Does anyone know where the hot spot is for getting them to clean up after a meal? I've tried all around the table and they do everything but what I want them to do.

There is no way to make them clean up after a meal. It's something they do on their own eventually. If you close the game completely and then re-open it, the plates of food will be gone.

Thank you!

This is tedious, but if you keep picking them up until "Cleaning up after a meal" comes up and give them a piece of candy, then they will be more apt to clean up the table.