What is the old wives tale about washing clothes?

Why You Shouldn’t Do Laundry on New Year’s Eve

As the clock ticks toward midnight on December 31st, many of us are busy toasting champagne and making resolutions—but according to an old wives' tale, one thing you definitely shouldn’t do is start a load of laundry. There’s a long-standing belief, especially in parts of Europe and Latin America, that washing clothes on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day can wash away good fortune, prosperity, or even the presence of a loved one in the year to come.

This superstition, while less commonly followed today, was once taken seriously in households across the world. The idea stems from symbolic thinking: just as water rinses dirt from fabric, it might also rinse away luck, health, or even a family member’s life if the omen is interpreted grimly. Some versions of the tale suggest that doing laundry on January 1st could mean someone close to you will “be washed away” before the year ends—making it not only bad luck but an ill omen.

Interestingly, the belief often extends beyond laundry. In some cultures, sweeping the floor or washing dishes on New Year’s Day is also discouraged for similar reasons—anything involving water and cleaning risks diluting the year’s potential blessings before they’ve even settled in.

While few people today strictly avoid laundry for fear of bad luck, the tradition lingers in family stories and regional customs. It’s a reminder of how deeply symbolic actions once shaped daily life. Whether you choose to skip the spin cycle on New Year’s Eve or not, there’s something poetic about starting the year with care—preserving not just clothes, but the hope of what’s to come.