Is it really bad luck to do washing on New Years Day?

[AprMayJune]

I want to clean my house tomorrow afternoon, but does anyone buy into the whole bad luck thing? I’m not going to have much other time to do it all week so that will feel like bad luck if I don’t get it done!

There's a few people I'd happily wash away. Bring on the laundry.

Well it’s bad luck for me if I don’t because then I’ll have 6 loads to do on Tuesday instead of 3 and I won’t be able to get it dry although I’m superstitious and need all the luck I can get so now I’m in turmoil - wish I hadn’t read this thread.

I'm superstitious, no walking under ladders etc, so did my washing earlier today..

I've always wondered why it just applies to clothes and not hair or plates etc?

Not walking under ladders is common sense!

I didn’t know about this superstition until about 5 years ago when my Grandmother told me. I’m superstitious so stopped washing clothes New Years Day and I’ve had so much bad luck since then. So I can confidently say it’s all nonsense.

Never heard this one !

Heard the joke about people having their one bath a year on NYD - seems to be the opposite - and whilst we all clean and bathe more now - isn't NYD a time for everything being clean and new ?

You'll wash away your luck - that's what I was told (northern/irish thing?)

Think you're missing the point there..

You sound like me I’m in SE England. I’ve given the house a big clean, clean bedding on, bins and all rubbish outside and in place. So it’s all clean and tidy and then I’m opening the doors in 20mins too.

Old rubbish and luck out, lovely clean air and good luck in 😊

@Tbry24 Happy New Year 🥳

I’m Scottish and you bottom your house on Hogmanay so you don’t take last year’s muck into the new year. On NYD you do no housework or washing (shouldn’t need to after Hogmay clean and up here there are a lot of hungover folk). Washing clothes washes away a life and cleaning cleans away your luck. Might be superstitious nonsense but I’m not taking any chances so will park my bum and get back to housework on 2nd.

@Mrsjayy oh that's terrible of me. At 54 you'd think I know better.

Ill just keep the lid shut!!

Totally this

7:50 am New Years Day. Washing machine on. Happy New Year washing machine 😀.

It’s only bad luck if you have such an awful hangover that you can’t cope with the noise from the final spin.

Am sure we will do laundry and hoover today New Year's Day or not.

I've always liked to start the new year "clean" so hoovered carpets no washing no washing up etc I rarely manage to get down the ironing basket though so that doesn't count 😂

Didn't realise it was a superstition for years I just like to relax new years day

Further thought as my washing machine trundles on. Maybe this originated from households with maids. Perhaps the maids had a day off on New Year, hence no washing?

This made think to google it and the answer is:

I've heard this before. It's a load of utter bollocks and I will shortly be putting a load of washing on here.

Well if it is bad luck I'm in for a bad year, my toddler vomited last night so I put first load on early this morning

Been away for two days so I’ve got to do some today. Can’t believe so many believe in superstition. I don’t walk under ladders because it’s dangerous but everything else is bonkers. How about a new year resolution to live in the real world?

My mum (born 1946) was brought up to pay all outstanding bills, clean the house and empty the washing basket by New Years Eve.

Her mum said to not do so would bring bad luck, carrying the old year’s business into the new.

Mum said it just felt good to start the year fresh, with all the money up to date and everything clean and tidy.

The luck thing is nonsense, but I can see the appeal of a nice clean house to start the year.
(not enough to have actually do it)

@Robinkitty please don’t worry. Superstition, apart from for pragmatic reasons, is really nonsense. The idea that you can control your year’s destiny by not turning on the washing machine is simply not logical. Any ‘bad luck’ you get would be coincidence.

I agree with not walking under ladders because it’s dangerous.

But l would not buy a house that was number 13. Not because l believe it is unlucky, because l think that’s rubbish. But l do think it would be more difficult to sell on. Partly because some people think it’s unlucky and partly because others think like me.

PS: Washing machine has finished now, lovely clean coloureds, and just about to put a load of bedding on. We’ll show ‘em!

Washing machine on, dishwasher on and about to get in shower and wash my hair. DH out on his bike and will come back and hose it off then jump in shower and throw his Lycra in the machine. I think his bike ride is the most risky activity in all that don’t you?