In Chinese culture, the word for "dust" (尘, chén) is homophonous with the word for "old" or "past" (陈, chén). To sweep away the dust is therefore to sweep away the troubles, misfortunes, and accumulated negativity of the previous year — clearing the way for fresh starts and incoming blessings.

The tradition is rooted in the belief that good and bad luck can become embedded in a household over time. A thorough cleaning physically dislodges this stagnant energy and makes space for the Kitchen God's positive annual report and the arrival of new prosperity.

The spring clean is comprehensive by design. Every room is addressed — floors swept and mopped, furniture dusted and wiped, windows and mirrors cleaned, closets reorganized, and clutter discarded. Old items that are broken, unused, or worn out are thrown away, symbolizing a release of things that no longer serve the household.

Special attention is given to corners and hidden spaces where dust (and bad luck) accumulates unseen. Bedding is washed, curtains cleaned, and even the tops of doorframes are swept. Some families repaint walls, make small repairs, or rearrange furniture as part of this broader renewal.

Perhaps the most widely observed taboo of the season is this: once the New Year has arrived, do not sweep, mop, or take out the trash. The belief is that any sweeping done on New Year's Day will inadvertently sweep away the good luck and fortune that has just arrived with the new year.

If cleaning is absolutely necessary, dirt must be swept inward (toward the center of the room) rather than outward toward the door, and carried out in a container rather than swept over the threshold. This same principle applies to water — emptying buckets or washing activities on New Year's Day risk "washing away" the fortune.