Cleaning is one of the constants in life – you may not like it, but you’re going to have to deal with it eventually. According to a study conducted by Duck Brand, 55% of Americans say their homes could be more organized. If you want to keep your house tidy without sacrificing your family’s free time, try these tips for making chores more efficient. Spot cleaning is your greatest weapon. As soon as you notice dust bunnies in the corner or a sticky stain on the counter, clean it up. To motivate yourself to clean or declutter a little each day, set a timer for 10 minutes. Work quickly until it goes off, and then move on with your day. These small actions will help you stretch the time between deep cleans while still maintaining a well-kept home. For quick touch-ups, try storing cleaning supplies in multiple locations. You’re more likely to clean up small messes on a regular basis if you don’t have to track down supplies first. For example, stash an extra hand broom and dustpan in your bathroom, or conceal a stick vacuum behind your couch. In the kitchen, stay on top of dishes by washing them right after each meal, and make it a habit to unload the dishwasher first thing in the morning. Finding ways to make cleaning fun will encourage you and your household to keep up with chores. Turn on some music and sing along, or transform tasks into a game. Creating a weekly cleaning schedule can help as well. Try assigning the cleaning of each room to a different day of the week, and make sure each family member knows his or her responsibilities. Don’t forget to include monthly projects such as deep cleaning the refrigerator or stove, and save those tasks for the weekends.