Helping Children Clean

How often do we as mothers say to our children, "Please clean up your room?" Do you have "clean your room" listed as a daily chore for your children, yet when you check the child's room after he has "cleaned" it, you can't see much progress?
I have realized that my idea of a clean room and my children's idea of a clean room can be vastly different. So, like I do for almost everything else, I broke the task down into steps, and I typed up a list! On the back of each of my children's doors is a list of steps for them to follow when cleaning their rooms. Here is an example:
1. Fold and put your pajamas in the drawer.
2. Fold and put away any clean clothes.
3. Put all dirty clothes in the dirty clothes basket.
4. Throw away all trash from the floor, dresser, nightstands, and anywhere else.
5. Make your bed.
6. Put all books on the shelf.
7. Put all toys and other items in their homes.
8. Put away all of your crocheting, knitting, and other sewing projects (for the girls).

Now when I instruct them to "clean their room", (morning and afternoon), they know exactly what to do!
I also have similar lists in the bathrooms so they know what I expect in there too.
Remember to inspect their work on a regular basis. If you get slack in checking their work, they will become slack in following all of the steps!