How to Reset Your Entire Home in Just 15 Minutes

Summer brings a different kind of mess! With longer days, spontaneous outings, and kids constantly in and out of the house, it’s easy to feel like your home is in a permanent state of "what just happened here?"

Instead of trying to deep clean everything (because, let’s be honest, we don’t have time for that every day), I rely on 15-minute resets. These are little routines I’ve built into our days that help me feel like the house is in a good place, even if there are still kids' stuff on the floor or a pile of laundry waiting for me later.

I’m sharing how I personally reset each space, with things I do every week (or every day), so it feels like home again, even in the peak of summer chaos.

Kitchen Reset

This is the first room I usually tackle. It's the hub - snacks, drinks, messes, meals. It sees the most action.

• Dishwasher first: If it’s clean, I unload it. If it’s dirty, I fill it. Even just stacking dishes next to the sink neatly makes a huge difference in how I feel - but usually, if I can do this, I just put them away!

• Wipe down counters: I use Force of Nature all-purpose spray (to disinfect and clean!) and go over the counters, table, and the highchair tray. Sticky watermelon juice and snack crumbs pile up fast in summer.

• Clear the island or table: This is where stuff tends to land. Things like sunglasses, sunscreen bottles, miscellaneous items, etc. I either re-home it or toss it in a basket to sort later.

• Fridge check: I toss anything expired or questionable, make space for leftovers, and make sure cut fruit or veggies are prepped and ready to grab.

  
  

It’s not about making the kitchen perfect, it’s about making it functional for the next round of meals and messes.

Living Room Reset

This space is where we relax, play, read books, swing, and hang out. I try to reset it once midday and again after the kids go to bed.

• Pillows and blankets: I fluff and set the pillows, fold the blankets, and move anything off the couch that has piled up. Something about a tidy couch makes me feel like we have it together, even if we don’t.

• Toy sweep: We keep a large basket by the couch. I do a quick round-up and toss everything in. My goal isn’t perfection - it’s floor space.

• Fresh air: I crack a window or run the diffuser with something bright and uplifting.

• Wipe surfaces: In our living room, we have a bookshelf that I will wipe or dust, but if you have coffee tables or side tables, you can quickly wipe these down as well.

  
  

When the living room feels picked up, I’m way more likely to want to sit down and relax.

Kids' Play Area Reset

Whether it’s a corner of the living room or a full playroom, the kids’ area can go from cute to chaos in under a minute. I like to give this space a little love daily.

• Bins and Baskets: I do a quick reset by sorting toys into their designated homes - blocks in one basket, books on the shelf, and miscellaneous pieces in a catch-all bin.

• Surface check: I wipe down the play kitchen and toy shelf because they both can collect dust and grime quickly.

• Rotate toys: Every so often, I’ll rotate in a few toys from storage and put others away. It keeps the space feeling fresh without needing more stuff. Check out this blog to hear about the benefits of establishing a toy rotation!

• Declutter moment: If I notice a toy with missing pieces or something they’ve clearly outgrown, I quietly pull it aside to donate or toss.

  
  

It’s amazing how much calmer both the kids and I feel when the play space isn’t total mayhem.

Bedroom Reset

Even if I don’t get to every room, I try to reset our bedroom once a day, usually in the morning while the kids play.

• Make the bed: This is my number one tip. Even if the rest of the room is messy, a made bed makes the room feel calm and put together.

• Tidy nightstands: I move water glasses to the sink and stack books or reset my diffuser.

• Clothing chaos: I toss anything on the floor into the hamper or rehang what’s clean (though sometimes you can move clothes that need to be hung up to the closet for later). I also keep a bin in my closet for things that need to be donated or stored.

• Open up the space: I pull open the curtains and let in the light. This helps wake everyone up and makes the space feel refreshed.

It’s a small act of self-care that pays off later, especially at bedtime.

Entryway or Drop Zone Reset

This is the area that sees the most action in summer - muddy shoes, damp towels, beach bags, bug spray.

• Shoes: I do a quick lineup of shoes on the shoe shelf that we have and toss extras in a bin. If they’re really dirty, I bring a rag and give them a quick wipe.

• Gear check: Hats, sunglasses, towels, and swimsuits tend to pile here. I hang what’s dry and toss anything damp in the laundry.

• Sweep it out: A fast sweep helps keep dirt from traveling through the house. This space could also use a quick vacuum when I have the time.

  
  

Having a clean entryway makes me feel more in control when we’re coming and going all day.

Bonus Spaces!

Outdoor Spaces

We’re outside a lot during summer - backyard picnics, splash pad play, popsicles on the porch. I try to do a mini reset outside once or twice a week.

• Toys: I gather up buckets, chalk, balls, and other things into a mesh basket that lives on our porch.

• Furniture check: I shake off or rinse outdoor cushions if they’ve collected too much dirt or snacks.

• Plant love: A quick water or weed pull makes everything look tidier.

  
  

It doesn’t need to be magazine-perfect, just tidy enough you can enjoy!

Car Reset

Our car is basically a second home in the summer. Between road trips, pool days, and spontaneous playground stops, it can spiral fast.

• Trash bag check: I keep a small bag up front and empty it every few days.

• Essentials bin: I keep wipes, sunscreen, a change of clothes for each kid, and a wet bag in a small bin in the trunk. Check out this blog to see what I keep stocked in our emergency car bag!

• Quick tidy: I grab water bottles, wrappers, or socks (because somehow there’s always a random sock?) and bring them inside.

  
  

The goal isn’t a spotless car - just a manageable one that doesn’t stress me out when I buckle the kids in.

Conclusion

15-minute resets are my secret weapon in the summer. They don’t require perfection, just intention. When I take the time to reset one space, it motivates me to keep going - or at least helps me breathe a little easier while I chase down the next snack request.

What’s your favorite room to reset in the summer? Or the one you avoid the most?

Always,

Jess