Turns out, the key to keeping a consistently clean house is staying on top of chores a little bit at a time. Rather than attempting to clean the entire house all at once, try tackling small tasks — like wiping down counters, starting a load of laundry or putting away stray items — when you have a few minutes to spare.

As you move from room-to-room or level-to-level, don't neglect common areas like hallways and stairs. Dust and clean any lighting fixtures in these spaces, wipe down walls, baseboards, windowsills, door knobs, and window treatments. Make sure to finish these miscellaneous spots with a thorough sweep or vacuum.