Seems you've got a lot of great responses. I looked over a few, and I think the basic theme may be the same as what my response is. The home is everyone's responsibility, and it is amonth the top priorities. So, things like activities that are loved, such as football, cannot happen if the kitchen isn't clean.
One thing we tried with our teenagers is the consequence in the moment approach. For instance, when your son is on his way out the door to go to such and such activity, you can tell him "wait, where do you think your going?" When he says, "oh, I'm going to the football rally, remember?" You can say, "Oh I'm sorry honey, you can't go. Remember the laundry you were supposed to do. It never got done. So you can't go have fun when you're work isn't finished." He'll be very angry this time, but he will be less likely to take the chance of missing a chore next time if he knows there will be a concequence, and he can't emotionally prepare to not care about it. Understand that teens especially will decide they are accepting a pre determined consequence when they decide on the behavior that will bring out the consequence. They will already have decided they don't care, and convinced themselves of this. They can't avoid how they feel about the consequence when they didn't know about it in the beginning.
One thing about saying you'll take away allowance is that it communicates that they have a choice. They can choose to do the chore or to go without allowance. They cannot have a choice when it comes to following your instructions and contributing. If they go to bed with the work undone, wake them up and make them do it. These things may seem extreme, but they won't keep it up, and it will show them that you are serious, and that they have no choice but to contribute. It's a skill they have to understand so that they take care of themselves and are contributors to their community.
Don't allow them to force you to compare them to each other or to defend/explain your actions around another of your children. Maybe your twin boy got a get a special allowance (not financial) because of another accomplishment. You don't have to run that by his sister for her approval. You may choose to tell her in order to encourage similar behavior, but the intent is different.
Also, don't be extreme or get too angry. Remember their behaviors are normal, and you are responding in ways that are centered around their development into productive adults. Don't take their actions personally, and don't yell with or argue with them. Just be firm, and emotionally move right on with your day. If you get them out of bed to finish the dishes, make sure you walk them back and say "Love you, goodnight," when they get into the bed to show you aren't angry. Not to gloat, nor to beg them not to be4 angry with you, but to say, no matter what, I still love you and wish you a good night's sleep, and don't worry about their response.
Ultimately you want to be consistant and you want to make sure that they meet expectations that you set. Sitting down with them was a great idea. Clearly communicating expectations is important. Being clear about what is not compromisable is also important, as well as being prepared to follow through with that assertion. You may also sit down with them together, and just have a decent conversation when noone is upset to discuss the house and what everyone wants to see happening within the home.
Make sure you husband is on board with you though P.. If he tells you to lay off in front of the children, it will undermine everything.
Good luck lady!