Mom would say... #8 Clean your room

"A clean house helps organize the mind," according to my mom. "Everything seems clearer when the house is in order."

Need help to tackle a room (or house) out of control? It's easy to let things slide, but these resources can help get your home back.

1. Don Aslett has written a bunch of books that I found helpful: he's a professional cleaner with amazing ideas on thorough cleaning with efficiency. Start here if you need a cleaning coach.
2. The magazine my mom used to read - Woman's Day - is online with tips for quickly cleaning a house.
3. If you thrive on time management ("I have 1 - or 5 or 10 - minutes, so what can I get done?"), these Housewives checklists are for you!
4. Martha Stewart on laundry. Check out the other great tips on her website.
5. WikiHow is amazingly practical about cleaning a child's room.

Keep in mind:

• To have a home is a gift, whether it's rented or owned. Many people have never had a place to call their own.
• Your house reflects your state of mind and your taste.
• That said, rich or poor is not the issue. You can be clean or dirty in either.
• Hospitality is your gift to the world. Invite the world in!
• People love you because you're nice "people," not because of your house or fancy furnishings.

Have any great resources to share? We'd love them (comments below).