Adopt a few new habits to keep your home tidy without a full cleaning spree. By Marla Christiansen Keeping up with household chores can be a drag, but it doesn’t have to be as time-consuming as you think. So, what’s the secret? Perpetually tidy homes are often the product of a few good habits. Life gets messy, that’s why it’s important to remember that cleaning is an ongoing process—it's a marathon, not a sprint.