Decluttering Before Chinese New Year: What to Clean, Toss, and Keep

Chinese New Year is traditionally a time for renewal, making it the perfect moment to reassess your home and clear away what no longer serves you. Decluttering before the celebrations begin helps refresh your space and creates a sense of order as you move into the new year.

Knowing what to clean, what to let go of and what to keep makes the process far more manageable and prevents unnecessary decision fatigue.

What to Clean

Cleaning is an essential part of Chinese New Year preparation, especially in spaces that are used daily. Focus on areas where dust and clutter tend to gather, such as shelves, corners, skirting boards and surfaces.

Pay particular attention to the kitchen and dining areas, as these spaces are often central during celebrations. A thorough clean after decluttering helps your home feel lighter and more refreshed.

What to Toss

Decluttering before Chinese New Year is an opportunity to let go of items that have outlived their usefulness. Broken objects, expired products, old paperwork and items you’ve been meaning to deal with “one day” can all go.

Unworn clothing, mismatched containers and unused household items take up valuable space and contribute to visual clutter. Letting these go creates room for clarity and ease.

What to Keep

Keep items that are functional, frequently used or genuinely valued. Focus on belongings that support your current lifestyle rather than those tied to outdated habits or routines.

When deciding what stays, consider whether an item has a clear purpose and a logical place in your home. Keeping with intention helps maintain organisation long after Chinese New Year has passed.

Focus on Key Areas

Start with high-impact spaces such as the entrance, living areas and kitchen. These areas influence how your home feels overall and are often the first places clutter builds up.

Once these spaces are decluttered, move on to storage areas like cupboards, drawers and wardrobes.

Avoid Overloading Storage

Decluttering isn’t about hiding items away. Avoid refilling cupboards and drawers to capacity, as this makes spaces harder to maintain. Leave some breathing room so storage feels functional rather than cramped.

Finish With Organisation

Once cleaning and decluttering are complete, organise what remains. Group similar items together and store them where they are easiest to access.

Simple organisation makes daily life smoother and helps prevent clutter from returning.

Decluttering before Chinese New Year doesn’t need to be rushed or overwhelming. By clearly separating what to clean, toss and keep, you create a home that feels refreshed, organised and ready for the year ahead.