My Weekly Reset Routine for a Cleaner, Calmer Home

lindsay Metternich
Jul 15
4 min read

By Lindsay Metternich | Harmony Helpers

Let me tell you a secret: I don’t always keep a spotless house.There are weeks the laundry wins, the dishes pile up, and the fridge looks like a food crime scene. And you know what? That’s life. But when everything starts to feel overwhelming—when the mess outside starts to match the chaos inside—I know it’s time for one thing:

The Weekly Reset.

This little rhythm isn’t about scrubbing every baseboard or turning into a cleaning machine.It’s about hitting “refresh” on my space and my brain.It’s about creating a home that feels manageable again—without burning out.

Today, I’m sharing what my weekly reset routine looks like, how I make it doable (with teens, toddlers, and real life), and why it helps me start each week calmer, clearer, and more grounded.

Why I Started Doing a Weekly Reset

I used to clean constantly but never feel caught up.I was always reacting—cleaning because someone was coming over, or because I stepped on a LEGO barefoot at 7 a.m.

But a reset isn’t about reacting. It’s about reclaiming.

One day each week (usually Sunday), I set aside 1–2 hours to reset the house—not to perfection, but to functional peace.

What I Include in My Weekly Reset

I split my reset into 5 categories:

Clear the Clutter
Reset the Kitchen
Reset the Calendar
Reset the Laundry & Linens
Reset My Mind

Let’s break them down:

1. Clear the Clutter (15–20 minutes)

This is a surface sweep—not a deep dive.

Grab a laundry basket or bin and walk through the main living spaces
Toss in anything that doesn’t belong: shoes, toys, cups, mail, rogue socks
Enlist the kids to do their rooms with their own baskets
Set a timer and race the clock—make it fun!

Bonus Tip:If I don’t know where something goes, it goes in the “decide later” bin that I revisit once a month.

2. Reset the Kitchen (20–30 minutes)

This part is magical for me. A clean kitchen is like a deep breath.

Wipe counters, sweep the floor
Toss leftovers that died in the back of the fridge
Run the dishwasher and reset the sink
Take a quick inventory of what we have (saves grocery money!)
Restock snack bins and refill the coffee or tea drawer

Optional:Start the week with a clean fruit bowl on the counter—it makes me feel like I have my life together even if I don’t.

3. Reset the Calendar (10–15 minutes)

This might be the most important one—and it has nothing to do with cleaning.

I check the family calendar (appointments, school events, sports)
I plan out meals for the week
I write down 2–3 personal goals (like workout, alone time, or a phone call I want to make)
I block out a “no plans” day if possible—just for rest or catch-up

Tip:If I don’t see the plan, I don’t follow the plan. So I write it out in my planner or put it on a whiteboard in the kitchen.

4. Reset the Laundry & Linens (30 minutes)

Laundry is never really “done,” but a weekly reset keeps it from spiraling.

Here’s what I tackle:

Wash and change the sheets (we all sleep better)
Fold and put away one laundry basket that’s been staring at me
Do a towel load (including dish towels and bathroom hand towels)
Check the sock bin for any “where do you belong” mysteries

Optional Reset Add-On:Prep a “launchpad” for each kid—backpacks, shoes, water bottles in one place by the door.

5. Reset My Mind (10–15 minutes)

This part might sound silly, but it’s what makes the rest of it stick.

Light a candle or diffuse something calm
Play my favorite playlist or spend 10 minutes journaling
List 3 things I’m grateful for from the past week
Brain-dump anything that’s weighing on me and choose 1 thing to let go of

Because a clean home is lovely—but a clear head is the goal.

How I Make It Work with Kids

This is a family reset, not a solo show.

For teens:

They get their own mini-reset lists: clean your space, do your laundry, reset your school bag
I use checklists and let them earn something simple like screen time or time with friends when they finish
They don’t love it… but they do it. And it’s teaching life skills.

For toddlers:

I give simple “helper” jobs: putting socks in the basket, wiping with a baby cloth, refilling the dog bowl
We sing songs, use timers, and dance while we tidy
It’s not efficient—but it’s meaningful

Why This Works (Even If It’s Not Perfect)

It gives our week a clean slate. It keeps the house from falling apart by Wednesday.It turns Sunday from stressful into grounding.

But most of all, it reminds me that I can reset without starting over. That I can find peace in a little order, even if life’s still messy.

Want to Try It?

Start with one hour. Pick two or three categories and set a timer. Don’t aim for spotless—aim for lighter.

And if you do? You’ll start the week breathing a little deeper. You’ll notice the kitchen doesn’t stress you out as much. You’ll find tiny moments of calm, and they’ll carry you further than you think.

Let your reset be soft, slow, and sacred.

You deserve a home that feels like peace, not pressure. And this little rhythm might just help you find it.

– Lindsay