The homeowner’s guide to sprucing up your home for CNY 2025

Chinese New Year aka CNY is just around the corner… so it’s time to start spring-cleaning! Spending hours cleaning your home might not be the ideal way to pass your weekend, but hey: you’ll feel immensely proud of yourself upon seeing your home spick and span. Read this guide and start planning accordingly!

CNY Auspicious dates to start spring cleaning 2025

The dates in the table below are said to be the best dates to “辞旧迎新” (ie send away old energy, and usher in new energy). Just make sure that you don’t start spring cleaning on a day which clashes with you (or your family members’ zodiac!). Also, hold off on cleaning on January 29th (Day 1) and for the first five days of Chinese New Year. It’s considered unlucky as it might sweep away the good fortune of the new year.

Usher in good fortune for the year ahead by conducting your spring cleaning on the recommended dates for maximum prosperity in 2025. 

Also planning on cleaning your altar? Then keep an eye out for the following dates:

CNY Auspicious dates for alter cleaning 2025

Giving your Chinese altar a good clean-up is more than just tidying – it’s a sacred ritual to refresh and reset the space for your deities and ancestors. Think of it as a spiritual spring-cleaning! You can use pomelo leaves, kaffir lime, sandalwood essence, or even a bit of smudging to cleanse the energy. Don’t forget to spruce up the red backing while you’re at it!

Pro tip: Use this opportunity to double-check offerings or items on the altar. Replace old incense or candles and make sure everything is looking fresh and inviting for the new year.

4 weeks away from CNY:

Start discarding old and unwanted items. The more you toss now, the less you’ll have to clean later on! 

And don’t just toss everything in the bin – donating is a great way to give your pre-loved items a second life. Clothes, toys, books, or even small appliances in working condition could make someone else’s day. Check with local donation centers or charities to see what they accept. Plus, clearing out your space while helping others? Total win-win!

3 weeks away from CNY:

Clean your toilets and kitchen. If you’re having trouble getting a stained toilet bowl clean, here’s a tip: pour some Coke (yes, the very same Coke you’re thinking about) in and let it stew overnight, before scrubbing it. To get the inside of your oven clean, put in some orange rinds, and heat it for a minute before wiping it down.

If you’ve got those stubborn grease patches in your kitchen, spray a generous amount of all-purpose cleaner over them, cover the patch in cling wrap, and then blow-dry it for two minutes, using your hairdryer. Oil oxidises and breaks down at high temperatures, so it’ll easy for you to wipe these grease patches down after a bit of help from your hair dryer.

Bonus hack: Got cloudy glassware? Use a bit of white vinegar to make them sparkle again – no fancy cleaners required.

2 weeks away from CNY:

Clean your bedrooms and living room. Clean under your bed, and vacuum and flip your mattress over so that it wears out evenly. Dust and vacuum, and take down your curtains to wash. Finally, polish your wooden, marble, and lacquered surfaces. Don’t bother running to the store to get furniture polish – a cloth wipe soaked in stale milk will easily restore luster to your wooden, marble, and lacquered surfaces.

Feeling ambitious? Consider steam-cleaning your carpets and sofas to get rid of any hidden grime and give your home that fresh, new feel.

1 week away from CNY:

Change your sheets, and put up the final touches. Hang your Chinese New Year decorations (if any!), and stock up on Chinese New Year goodies to entertain your guests with. If you have a car, be sure to give it a good scrub-down too!

If you found this article helpful, 99.co recommends 9 home-related New Year Resolutions we’re making (and keeping).

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