutter.
  6. Pick up any items that stay in this room and put them where they belong.
  7. Put any items that belong in another room into your laundry basket.
  8. Turn off any gadgets.
  9. Close any windows if needed.
  10. Move onto the next room or, if you are done, walk your home and put anything in your laundry basket all the way away.

The Garage – 10 minutes

  1. Gather up any trash or recyclables and toss them.
  2. Pick up any items that stay in this room and put them where they belong.
  3. Put any items that belong in another room into your laundry basket.
  4. Close and lock the door.
  5. Move onto the next room or, if you are done, walk your home and put anything in your laundry basket all the way away.

The Laundry Room – 10 minutes

  1. Gather up any trash or recyclables and toss them.
  2. Empty the lint container.
  3. Take any clean clothes, fold and put them away.
  4. Transfer any wet clothes to the dryer and start it.
  5. If there are dirty clothes on the floor put them into a laundry basket.
  6. Put any items that belong in another room into your laundry basket.
  7. Start a load of clothes before you leave.
  8. Move onto the next room or, if you are done, walk your home and put anything in your laundry basket all the way away.

Start out with an easy room and turn this new task into a habit. A great place would be the bathroom. Just a few minutes and you can ensure you will always be greeted by a neat and tidy space.

a neat and tidy bathroom sink

Remember, resetting your rooms doesn’t have to be a huge production. A few minutes here and there can make a big difference in how your home looks and feels. And how great is it to know that when you invest a handful of minutes you can save yourself a big chunk of hours?

Now that you have your home reset checklist you can use this tip to keep your home clutter-free, organized, and easier to keep it that way!

More Clutter Stopping Resources:

Click here to subscribe

One Comment

  1. Love this flow and found some new things to add to mine but all in all it’s nice to see it really pays off and saves huge chucks of time and energy just by keeping up on this!!!!!! Oh for the SANITY!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *