Are you someone who takes superstitions seriously? From avoiding black cats to skipping under ladders, many of us follow these quirky beliefs to keep our luck intact.
But here’s one superstition you may not have heard of—doing laundry on certain days is considered bad luck!
Yes, even this mundane chore can have superstitious implications.
So, when exactly is it bad luck to wash clothes?
Let’s get into some age-old traditions and superstitions about laundry days and why some believe certain days are unlucky for washing clothes.
Whether or not you follow them is up to you!
The Days You Should Avoid Doing Laundry
1. New Year’s Day
One of the most well-known laundry superstitions suggests you should never do laundry on New Year’s Day. Why? The belief is that washing clothes on the first day of the year could “wash away” your good fortune—or worse, a loved one. This superstition often extends beyond clothing; doing any type of washing or cleaning on New Year’s Day is thought to bring bad luck.
Additionally, avoid removing anything from your home on New Year’s Day. It’s said that decluttering on this day might accidentally clear out your prosperity for the year ahead. If you want a lucky start to the new year, skip the housework and spend the day relaxing.
2. Good Friday
Good Friday, a sacred day in Christianity, marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. On this day, some Catholics believe that performing household chores, including laundry, is bad luck. The idea is that washing clothes—or doing any other form of housework—on this solemn day could bring misfortune to your family.
Beyond laundry, this superstition extends to activities like gardening or heavy cleaning. While not everyone observes this belief, many avoid chores out of respect for the day’s significance.
3. Chinese New Year
In Chinese tradition, the first two days of the Lunar New Year are dedicated to celebrating the Water God. Washing clothes—or any activity that involves pouring out water—is seen as disrespectful to this deity. It’s believed that doing so could bring bad luck and financial misfortune for the year ahead.
Since water is closely tied to wealth in Chinese culture, pouring away water during these celebrations symbolizes wasting money. If you want to start the Lunar New Year with prosperity, save your laundry for later.
4. At Night
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In parts of India and some other cultures, the act of washing clothes or engaging in cleaning at night is thought to bring bad luck. This belief likely originated in earlier times when lighting was limited to candles or oil lamps, making it impractical and even unsafe to work after dark.
Practical reasons aside, the superstition implies that nighttime chores disturb the natural flow of luck and prosperity.
Additionally, in many rural areas, nights are associated with spirits or supernatural forces, and cleaning during these hours is believed to attract negative energies. While modern lifestyles have lessened adherence to this belief, many households still avoid night-time laundry to honor their traditions and maintain a sense of continuity with their cultural roots.
5. Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is a cornerstone of Christian tradition, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a holy day of worship, it is seen as a time for prayer, family gatherings, and rest, rather than laborious chores like washing clothes. This belief is tied to the broader idea of respecting holy days by refraining from physical work.
Even though there is no explicit doctrine in Christianity forbidding laundry on Easter, many people embrace this day as one of spiritual rejuvenation. Historically, Sundays were designated as a “day of rest” in Western cultures, and Easter Sunday amplifies this sentiment.
6. Thursdays
Superstition behind washing Hair and Clothes on Thursday | Dr. Jai Madaan#mythbusted #superstition #DrJaiMadaan #Ladyoffortune #familyguruhttps://t.co/6cKasOjthM
— Jai Madaan (@jaimadan) July 17, 2020
In various cultures, Thursdays hold symbolic or spiritual significance, making it a less-than-ideal day for labor-intensive tasks. Some folklore suggests that doing laundry on a Thursday could upset the balance of the week, disrupting the flow of energy or even attracting bad luck.
In Bosnia and other regions, a particularly vivid superstition warns that washing clothes on a Thursday might open a “portal to hell,” linking the act to supernatural calamities.
While these tales may sound dramatic or exaggerated, they reflect the cultural importance once placed on timing and routine in daily life. In older times, when laundry was a strenuous, time-consuming chore, Thursday might have been deemed an inconvenient day because it was too close to Friday, which was often reserved for food preparation and other critical tasks for the weekend.
7. Sundays
Sunday is widely recognized as a day of rest in Christian traditions and is often referred to as the Sabbath. Rooted in biblical teachings, the idea is that Sunday should be dedicated to worship, relaxation, and spending time with loved ones, rather than engaging in household chores.
Washing clothes, in particular, is seen as an unnecessary task that disrupts the sacred rhythm of the day.
In some cultures, Sunday is also a time for spiritual reflection and rejuvenation. Engaging in laborious activities like laundry is believed to detract from the tranquility and focus needed for this day.
Why Do These Superstitions Persist?
Most of these beliefs stem from cultural or religious practices and have been passed down through generations. While there’s no concrete evidence that doing laundry on certain days brings bad luck, many people find comfort in following these traditions.
Whether it’s about respecting holy days or ensuring a prosperous year ahead, these superstitions offer an interesting glimpse into the ways different cultures view everyday activities like laundry.
Bottom Line
Washing clothes might seem like a simple task, but according to these superstitions, timing can be everything. From New Year’s Day to Easter Sunday, there are a surprising number of days when doing laundry is believed to bring bad luck.
If you happen to get diesel smell or rust stains on your clothes, however, don’t worry—there are simple methods to remove them and keep your wardrobe looking fresh.
While these beliefs are rooted in tradition rather than fact, there’s no harm in taking a day off from chores to keep your luck intact.
The next time you grab your laundry basket, consider the day and decide if you’re willing to take your chances—or enjoy a superstition-approved excuse to skip laundry!