They know the difference between neat and clean

A home may look clean as floors are mopped, carpets are vacuum-cleaned, and the bathroom is shiny. However, a home will not look clean if there are scattered clothes on non-made beds, there are tons of toys, working sheets and books on the floor because it is not tidy. That's why you can relax when your house is tidy but a little dirty, but be sure, a clean but messy home will not give anyone peace. 

People whose homes always seem clean are a disaster to clean and they don't wait for the house to be messy. They have routines—not schedules—to display every room of the house tidy. This means that you fold the blankets when you're finished with them, put the children's toys back after they've finished playing with them, hang your clothes on the hanger at the end of the day instead of leaving them wrinkled, and don’t let your laundry stay in the washing machine for hours when washing is finished, hang them out to dry. 

They make a habit of cleaning just as they make a habit of being neat and tidy. They wash the dishes right after eating, clean the bathroom right after taking a shower, and vacuum clean the floors right after they eat snacks in the living room. They keep large areas of the house clean throughout the week so that they do the demanding housework during the heavy cleaning. In this way, they preserve their energy for deep cleaning.

It is true that it's very difficult for their home to look messy when homeowners don't have a lot of items. That's why people whose homes look clean keep things simpler rather than cluttering the house with things they love to hide and clutter, so they don't have to organize everything all the time.