A Futile Wish

They make frost-free freezers, self-cleaning ovens, irons and coffemakers, why can't they come up with a self-cleaning house?  I don't necessarily want mine to be ready for a photo shoot by "House Beautiful", but I always pictured myself living in a house where I could welcome guests at any moment if someone just decided to drop by.  The reality?  I need at least 3 hours notice, and that only gives me enough time to transfer the clutter to somewhere the potential guest(s) won't be.