Life of Guangzhou - Dirt Cleaning Day

The 28th day of the twelfth month of the Chinese lunar calendar is known as the "Dirt Cleaning Day." As the Cantonese saying goes "Wash away the dirt on the 28th day of the twelfth month (年廿八, 洗邋遢)." This tradition is still strictly observed in southern Guangdong. On this day, people give their homes a thorough cleaning, sweeping away the dirt and bad luck of the previous year.

Things in the house are cleaned thoroughly and adorned by boiled water of pomelo leaves, especially in some households with religion or home altars and statues. The boiled water of pomelo leaves are also used to clean body for a auspicious intention of good health and development.

Pasteboard decoration

Duilian

After the cleaning is completed, a few interesting traditions still prevail. Most people take down the "Duilian(对联)" and "Huichun(挥春)" (red pieces of paper with delicate calligraphies expressing best wishes for the New Year) of the previous year and hang new ones around the doors and windows. Other people boil pomelo leaves and put them on the family altars as there are thought to clean the body before entering the new year clear and healthy.