New Year's Day washing superstition - can I fold clean laundry?

[StupidBacteria]

Does the washing prohibition extend to all laundry related activities or just actual washing of clothes? Can I fold and put away clean laundry?

But what was the reason given? That’s what I was saying:
Dec 28th is don’t wash else you’ll wash a soul away;
NYD is don’t wash (or clean) else you’ll spend the year doing drudgery rather than having a nice time/winning the Lottery/whatever.

I would if I didn’t feel so crap (horrible virus 😞) It’s a nice idea for a thread though 😊 The reason superstitions are so fascinating is partly geographical and historical, but also they’re a link to traditions, cultures and family.

I did a dark wash today and it was only as I was hanging it up I saw that DH had left his golf score card in his trousers which disintegrated and left hundreds of little dots of mushy paper all over the clothes. I had to put the wash on again.

Does this mean two people will die?

Don’t wash your clothes on New Year’s Day or you’ll wash a member of the family away. Passed down from grandparents who were born in 1910 / 1912 in London if that makes any difference.

The whole myth is just that, a myth.

I've often done washing on New Year's Day. I did a load today and hung it out on the airer. I also folded some from yesterday that was already dry and transferred the small amount that retained a bit of damp to the dryer to finish it off.

Death in the family. Washing away or otherwise wasn’t specified.

edit actually I’ve remembered, do your washing on NYD and you’ll be washing a corpse before the year is out. So grim! I can’t believe I forgot that detail. Obviously nobody washes corpses themselves these days, this must date back to when families did.

I had never heard of this before until on here a few years ago. Last year I thought it would be fine. My uncle then my cat then my fish all died. No way am I risking it today.

omg, i just forgot and put on a wash. agggh.

Oops. Did loads of washing today (potty training toddler who doesn’t get it). Sorry family 😬

People still can and do wash bodies these days if they want to. When my father died 3 years ago my mum wanted to wash and dress him before he was taken to the funeral home, the district nurses offered to help her do it. Not a religious family whatsoever, my mum just wanted to do it for him.
I don't adhere to any superstitions apart from not doing washing on New year's day for this very reason, even though I know logically it won't make a difference.

@Behindthethymes Do I get to select which one?

Lol 😂