As Scots prepare to bring in the bells tonight, they might want to get their cleaning and washing up to date before the clock strikes midnight.
That’s because tradition states that tomorrow (New Year’s Day) there should be no cleaning done unless you want to bring bad luck to your home.
For many Scots, Hogmanay is when they take on ‘redding the house’. This is the act of cleaning your home ahead of the new year, since it was thought to be bad luck to start a year with a dirty house. And it’s a practice that still holds today.
This thorough house cleaning, from top to bottom, included the removal of ashes from the fireplace and had to be complete before midnight. And people would also clear all of their debts on December 31, so that they didn’t have any outstanding loans going into January 1.
And get your laundry up to date today too as it’s said to be luck to clean or do the washing on New Year’s Day – in case you sweep or wash away the good luck.
The underlying message of it all is to clear out the remains of the old year, have a clean break and welcome in a young, New Year on a happy note.
On social media, Scots seem to still hold on to the tradition and shared some memories of their parents ‘redding’ the house on Hogmanay.
One said: “My mum always cleaned for Hogmanay. Dad did the coal.” Another said: “My vacuum cleaner is on standby ready for 11:45pm. I’m Australian but my Scottish husband passed away & is shouting instructions from the sidelines!”
Another poster agreed with the cleaning and said it went to the wire. She said: “So did my mum, she flicked around with a duster before midnight and no rubbish in the house, no dirty laundry…”
All that means you have just hours to get the house in order. But the good news is tomorrow, you can enjoy the first day of the new year with your feet up.
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