Before the Dhanteras 2026 festival, it is recommended to clean five key areas of the house to attract wealth

As the festival of Diwali approaches, preparations for cleaning and decorating begin in homes. During this cleaning, people dust every corner of their living space and often discard old items, considering them unnecessary. However, among these items are some that seem useless but can actually be used to give the home a beautiful appearance.

During the Diwali cleaning, many old and broken items are discovered that are usually sent directly to the trash bin. Nevertheless, there are things that can be reused to decorate your home, creating various decorative elements from them. This will not only save money on home decoration but also ensure the reuse of old items. Below are five such items that can be used to decorate the home instead of throwing them away during Diwali cleaning.

Old Glass Bottles

Empty glass bottles from juices, syrups, or other drinks often remain in the house. Instead of throwing them away during cleaning, they can be used for decorative purposes. First, the bottles should be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Then, you can apply colored paint, attach mirrors, or create beautiful patterns on them. It is advisable to place small LED garlands inside so that they illuminate a corner of the house at night, creating a very beautiful glow.

Old Oil Lamps and Clay Pottery

If you have old clay oil lamps or small pottery pieces from last year, do not throw them away as useless. They need to be washed and thoroughly dried, and then painted with acrylic paint. Patterns can be made on the lamps using gold, red, and yellow colors. Additionally, they can be decorated with small flowers or decorative beads and placed on a central table, which will give the home a traditional and elegant look.

Old Shawls and Sarees

While cleaning closets, old shawls and sarees that are no longer used as clothing are often found. Instead of throwing them away, they can be used to decorate the home. From old fabric, colorful curtains, cushion covers, table runners, and decorative door ribbons can be made. If the fabric already has embroidery or a beautiful trim, it will make the decor even more attractive.

Old Boxes and Cans

If you have old metal cans from cookies, tea, or sweets, they can also be used for decoration. A new look can be given to them by covering them with colored paper, fabric, jute twine, or painting. Small plants, artificial flowers, or garlands can be placed in these cans. Decorating the balcony, window, or entrance of the house with them will make the space more picturesque.

Old Newspapers and Magazines

A large amount of old newspapers and magazines is generated during cleaning. Instead of recycling them, decorative items can be created from them. Newspapers can be rolled up to make small baskets, flowers, wall panels, and decorative bowls. They can be painted in the desired color and placed in a corner of the house, which is an excellent way to give the home a new and attractive look with minimal cost.

Important Points to Consider

When using old items for Diwali decoration, be sure to clean them thoroughly. Sharp edges of glass bottles and metal cans must be protected. Caution should also be exercised when using electrical lighting in the decor.

In India, people begin a thorough cleaning of their homes before the Diwali festival. While cabinets, fans, windows, and floors are usually cleaned, dust accumulated under sofas, beds, and heavy furniture often remains. Moving such furniture can be laborious, and there is a risk of damaging the flooring. Because of this, many postpone cleaning these areas, leaving them dirty.

However, there are ways to clean the space under and behind furniture without moving a sofa, bed, or large wardrobe. This does not require expensive cleaning agents or special machines; ordinary household items can be used to reach these difficult spots. Below are simple methods for cleaning dust and dirt accumulated under and behind furniture before Diwali.

How to Assess the Space Under Furniture

Before starting the cleaning, you should use your mobile phone's flashlight to carefully inspect the space under the sofa, bed, and wardrobe. This will help you understand the volume of accumulated dust and the available area for cleaning. You need to check the free space between the furniture and the floor, ensuring there are no wires, wooden planks, or furniture legs. If the space is limited, you can use a narrow brush or a cloth attached to a long handle. First, you must remove all toys, paper, and other items lying on the floor.

It is important to remember: if the sofa is electric or equipped with a motor, be sure to unplug it before starting work. Avoid putting hands or sticks into the moving parts of the device.

Creating a Long Brush from Old Socks or Cloth

If you do not have a professional long broom bought from a store, you can create one from an old sock or cotton fabric. Take any long, thin stick or pole you have at home and firmly attach a piece of cotton fabric or an old sock to one end. Ensure the fabric is securely fastened so it does not fall off during cleaning. Then, slowly rotate this pole under the sofa and bed, cleaning in small sections instead of scrubbing the same spot repeatedly. When dust starts to accumulate on the fabric, it should be shaken out or washed. This way, hidden dust under the furniture can be removed with minimal effort.

