Chinese New Year (CNY) is one of the most important festive seasons in Singapore — a time for reunion, renewal, and of course, cleaning! Every year, families scramble to tidy and refresh their homes before welcoming the new year. But did you know there are specific do’s and don’ts to follow when doing your CNY cleaning?
Whether you’re engaging a cleaning service or planning a DIY session, here’s your complete 2026 guide to prepare your home — spiritually, symbolically, and practically — for the Lunar New Year.
🗓️ 1) Book Early to Avoid Disappointment
CNY is peak season for cleaning companies in Singapore. Demand typically surges 2 to 6 weeks before the New Year, and slots for reliable cleaning providers like MEIDE.SG, Luce, or Home Cleaning SG get snapped up quickly. In recent days, houseowners have started booking CNY cleaning as early as 3 months ahead of time!
Why you should book early:
- Last-minute bookings for CNY cleaning would almost definitely incur surcharges. Worse, all the cleaning slots might even be fully booked! Cleaning companies in Singapore often face demand that completely swamps available slots.
- Prices rise significantly as CNY approaches — expect surcharges of 30–100% in the final week. Real-life anecdotes from 2024–2025 showed HDB flats surcharges averaging 50%, with landed property deep cleans spiking over 80% in peak periods.
- Confirming early means you can choose preferred dates, request add-ons (e.g., sofa shampooing, curtain washing), and avoid cancellation fees.
Pro Tip: Book by end December 2025 to secure better rates and cleaner availability, especially for pre-CNY deep cleaning sessions.
🚫 2) Taboos During CNY Cleaning
CNY cleaning isn’t just about dust and dirt — it’s steeped in Chinese tradition and symbolism. Here are a few taboos to avoid:
- Don’t clean on the first day of the Lunar New Year (29 January 2026). Sweeping or mopping on this day is believed to “sweep away” wealth and good fortune.
- Don’t throw away trash during the first few days of CNY. Wait until the second or third day to dispose of garbage, or at least keep it inside first.
- Avoid breaking or discarding items on New Year’s Eve or Day. Cracked bowls, mirrors, or glass are thought to bring bad luck.
- Do not scold or argue while cleaning. Words spoken during cleaning are believed to set the tone for the year ahead — keep the energy positive!
- Don’t cancel CNY cleaning bookings. Due to oversubscribed schedules, cancellations almost always incur fees.
Fun Fact: Many families schedule their “big clean” (大扫除 dà sǎo chú) on Chu Xi (除夕) or a few days before, to symbolically remove “bad luck” and prepare for good fortune to enter.
🐉 3) Auspicious and Inauspicious Cleaning Dates (CNY 2026)
In 2026, Chinese New Year’s Day falls on Thursday, 29 January 2026, ushering in the Year of the Horse (马年). Here are some general guidelines for timing your cleaning:
| Auspicious Dates for CNY Cleaning (2026) | Remarks |
| 16–22 January 2026 | Ideal week for major cleaning before festive activities begin. |
| 23–26 January 2026 | Suitable for lighter cleaning and decluttering. Avoid large-scale works. |
| 27–28 January 2026 | Best for last-minute touch-ups only. Avoid moving heavy furniture. |
| Inauspicious Dates for Cleaning (2026) | Remarks |
| 29–31 January 2026 | CNY Day 1–3 — avoid cleaning, sweeping, or throwing things away. |
| 5–6 February 2026 | “Po Wu” days — when wealth energy stabilises; not ideal for major cleaning. |
Tip: Here, you can even check the Tong Shu (Chinese Almanac) if you want to align your cleaning day with your zodiac sign for even more luck!
🐎 4) Tong Shu for 2026
Before we begin, let us do a quick introduction:
🧹 Tips for Aligning Cleaning with Your Zodiac
- Consult the Tong Shu: Refer to the Tong Shu for detailed guidance on auspicious and inauspicious dates specific to your zodiac sign.
- Avoid Clash Days: Ensure that the day you choose for cleaning does not clash with your zodiac sign.
- Consider Auspicious Times: Within favorable days, select auspicious times for cleaning activities.
- Plan Ahead: Schedule cleaning well in advance to align with favorable dates and avoid last-minute rushes.
🐉 Understanding the Clash and Auspicious Days
- Clash Days: These are days when your zodiac sign is in conflict with the day’s heavenly stem and earthly branch, making it inauspicious for significant activities.
- Auspicious Days: These are days deemed favorable for various activities, including cleaning, based on the alignment of the heavenly stems and earthly branches.
