Spring Cleaning: Where Should You Begin?

After the Christmas season has died down, the upcoming Chinese New Year (CNY) festivities are not far away! While young children clap their hands in glee thinking of all the angpaos they can get, home makers are stumped at the enormous task ahead: spring cleaning! Spring cleaning is important for Chinese families because they believe that they must ‘get rid’ of last year’s bad luck before the New Year arrives. Everyone in the household will be involved in some way or another, and it’s often a rambunctious affair on its own. As much as many dread cleaning every nook and cranny of their home, many are more confused at where to begin. Here, we’ll help you organise your tasks so that your house can become as good as new before the Dragon Year arrives! Clean It Up! Get your wet cloths, mops and rakes ready. It’s time to give those muscles a proper workout! We’ll target the following areas: cupboards, light fixtures, doors, windows, floors, fans, ceilings and toilets. Get rid of the dust and cobwebs lingering in the corners. Use dedicated cleaning liquids (such as to give your wood and metal a shining gleam) if necessary, to clean the outer surfaces of furniture parts. The Chinese New Year is also a great time to go shopping for new furniture, and many stores should have sales in anticipation of the CNY crowd. Something new in your house will be a natural conversation starter. Get a New Coat .. Of paint for your house! Give your discoloured walls a fresh colour to brighten your living space. Buy odour-less paint so that the pungent smell of paint doesn’t linger, and it gives you less of a headache when you try to sleep at night. If you dare, change the colour scheme of your house completely! Tip: Apply wall decals/stickers (after the paint dries) can instantly give your house a new look, and there are many designs you can choose from. Alternatively, you can buy paintings to add an artistic flair to your house. Get to the Details! Open up your kitchen cupboards and refrigerator, wash your cutlery, crockery, pots and pans in preparation of the cooking and eating that will take place soon! Also, throw away anything that you do not need anymore – don’t be afraid to chuck your old magazines, expired food, that spoilt TV set still lying around – it makes your house neater and more spacious. Better yet, teach your children the meaning of giving to the poor, by donating your clothes in good condition to charity! You can also invite a Fengshui master to your house to advise you on how to improve your home’s luck and wellbeing, before ushering the New Year. You’re Almost Done! Change the curtains and bed linen. Go shopping along Chinatown to soak up the atmosphere and to buy your CNY decorations and goodies. Hand the auspicious red couplets at both sides of your front door, goodies on the coffee table and you’re all set to usher in the Chinese New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Article courtesy of 88DB.com Preparing for CNY? Bookmark these chinese restaurants to go to! Check out more dining options available to celebrate CNY