Spring cleaning one’s home before Chinese New Year is a long-standing tradition that supposedly sweeps out any bad luck and ushers in a good new year. Whether this has any truth to it or is just a superstition, we can’t deny the benefits of spring cleaning once in a while.
With CNY fast approaching, there’s loads to do and not to mention, tonnes to clean as well. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just ain’t got time to spare, check out these Chinese New Year spring cleaning tips to get your home guest-worthy with little effort.
Contents
- 1. Use a robot vacuum for faster CNY spring cleaning
- 2. Clear out grout using toilet bowl cleaners and a toothbrush
- 3. Restore leather sofas with coconut oil
- 4. Use lemon water to make your windows sparkling clean
- 5. Remove rust from metal furniture with Coca-Cola and aluminium foil
- 6. Use a pillowcase to get the dust off your ceiling fan
- 7. Use vodka to clean carpet stains
- 8. Use white vinegar to clean smooth surfaces
- 9. Declutter with your town council’s bulky item collection services
- CNY spring cleaning tips
1. Use a robot vacuum for faster CNY spring cleaning
Image credit: @amareyhome
Robot vacuums are all the rage these days with their smart functions and easy-to-operate settings. Their compact size also means they can clean the nooks and crannies most of us often struggle to reach. At the same time, having a robot vacuum can make your home seem a little more high-tech, and it’s sure to impress guests.
By getting one of these smart helpers to sweep, mop and vacuum your home, you can save the hassle of manual cleaning and focus on other CNY preparations instead. They are available for just $80 on platforms like Amazon, so it’s worth giving them a try without breaking the bank.
2. Clear out grout using toilet bowl cleaners and a toothbrush
Image credit: BuildDirect
Scrubbing grime off tile grout is one of the more time-consuming parts of spring cleaning, particularly if you’re not using the right tools or cleaners. One simple DIY grout cleaning hack on TikTok only requires toilet bowl cleaner and any old toothbrush you have on hand, making grout-cleaning much easier.
Start by pouring the cleaner all over the dirtied sections of the grout and let it sit for at least five minutes. Then, use the toothbrush to gently scrub out the grime before wiping the floor with a rag, and tada—squeaky clean grout. Looks like TikTok videos aren’t just time-fillers, but useful resources that can make CNY spring cleaning quicker and less stressful.
3. Restore leather sofas with coconut oil
Image credit: Mom 4 Real
If your leather couch or faux leather couch is looking a little worn out ahead of Chinese New Year and you can’t afford to get a new one, perhaps you can try using coconut oil to give it a new lease on life.
Simply dip a clean cloth in the coconut oil and use it to wipe off any dirt or stains on your leather sofa. Afterwards, wait a few minutes before cleaning any excess coconut oil off with a fresh cloth, and you’ll have restored the shine of your leather couch.
Not only is this method wallet-friendly, but it’s also convenient if you already have some coconut oil in your kitchen.
Not to worry if your sofa is made of fabric, you can swap out the coconut oil for a DIY upholstery cleaner instead. You’ll just need to mix ¼ cup of vinegar, ¾ cup of warm water and 1 tablespoon of dish soap in a spray bottle, and you’re good to go.
4. Use lemon water to make your windows sparkling clean
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
It’s easy to ignore the accumulation of dirt and dust in some areas but for dirty windows, it’s nearly impossible to hide the fact that it’s not been cleaned from guests or worse – your parents. They won’t be able to look out the window without coming across streaks of murky grime and stains on an otherwise clear glass.
If you’re pressed for time and money, the natural solution to this problem comes in the form of a homemade lemon-water cleaning solution. Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and water in a spray bottle and spray the liquid directly on windows. Wipe it dry using a cloth or old newspaper if you wanna be a little more eco-friendly.
The lemon’s acidic base gets rid of window grime and can also be used on other smooth surfaces made of glass, plastic, or ceramic. This makes it a cheap and effective way to spruce up your home before CNY.