📅 Inauspicious and Auspicious Cleaning Dates for 2026
| Zodiac Sign | Dates to Avoid (Clash) | Auspicious Dates to Clean |
| 🐀 Rat | Jan 8, Jan 20 | Jan 1–7, Jan 9–19, Jan 21–23 |
| 🐂 Ox | Jan 9, Jan 21 | Jan 1–8, Jan 10–20, Jan 22–23 |
| 🐅 Tiger | Jan 10, Jan 22 | Jan 1–9, Jan 11–21, Jan 23 |
| 🐇 Rabbit | Jan 11, Jan 23 | Jan 1–10, Jan 12–22 |
| 🐉 Dragon | Jan 12, Jan 24 | Jan 1–11, Jan 13–23 |
| 🐍 Snake | Jan 7, Jan 13 | Jan 1–6, Jan 8–12, Jan 14–23 |
| 🐎 Horse | Jan 14, Jan 26 | Jan 1–13, Jan 15–25 |
| 🐐 Goat | Jan 15, Jan 27 | Jan 1–14, Jan 16–26 |
| 🐒 Monkey | Jan 16, Jan 28 | Jan 1–15, Jan 17–27 |
| 🐓 Rooster | Jan 17, Jan 29 | Jan 1–16, Jan 18–28 |
| 🐕 Dog | Jan 18, Jan 30 | Jan 1–17, Jan 19–29 |
| 🐖 Pig | Jan 19, Jan 31 | Jan 1–18, Jan 20–30 |
In summary, by aligning your cleaning schedule with the auspicious dates and avoiding clashes, you can enhance the positive energy in your home for the upcoming Chinese New Year.
For more detailed information and personalized guidance, we recommend you consider consulting a professional Feng Shui practitioner or referring to further Tong Shu resources.
💰 5) CNY Cleaning Estimates and Surcharges
CNY cleaning is more intensive than your usual weekly clean. It’s akin to spring cleaning: it requires more time, manpower, and attention to detail, with a focus on tidying, organising, and deep-cleaning areas that accumulate dust and clutter over the months. While it can be achieved more efficiently with regular maintenance and multiple sessions, homeowners typically expect a more thorough outcome than standard weekly cleaning.
Prices for CNY cleaning in Singapore vary by property size, cleaning scope, and date booked. Below are real-life insights from 2024–2025 obtained from real-life anecdotes of Singapore cleaning companies:
| Property Type | Normal Pre-CNY Cleaning Rate | Peak Period Surcharge |
| 3–4 Room HDB | $160–$250 | +30%–60% (2025 average: $200 → $320–$400) |
| 5-Room HDB / Condo | $220–$350 | +40%–70% (2024 example: $280 → $392–$476) |
| Landed Property (2–3 Storey) | $350–$700 | +50%–100% (2025 example: $500 → $750–$1,000) |
Why surcharges happen:
- Peak demand exceeds manpower capacity.
- Extra time and manpower needed for deep cleaning, moving furniture, and organizing clutter.
- Longer working hours and overtime pay during the festive period.
- Transportation and logistics costs spike due to high demand.
Pro Tip: Once again, early bookings can save significant costs and allow for smoother scheduling.
🧹 6) Scope of CNY Cleaning
Last but not least, CNY cleaning is not just a quick dust and mop session — it’s about refreshing, tidying, and organizing your entire home.
Hence, the scope and service typically includes:
General Areas
- Floor cleaning and vacuuming
- Dusting furniture, switches, skirting, and ceiling fans
- Cleaning windows, grilles, and ledges
- Wiping mirrors, doors, and glass surfaces
Kitchen
- Degreasing stove, backsplash, and cooker hood
- Cleaning cabinets, sink, and countertop
- Wiping appliances (fridge exterior, oven, microwave)
Bathrooms
- Scrubbing floors and walls
- Cleaning toilet bowls, sinks, and mirrors
- Removing mould and soap scum
Bedrooms & Living Areas
- Changing bed linens
- Wiping wardrobes, shelves, and TV consoles
- Decluttering and organizing festive decorations
Optional Add-Ons
- Curtain or blind washing
- Sofa, carpet, or mattress deep cleaning
- Balcony and window rail detailing
If you would like to know the comprehensive and entire scope of cleaning services, MEIDE lists them out too here.
Pro Tip: Leaving decorations until after cleaning ensures they’re placed in a tidy, organized space ready for the festive season.
🎯 Final Thoughts
CNY cleaning is more than just a chore — it’s a symbolic reset for your household’s fortune, health, and happiness. With the right timing, preparation, and understanding of cultural do’s and don’ts, you’ll welcome the Year of the Horse (2026) with a fresh and sparkling home.
And remember, if you’d rather skip the hassle, you can always book trusted CNY cleaning services early from experienced Singapore providers. Special thanks to MEIDE.SG for sharing professional insights drawn from years of experience helping Singapore households sparkle for the Lunar New Year!
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