The Home Reset Challenge Week 8: The Car!

I am adding this week to our Home Reset Challenge out of pure necessity. The (ugly) truth is... my car is a DISASTER. We will do a deep clean and the next day there will be snack littered everywhere, five pairs of kid shoes, 12 socks that magically don't have a match, 73 monster trucks, and a legion of "where did that even come from" mystery items. I know enough to realize this doesn't mean I need to clean my car more; I need a full reset of my habits and systems. So, week 8, we are tackling our car! Or, if you don't have a car, you can overhaul whatever your on-the-go system is.

Whether you're constantly chauffeuring kids around, commuting to work, or running errands, your car is an extension of your home. A little (or in my case a lot) organization and some thoughtful habits can keep it clean, functional, and stress-free.

The Habit: Get Rid of Trash & Non-Essentials Every Time You Exit

The easiest way to keep your car tidy is to remove clutter every time you get out. This means tossing any trash, taking in items that don’t belong, and doing a quick visual check before heading inside. It takes less than a minute but makes a massive difference in keeping your car clean without needing a deep clean every week.

If you have kids, get them involved! Make it a habit to have everyone grab their trash, cups, or toys when you arrive home. This habit is so simple and easy, it's kind of a no brainer to me, like why don't I do this every time we get out of the car?! Keeping this routine prevents the buildup of clutter that can easily turn your car into a garbage truck.

The System: Car Trash Can & Unloading Bin

A simple system can make this habit easier to maintain. Consider adding a small trash can or bag in your car to prevent garbage from accumulating. Here are a few options (click here to shop ALL my favorite car reset organization):

• Car Trash Can – A small, lidded trash can that fits in a cupholder or hooks onto the back of a seat.

• Reusable Trash Bag – A washable, leak-proof bag for collecting trash on the go.

• Unloading Bin – Keep a small basket or tote in the car for items that need to go inside. At the end of each trip, take the bin inside to unload everything at once instead of making multiple trips.

I am doing a FULL overhaul of my car system this week on social media (insta, YT, Tik Tok) and will be documenting my deep clean as well, so follow along (and don't judge my garbage truck wink wink).

Bonus: If you have kids, keep a small organizer in the backseat with essentials like wipes, tissues, and extra bags for quick clean-ups. This is something I started doing when I went somewhere without wipes on accident and ended up with a few less burp cloths at the end of the trip (IYKYK).

The Declutter Challenge: Car Deep Clean

Now that we’ve tackled daily maintenance, let’s reset the entire car with a deep clean. Set aside time this week to:

1. Empty Everything – Take everything out of your car, including the trunk and glove compartment.

2. Sort & Declutter – Get rid of trash, donate what you don’t need, and only put back the essentials.

3. Vacuum & Wipe Down – Give your car a fresh start by vacuuming floors and seats, wiping down surfaces, and cleaning windows.

4. Restock Smartly – Keep only what you truly need in the car. Essentials might include napkins, a first-aid kit, an umbrella, or a few reusable shopping bags.

This deep clean will make your car feel brand new, and with your new habit and system in place, it’ll stay that way!

Making It Stick

A clutter-free car makes daily life feel more peaceful. By sticking to the habit of removing trash and non-essentials every time you exit, and using a simple system to stay organized, you’ll never have to do another overwhelming car cleanout again

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Let me know how it’s going over on Instagram @karissaathome! I’d love to see your progress—tag me and use #TheHomeReset to share your clean and organized car!

Happy resetting!