Fall & holiday home reset

Get ready for company without cleaning the whole house

The seasons changing can be a great nudge to refresh our homes and start a few healthier habits. If the thought of getting your home fall and holiday ready makes you want to close the cleaning cabinet and walk away, start smaller. You don’t need to do everything today.

Start with 15 minutes

Pick one spot you’ll see every day: the kitchen counter, bathroom sink, or entryway. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Put away what doesn’t belong, wipe the surface, and stop when the timer goes off. That counts.

Do a quick under-sink audit

Take a look at what you’re actually using. Are there half-empty bottles doing the same job? Products you forgot you owned? Set aside what you no longer need and keep the tools you reach for most easy to grab. Follow the label for safe storage and disposal, and keep cleaning products out of children’s and pets’ reach.

When guests are coming

Focus on the places they’ll use: the entryway, bathroom, and kitchen. Clear the obvious clutter, wipe the high-touch surfaces, and put out a fresh hand towel. Save the linen closet for another day.

That’s the idea behind The Norwegian Way, too. If you’d like to see how I put a few everyday tools to work around the house, watch my demo.