Many cultures have traditions and superstitions about not doing any work on New Year's Day at all, including cleaning, as it could bring 'bad luck' during the rest of the year
A home reset seems on New Year's Day can be the perfect way to embrace the beginning of a brand new year, but some believe it could mean bad luck for the months ahead.
Is it really bad luck to get your mop bucket out and do all your laundry from the chaos of Christmas sorted on the first day of the year? Well, according to superstition it is - meaning chores should be avoided on the first day of the New Year.
Whether you believe this is true or not, you now have a ready-made excuse to recover from your New Year's Eve fun and laze about on the sofa without lifting a finger.
But why exactly is it bad luck to do chores on this day we hear you ask? Well, that depends on your belief in folklore around cleaning in the Chinese tradition.
Why is it bad luck to clean on New Year's Day?
Many cultures have traditions and superstitions about not doing any work on New Year's Day at all. Doing laundry on the first day of the year can be said to 'wash away a loved one', meaning that a friend or family member will pass away within the same year. That is something to make you rethink doing laundry. Now, if that's not a reason to steer clear of the cloths, we don't know what is!
Also washing clothes or dishes on New Year’s Day is said to simply 'wash away good luck' and sweeping the floors could also sweep away good fortune that would enter your house in the coming year. Removing anything from your home on this day is considered to remove any prosperity that could come into your home in the coming year.
Similarly, some traditions say the first day of the year is a reflection of the rest of the year. So doing all your chores on the first day of the year could mean you are wishing your entire year to be filled with boring chores and work for the remainder of the 364 days.
What brings good luck on New Year’s Day?
New Year's traditions that are said to bring good fortune, and possibly even wealth into your life include:
Eating 12 grapes at midnight
Wearing white
Taking a stroll with an empty suitcase (to bring good fortune to travel).
But don't let us stop you from cracking out the vacuum or putting on a few loads of washing, you should start the New Year however your heart desires it.
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