Trying to get the house cleaned & getting nowhere!!!?

I've been unemployed for a few weeks now, and to be honest, I've not been doing that much around the house!! I've tidied up, hoovered, polished, did the washing ect, but I've been out of my routine for so long, I'm finding it so hard to get it back!! Both my hubby & I got paid off in the same week, and beleive it or not, we both start work on the 25th!! So I'm trying to get the house into some sort of shape before I start back! Can anyone give me any tips on how to get it done?? Have a 3 bed house, 2 kids ( youngest is 23!! ) a husband and 2 dogs to contend with!! Any house keeping cheats welcome!! Apart form the sweep it under the carpet routine!! I mean serious tips. Thanks in advance.