You might want to put the broom down and have a cup of tea! (Picture: Getty Images)
Mopping grubby floors, sorting the laundry, and finally getting your house may seem like a positive way to start 2024, but is it bad luck to clean on New Year’s Day?
That’s right, don’t grab your bucket and bleach yet, because superstition says you should avoid doing chores on January 1.
So, if your New Year’s Eve celebrations mean that a hangover has stapled you to the sofa, you might have just found the perfect excuse. Result!
So, why is cleaning on New Year’s Day said to bring bad luck?
Here’s what you need to know.
Why is it bad luck to clean on New Year’s Day?
Much of the folklore surrounding cleaning at New Year seems to date back to Chinese traditions, but many of the superstitions are observed around the world.
Many cultures have superstitions, myths, and old wives’ tales that say you shouldn’t do any cleaning at all on January 1.
If you’re superstitious, hang fire on the cleaning (Picture: Getty)
For instance, doing laundry on the first day of the year is said to ‘wash away a loved one’, meaning that a friend or family member will pass away in the following 364 days – Now, if that’s not a reason to steer clear of JCloths, we don’t know what is!
Washing clothes or dishes on New Year’s Day will simply ‘wash away good luck’ and sweeping the floors could also sweep away good fortune.
If only our laundry basket looked like this (Picture: Getty Images)
Even emptying your bins and taking out the rubbish is also a big no-no on New Year’s Day, as superstition says that removing things from the house could encourage prosperity to disappear.
Some traditions from various parts of the world also say that what you do on the first day of the year will reflect how the rest of it pans out.
So piling into the housework on January 1 suggests you’re in for another 364 days of hard, boring graft – and nobody wants that.
Of course, these are all just myths. But we’ll probably leave the bins, just in case.
What brings good luck on New Year’s Day?
There’s lots you can do to attract good luck. (Picture: Getty Images)
Well, for one thing, taking a break from the boring stuff isn’t all bad.
Enjoy your chore-free day, and take some time for yourself – banish any feelings of guilt.
Several New Year traditions are said to invite good luck, good fortune, and possibly even wealth into your life. These include:
Eating 12 grapes at midnight
Wearing white
Taking a stroll with an empty suitcase (to bring good fortune to travel).
Or, if you’re sure it’s all baloney, then get vacuuming and put those bins out!
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If you’re superstitious, avoid cleaning today!