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Common Mistakes People Make When Moving House for the Lunar New Year and How to Avoid Them

Preparing your home for the Lunar New Year can be a daunting task for anyone. It's essential to plan and organize your cleaning routine to ensure a smooth and efficient process, yielding the desired results.

Administrator

27 August, 2024

The Lunar New Year is a busy time for everyone, especially for women who have to juggle work, shopping, and house chores. To help ease the burden, here are some common mistakes to avoid when cleaning your house for the holidays, so you can spend more time with your loved ones and less time stressing.

1. Cramming all the cleaning into the last weekend

Don’t overwhelm yourself by leaving all the cleaning to the last minute. Instead, break down the tasks into smaller, manageable chunks and spread them out over the week. For example, dedicate one day to cleaning the ancestral altar, another to wiping down furniture, and a third to mopping the floors.

2. Failing to plan your cleaning

Don’t just dive into cleaning without a plan. Create a detailed schedule with specific tasks and deadlines. For example, decide that on Sunday you will start with cleaning the bookshelves, and stick to it. This will help you stay organized and ensure a smooth and efficient cleaning process.

3. Not using protective gear

When cleaning for the New Year, you’ll likely be using various cleaning products and chemicals. It’s important to protect yourself by wearing protective gear, such as gloves and a mask. This will help prevent any negative health effects from the chemicals and dust.

By taking these precautions, you can ensure that you stay healthy and don’t bring any illnesses into the New Year.

4. Using the same cloth for everything

Using a single cloth to clean everything is not only inefficient but also unsanitary. Instead, use multiple cloths, ideally 3-4, and assign a different cloth for each area of the house. This will help prevent the spread of dirt and bacteria from one surface to another.

Additionally, using a single cloth for sacred areas like the ancestral altar is considered disrespectful to your ancestors and deities, according to spiritual experts.

5. Spraying furniture directly with water

Spraying water directly onto furniture is a common mistake that can lead to damage. It can cause the paint to peel and give your furniture an old and unkempt look. Instead, opt for specialized cleaning products and a damp cloth to effectively clean and maintain the quality of your furniture.

By using the right products, you can ensure that your furniture looks its best and that your home is filled with good fortune and prosperity for the New Year.

How to Fix These Mistakes:

1. Make a Plan

Create a timeline for your cleaning tasks and stick to it. If you’re short on time, consider hiring a part-time helper to lend a hand during the busy holiday season.

Start your cleaning from the top and work your way down. Clean the ceiling fans and upper shelves first, as dust and dirt will fall to the floor, which you can then mop or sweep afterward. Focus on the messiest areas first and work your way to the corners. If you have a busy schedule, try to set aside time each month to deep clean your home, so it’s easier to manage during the holidays.

2. Prioritize Rooms

Decide which rooms to clean first to streamline the process and ensure that everyone in the family can pitch in effectively. You can start by cleaning and wiping down surfaces, then finish with a final sweep and vacuum to ensure a thorough job.

Here’s a suggested plan to help you stay organized and efficient:

3. Assign Tasks to Family Members

Involve your family in the cleaning process and assign tasks according to their abilities and ages. This will ensure that everyone contributes and that the workload is manageable for all.

By working together, you can make the cleaning process more enjoyable and efficient, and ensure that your home is sparkling clean and ready for the Lunar New Year celebrations.

According to Pháp Luật và Bạn Đọc

Frequently asked questions

There are several mistakes that people often make when moving during this busy time. These include not planning and organizing their move properly, which can lead to chaos and stress. People also tend to underestimate the amount of time and effort required to pack and unpack, and may not seek help or start the process early enough. Another mistake is not properly labeling and organizing boxes, which can make unpacking and finding items a nightmare.

To avoid these pitfalls, create a detailed plan and timeline for your move, and start early. Break down the tasks into smaller, manageable steps and assign due dates. Delegate tasks to family members or friends, and consider hiring professionals to help with the move. Pack room by room, clearly labeling each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This will make unpacking much easier. Also, don’t forget to set up a ‘first aid’ box with essential items you’ll need immediate access to, like tools, toilet paper, snacks, and a first aid kit.

Yes, when packing fragile items like glassware and ceramics, use plenty of padding and wrap each item individually. Mark the boxes as fragile and handle them with care. Transport these boxes yourself if possible, and load them last so they’re the first to be unloaded, reducing the chance of them being crushed or damaged.

Besides labeling boxes by room, number them and keep an inventory list. This way, you can quickly identify if any boxes are missing. Unpack one room at a time, starting with the essentials first. For example, in the kitchen, unpack the cutlery, plates, and cups first, so you can have a functional space to make a cup of tea while you continue unpacking the rest.

Take the opportunity to declutter before you move. Donate, sell, or recycle items you no longer need. This will reduce the amount of stuff you need to pack and transport, making the entire process easier and less costly.