Try turning on some upbeat music to get yourself revved up while you clean. It also helps to have someone inspect your room after you clean so that she can tell you if you missed anything.
-Kirsten, age 13, Minnesota

Clean a little bit every day. On Monday, make sure your dresser is clean. On Tuesday, clean your desk. On Wednesday, tidy up your closet, etc. This makes it a lot less work!
-Sarah, age 12, South Carolina

My younger sister and I share a room, and it is always messy. We make a game out of cleaning. We see who can clean up all her stuff first. Other times we put on fast music and clean to the beat. Sometimes we set a timer and see if we can clean our room before the buzzer goes off. It works for us and makes cleaning fun!
-Haley, age 11, Missouri

I make a chart. If I can keep my room clean for a day, I make a high mark on the chart. If I don’t, I make a low mark. A chart helps you see how successful you are at cleaning your room. When you’ve earned enough high marks, give yourself a reward!
-Abbie, age 11, Wisconsin

Take a whole day to throw out or donate everything you don't need any longer. Then get your old toys and clothes you just can’t part with, pack them up in boxes, and put them away. This should help clear out a lot of stuff so that your room will be less cluttered.
-Shannon, age 13, New York

My mom came up with a great idea: each time you go into your room, pick up ten things. Either throw the things away, give them away, or put them away. If you keep at it, your room will stay clean.
-Sarah, age 11, New Jersey

Keep a list of the days you kept your room tidy or messy. At the end of each week, if you kept your room tidy every single day, give yourself a present.
-Julia, age 9, New York

Most people have messy rooms because there isn't anywhere to put things. Get matching plastic boxes and labels. Categorize your stuff, put it in separate boxes, and make labels on the computer with your favorite font. Then store the boxes where you can’t see them. If you make your room pretty and organized, you won't want to leave it a mess!
-Rachel, age 13, Ohio

Every night before you go to bed, spend just five to ten minutes cleaning.
-Caroline, age 11, Pennsylvania