Contributed by Jenna Scaglione, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

Clutter, dishes and laundry—oh my! The never-ending burden of housecleaning can overwhelm even the neatest among us.

Why is it that once a mess is cleaned another seems to rear its ugly head almost immediately?

Small spaces, your child’s toys, and the family dog can have you running in continuous circles just to keep some semblance of a clean house.

Before you unleash a ninja kick to your vacuum cleaner, take a look at these top 10 tips for keeping the house clean for the long haul.

10. Avoid overload – clean a little at a time

It’s better to focus on one room a day rather than to face a disaster on the weekend. If you have high-traffic rooms, like a room filled with toys for your children, do your best to keep it looking decent, but know that these rooms can wait for the weekend. Investing in easy-to-use storage like toy boxes can make clean up faster and easier.

9. Recruit your kids

If your children are old enough to put on their favorite clothes, chances are they are old enough to pick up around the house and clean up their own mess.

8. Make cleaning fun

Haven’t you ever noticed how your broom resembles a microphone? Throw on some tunes and have a party! Let the music inspire you and dance while you clean. Who said cleaning wasn’t fun?

7. No shoes in the house!

Dirty rugs and floors make a house look messy even if you are an expert with your carpet cleaner. Adopting a “no shoes” policy will keep your floors fresh and clean from outdoor dust, dirt and allergens.

6. Stay organized

Out with the old, in with the new! If you do not use an item for over a year, throw it out. Assign 30 minutes a week to rid your house of excess clutter. Not only will you have less to clean, but you will feel so much lighter.

5. Assign family chores

A chore chart will ensure that everyone in the family does their part. From folding laundry to cleaning every surface in the house, pass out the chores and offer incentives for extra work.

4. Pick up as you go

Don’t walk over that load of laundry on the stairs. It takes one extra second to pick up items if you are already “en route” to a room.

3. Hire someone to help

If at all possible, hire a service to help you out. Keeping a house maintained and clean can be a huge stress especially if both adults work.

2. Keep the clutter in the entryway

If you have children, school backpacks, coats, shoes, keys and a whole host of items that must go somewhere, keep them in one designated spot so you can control the clutter. Install wire shelving so that everything has its place. Not only will you keep the clutter confined to one space, but you will also know where your keys are at all times!

1. A little clutter never hurt anyone

Your steam cleaner and mop can hold off a little longer. Sometimes you just have to throw in the towel, if just for a little while. Relax and realize that a little mess isn’t the end of the world. If you can keep the clutter to a minimum, you are doing a fantastic job!