In the two weeks before Deepavali, clean from the top down and from the back of the home to the front. Start with the jobs that take longest and make the most mess: kitchen grease, bathroom grime, fans, windows and window tracks. Then move to bedrooms and living areas, and finish with the entryway and a final mop the day before guests arrive. Deepavali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, with Monday 9 November as the public holiday in lieu, so you have from the week of 26 October to get the home ready.

Many Hindu households clean the home before Deepavali, and many families host friends and neighbours over the long weekend. With about three weeks to go, there is time to do it properly without rushing.

The two-week countdown

Week of 26 October: the heavy jobs

This is the week for anything that kicks up dust or needs time to dry.

  • Clear clutter first: old newspapers, expired food, clothes you no longer wear, anything broken.
  • Dust ceiling fans, light fittings, the tops of cupboards and air-con covers. Do this before you clean the floors, not after.
  • Degrease the kitchen: hood, stove, backsplash and the outside of cabinets.
  • Scrub bathroom tiles, grout and the shower area.
  • Wash curtains and cushion covers early, so they have a few days to dry in our humidity.
  • Clean windows, grilles and window tracks.

Week of 2 November: the finishing work

This week is about keeping things clean and getting the home ready for visitors.

  • Wipe down living room surfaces, shelves and the TV console.
  • Change bedsheets and tidy wardrobes, especially if guests may stay over.
  • Clean the fridge and clear space for festive food you will be preparing or receiving.
  • Do the entryway: shoe rack, main door and gate.
  • On Saturday 7 November, do a final vacuum and mop, wipe the bathroom quickly, and take out the rubbish.

Room-by-room checklist

Kitchen

  • Soak the stove grates and hood filters in hot water with dish soap or a degreaser.
  • Wipe the backsplash, cabinet doors and handles, which get sticky from cooking.
  • Empty the fridge, throw out expired items, wipe the shelves and drawers.
  • Clean the microwave and the outside of the oven, rice cooker and kettle.
  • Scrub the sink and clear the drain trap.
  • Mop the floor last, including along the bottom edges of cabinets.

Bathrooms

  • Scrub tiles and grout, paying attention to the corners where mould sets in.
  • Descale the shower head, taps and glass screen.
  • Clean the toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it.
  • Wipe the mirror, sink and cabinet.
  • Clear the floor trap and wash the bath mats.

Living areas

  • Dust from high to low: fans, lights, shelves, then tables.
  • Vacuum the sofa, under the cushions and underneath it if you can reach.
  • Wipe switches, remote controls and door handles.
  • Clean the TV screen and console with a dry microfibre cloth.
  • Vacuum and mop the floor, moving light furniture where possible.

Bedrooms

  • Change and wash bedsheets, pillowcases and bolster covers.
  • Dust bedside tables, headboards and the top of the wardrobe.
  • Vacuum under the bed, where dust collects quickly.
  • Sort the wardrobe and take out what you will not wear again.
  • Prepare the guest room or spare bed if anyone is staying.

Windows and tracks

  • Vacuum the dust out of sliding window and door tracks before wiping, so you do not just push mud around.
  • Use an old toothbrush for the corners of the tracks.
  • Wipe the grilles and the inside glass. For high windows, only clean what you can reach safely from inside. Do not lean out.
  • Wipe the window ledges and the air-con unit cover.

Entryway

  • Clear out the shoe rack and wipe the shelves.
  • Wipe the main door, the gate and the door handle.
  • Sweep and mop the area just inside and outside the door.
  • Make space for guests' shoes. You will need more room than you think.

What to leave to a cleaner

Most people can manage the daily tidying. The jobs that usually get pushed to the last minute are the kitchen grease, bathroom grout, window tracks, and the floors in every room. If you are short on time, those are the ones worth handing over.

For a lived-in flat that needs a proper reset before the festive weekend, our 3-hour trial session is $55 nett ($20 off our $25/hr one-time rate), for HDB flats and condos. The 4-hour trial at $70 nett ($30 off) is ideal for 3- and 4-room HDBs, with more time for the kitchen, bathrooms and floors. Trial offers cannot be combined with packages.

If the home is already in decent shape and you only need a quick tidy before guests come, our evening express service is $38 for 2 hours, starting from 6pm.

If you are moving house around Deepavali, have a look at the move-in guide on our blog as well.

To book, WhatsApp us at +65 8950 0767, 8am to 10pm daily. The weeks before Deepavali get busy, so let us know your preferred date early.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I start cleaning for Deepavali?

About two weeks before is a comfortable start. For 2026, that means beginning the week of 26 October with the heavy jobs, then using the week of 2 November for finishing touches. Leaving everything to the last weekend usually means rushing.

What should I clean first?

Start with decluttering, then dust high areas like fans and the tops of cupboards. After that, do the kitchen and bathrooms, as these take the longest. Floors always come last, so dust from above does not land on a clean floor.

Is 3 hours enough to clean my HDB flat?

It depends on the size of the flat and how much needs doing. Three hours works well for a smaller flat or a focused clean of a few areas. For 3- and 4-room HDBs, the 4-hour trial is the better fit.

Can I book a cleaner close to Deepavali itself?

You can, but the days just before a public holiday tend to be busy. WhatsApp us at +65 8950 0767 early with your preferred date. We are on WhatsApp from 8am to 10pm daily.