5. Remove rust from metal furniture with Coca-Cola and aluminium foil
Image credit: Pinterest
Coca-Cola is so much more than a soft drink that you serve to guests during CNY. It’s a great DIY cleaning solution as well because it is able to break down rust on metal furniture—think stuff like wardrobe rods, bed frames and chair legs.
Rather than buying brand-new replacement furniture, all you have to do is dip some aluminium foil in Coca-Cola and start scrubbing away at the rusty bits. The rust should come off easily, saving you the extra costs that would’ve come with new furniture purchases. Plus, it’s more environmentally friendly too.
6. Use a pillowcase to get the dust off your ceiling fan
Image credit: Pinterest
Letting dust bunnies accumulate on your ceiling fan spells bad news for those with allergies. If you don’t clean your ceiling fans before switching ‘em on during your CNY gathering, built-up dust on the fan can trigger allergy-prone guests, which is the last thing you want during Chinese New Year.
A nifty trick to clear the dust off is to use an old pillowcase. Encase a fan blade the same way you would a pillow, kiap it with your hands at the end and pull it backwards. This will trap the dust and ensure it falls into the pillowcase. Repeat this method with the other blades before you use a rag to get rid of the remaining dust.
To up your cleaning game further, make some DIY dust-repellent spray by mixing liquid fabric softener with water in a 1:4 ratio. Spritz this on the fan blades to prevent future dust build-up. This way, you’ll reduce the amount of spring cleaning you’ll have to do in the future.
7. Use vodka to clean carpet stains
This next Chinese New Year spring cleaning tip involves some vodka and no, it’s not to drink your problems away. Rather, we’re going to use this spirit to remove carpet stains.
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
Carpet cleaning can get pretty ‘spenny, with professional carpet cleaning costing up to as much as over $1,000. So, if you’ve got some vodka lying around at home, it’s time to put it to use as a cheaper DIY carpet cleaning solution.
Pour some vodka onto a rag and dab it over the stained area, leaving the wet cloth on top of the stain for a couple of minutes to loosen it. Afterwards, let the area air dry. Rinse the rag and repeat if the stain doesn’t go away. Once done, the carpet should look as good as new, and your wallet will thank you for it.
8. Use white vinegar to clean smooth surfaces
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
Vinegar is a popular natural cleaning solution, and its claim to fame lies in its antibacterial and deodorising properties. It is no surprise that it makes an affordable all-purpose cleaner, working wonders on smooth surfaces from windows to countertops and grimy household appliances.
To make a simple vinegar cleaning solution, mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Then, simply spray it onto the dirty surface and wipe it away with a towel.
In the bathroom, this vinegar and water mixture is remarkably effective at shining up showerheads, mirrors or faucets caked with grime. You can even use it to clean the insides of washing machines for a fresh finish.
P.S. Not only is this solution harmless, but it also doesn’t leave any residue on surfaces that can contaminate your hands either
9. Declutter with your town council’s bulky item collection services
Image credit: Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council
CNY spring cleaning is the perfect excuse to declutter your home before the festive rush. Most town councils in Singapore offer free bulky item collection services, usually up to 3 bulky items per month.
During the spring cleaning period, some town councils might even set up temporary collection points at void decks, so you can ditch your items without additional hassle. Just remember to check your town council’s schedule and guidelines to make sure your old stuff gets cleared out smoothly before guests arrive.
CNY spring cleaning tips
Spring cleaning your home may seem like a straightforward task, but there’s no denying the amount of time and labour that goes into it. Save some time by preparing your cleaning kits in advance and try out these tips this CNY. Not only will they make your home guest-worthy, but they’ll prevent your house from being with grime, buildup, and dust piles too.
For more CNY reads:
- Useful home appliances for CNY reunion dinners
- New IKEA collections for CNY 2026
- House cleaning services in Singapore—starting from just $17
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal
This article was originally published on 6th February 2024, and updated on 13th February 2026.
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