I have found the secret is you involve them in the cleaning and tidying instead of trying to sneak away and do it while they're playing and ending up with them whinging at your feet. That's what I do and my house is generally tidy. We have some mess of course but nothing I worry about. And there's always some toys out that are currently in use. Nothing is ever going to be spotless with little kids.

But if you let them help it's much easier. My kids LOVE to feel helpful and like they're doing something important. Even DD2 who is 16 months. So for e.g. if I'm doing the washing they can help put the things in the machine, pull them out when they're done, hand me pegs, push the washing basket to their room, 'fold' clothes, and hand me clothes to put away. Or sometimes they start a game and the washing basket becomes a boat and I can continue packing away Sure, it means it takes a bit longer, but they get to learn how to do stuff, feel important, and start good habits with helping with all the chores, and you get a tidy house. It's win win!

Works for us here anyway