Dusting Behind Sofas and Wardrobes

Dust, cobwebs, and small debris often accumulate between the wall and the sofa or wardrobe, making them hard to reach by hand. For this purpose, a long brush or a thin stick can be used. First, gently remove cobwebs from the corners of the wall and behind the furniture. After that, sweep from top to bottom with the long brush. It is also recommended to wipe the baseboard along the wall with a dry cloth to remove stuck dust. Finally, the collected dust and debris should be swept up and disposed of.

Note: If there are electrical panels or wires behind the furniture, do not use a wet cloth or metal rods near them. When cleaning, avoid pulling or displacing electrical cables.

Cleaning with a Broom If No Vacuum Cleaner is Available

Even though not every home has a vacuum cleaner, this does not mean it is impossible to clean under furniture. In such cases, you can use a narrow broom. Slowly guide the broom under the sofa or bed and direct the dust in one direction. It is important not to spin the broom too fast, otherwise, the dust may scatter throughout the room. The collected dust should be removed immediately. If the broom is too thick and cannot fit under the furniture, you can tie a piece of thin cotton material to its front part to facilitate the process.

Final Wipe with a Damp Cloth

Even after removing dry dust, some dirt may remain on the floor. To eliminate it, use a slightly damp cotton cloth. Before use, the cloth must be moistened with water and thoroughly wrung out so that it does not drip. Then, using a long pole, gain access under the furniture and gently wipe the surface according to the type of floor. If you have wood or laminate flooring, try not to use too much water. After cleaning, allow the area to dry completely.

It should be noted that the same cleaning agent is not suitable for all types of floors. Especially before applying vinegar, strong chemicals, or steam on wooden floors, you must read the care instructions for them.

Precautions When Cleaning for Diwali

Do not attempt to move heavy wardrobes or furniture attached to the wall yourself, and never remove their safety fastenings. During cleaning, do not use excessive amounts of water. If you notice signs of dampness or leaks under the furniture, do not ignore them. If you find mold, do not blow it away with a broom, but address the cause of the increased humidity.

As Diwali approaches, many people are preparing to tidy up their homes, and cleaning the screens on doors and windows is an important part of this process. Often, people clean floors, fans, and the windows themselves, but they avoid cleaning metal screens from accumulated dust and dirt because it takes a lot of time. Sometimes people try to wash the screens with hose water, but this only temporarily improves the appearance, as a thick layer of grime forms on them again, spoiling the look of a clean home.

Especially near the kitchen, sticky grease and smoke accumulate on the screens. Cleaning such screens usually takes many hours and effort. However, if you think that expensive cleaning agents are needed for this task, you are mistaken. With ordinary hot water, detergent, and liquid soap available at home, you can easily clean a dirty screen without extra effort.

To clean a metal screen on a door or window, you will need some common items that are easy to find at home.

Due to the accumulation of dust, dirt, and grease, cleaning a metal screen becomes a difficult task. In this case, a solution of hot water and detergent will help loosen the grime. First, you need to fill a basin with enough hot water that can be used safely, provided the water is not too hot.

Next, add a little washing powder and liquid dish soap to the water and mix thoroughly. Then, wet a sponge or soft cloth in this solution and gently apply it to the screen, trying to clean every part of it.

After applying the solution, leave it for about 10–15 minutes so that the settled dust and grease become soft. After that, carefully scrub the screen with a sponge or a soft brush. This will allow the dirt to come off easily, and you won't have to exert excessive effort.

After finishing the cleaning, wipe the screen with a clean, slightly damp cloth to remove any soap and detergent residue. Then, dry the screen completely with a dry cloth. It is important to avoid prolonged contact of water with the metal screen, as this increases the risk of rust.

When cleaning a metal screen, avoid scrubbing hard. If the screen is painted, test the solution on a small area first to minimize the risk of paint damage. Furthermore, if there is already rust or peeling paint on the screen, simple soap and water may not be enough to completely eliminate the problem.

It should also be remembered that you should not use excessively hot water for cleaning, and when working with the screen, you must protect adjacent wooden doors or electrical switches from getting wet.

By applying this simple method, you can clean regular dirt from door and window screens before Diwali. This will make the house cleaner and save you unnecessary hassle in preparing for the holiday.