8 Simple Steps to Clean and Reset Your House

Let’s talk about those days when everything feels like it’s spiraling. The dishes are stacked high, the laundry is multiplying by the minute, and every room looks like a “before” photo. You want to get the house in order, but the overwhelm hits hard. Where do you even start?

This isn’t about deep cleaning or organizing your entire life. It’s about getting your home back to a place where it feels peaceful again. Functional. Livable. A reset for your house that doesn’t require a full weekend or an army of helpers.

You’re going to move step by step, one thing at a time. No bouncing around. No organizing the junk drawer in the middle of cleaning the kitchen. Just stay focused.

Step 1: Start the Laundry

Pick a load and get it going. Towels, kids’ clothes, the mystery pile on the bathroom floor—just choose one and start. Don’t overthink it. While that first load runs, you’ll be moving through the rest of the list. By the time you’re wrapping up, you might even be ready to swap it out and keep going.

Laundry is always lurking, but starting that first load gives you instant momentum. You’re not stuck anymore—you’re moving forward.

Step 2: Trash Patrol

Grab a big trash bag and hit every room. Look for obvious trash. Old receipts, broken toys, wrappers, packaging, random paper piles—toss it. Don’t stop to clean anything else right now. Trash only.

This step may not feel glamorous, but it instantly makes the house feel lighter. Less cluttered. More breathable. You might even catch yourself taking deeper breaths as you see floor space again.

Step 3: Collect Laundry and Clutter

You’ll need two laundry baskets—one for dirty laundry, one for clutter. Walk through your whole house. Toss clothes and towels into the laundry basket. Toss toys, books, cups, remotes, and other out-of-place things into the clutter basket. Don’t stop to put anything away yet.

Once you’ve made the rounds, drop off the dirty laundry in the laundry room. Then take the clutter basket and deliver the items to the rooms they belong in. Just the rooms. No need to sort them perfectly right now. Getting everything where it belongs—even if it’s not in the right drawer—is still a win.

Step 4: Reset the Rooms

Now go room by room and tidy up. Make beds. Put stuff back where it belongs. Books on the shelf. Clothes in drawers. Toys in bins. Remote by the TV.

Make fast decisions. You’re not creating a Pinterest-perfect space. You’re creating peace. Resetting your house doesn’t mean perfection—it just means progress. You’re building calm into the chaos, and that counts.

Step 5: Tackle the Dishes

Head to the kitchen and deal with the dishes. Unload the dishwasher if it’s clean. Load it if it’s dirty. Wash what’s in the sink. Give the counters a quick wipe.

A clean kitchen has a ripple effect. It’s the heart of your home, and when it feels calm and under control, it spreads to the rest of the house. Light a candle or set out a simple bouquet if you have one—just a small touch to say, “we’re okay here.”

Step 6: Wipe and Dust

Grab a cleaner, some rags, and a little motivation. Wipe down surfaces—kitchen counters, bathroom sinks, coffee tables, dressers. Dust if it’s needed. Clean the mirrors too. You’ll be amazed how a few swipes with a cloth can make the whole space feel fresh again.

Don’t forget the little corners where crumbs and fingerprints like to hide. It’s those tiny details that make your home feel genuinely clean, even when the day was hectic.

Step 7: Clean the Bathrooms

Don’t worry about scrubbing every inch. This is a quick freshen-up. Wipe the mirror, spray and wipe the sink and counter, clean the toilet seat and handle, swish the toilet bowl. Rinse the tub or shower if it needs it.

You’re not deep cleaning. You’re just making sure no one cringes when they walk in. Give it that “company’s coming” vibe, even if it’s just you.

Step 8: Sweep and Mop

Sweep the hard floors—kitchen, hallway, bathroom, living room. Then mop. Focus on the spaces your family actually uses. You don’t need to get behind every door or under every bed. Just give your floors a refresh.

Clean floors are like hitting the reset button on your entire home. You’ll hear them squeak a little under bare feet, and it’ll feel good.

Bonus Tip: Add Something Beautiful

Once your home is back to feeling peaceful and livable, take a moment to add one simple thing that brings joy. Maybe it’s lighting a candle, putting out fresh flowers, or setting out something meaningful like one of these Olive Wood Crosses on a bookshelf or entryway table. These crosses are hand-carved and carry such quiet beauty—it’s a lovely way to invite peace into your space. Little touches like that can turn your space from clean to comforting.

You Did It

This isn’t about being perfectly clean. It’s about creating peace. One step at a time. No distractions. No side projects. Just a simple cleaning routine to reset your house and reclaim your day.

Your home doesn’t have to be spotless to feel good. It just needs a little order. A little care. And now you’ve got a clear plan to help you get there.

Forest Rose

Forest Rose is a God Loving, Blessed Wife, &  Mama to 3 girls. She’s passionate about lifting moms out of the trenches that are discouraged, overwhelmed, or feeling alone or isolated. Her hope is to point them to Christ and equip them to rise up with a newfound hope and joy within, that He alone can provide. Besides blogging, she also loves to create printables!