I cannot get my family to stop placing things on it. I clean it and within hours it is back full of clutter. This has gotten to be a sore point. I am tired of picking things up off there.
Have a big clean plastic trash can, the type you can't reach the bottom. Put everything left on the counter, bar, or dining table in the can. Let them fish the items out when needed. Items will be contained until retrieved and out of sight.