It is believed to bring bad luck to wash laundry on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Avoid Washing Laundry on Tuesdays and Saturdays

Details

In many Indian households and some parts of Southeast Asia, it is a common belief that washing clothes on Tuesdays and Saturdays invites bad luck. Practitioners observe this restriction as part of domestic routine. On Tuesdays, which are ruled by the planet Mars (associated with aggression and conflict in astrology), washing clothes is thought to wash away good fortune or invite arguments. Similarly, Saturday, ruled by Saturn, is considered inauspicious for laborious home tasks. It is believed that violating this superstition may lead to illness in the family, loss of wealth, or familial discord. In observant homes, households plan their laundry schedule accordingly, doing laundry on alternate days. Religious observances on Saturdays may also play a role in preserving the sanctity of the day by limiting domestic chores.

Historical Context

This superstition is believed to stem from astrological traditions found in Hindu culture, where each day of the week is governed by a planetary deity and associated energies. Mars (Tuesday) and Saturn (Saturday) hold particularly intense energies—Mars is linked to violence and conflict, and Saturn to discipline and suffering. To avoid invoking these energies, certain actions—like laundry, considered a purification task—are avoided. The practice is part of broader traditions in which daily activities are scheduled based on the favorable or unfavorable planetary influences of the day. These beliefs remained prevalent especially in agrarian and devout communities, where aligning with cosmic rhythms was considered essential for personal and household harmony.

Modern Relevance

This superstition still persists in rural parts of India and among traditional families in urban areas. Some households, guided by elders or astrological advice, avoid laundry on these days both out of belief and cultural habit. Among younger generations, the superstition is less rigidly followed but may be observed out of familial respect. On social media and discussion forums, this practice is sometimes debated as either spiritual discipline or outdated myth. Influences from modern time management and scientific skepticism have led many to abandon the belief, but in some holistic or astrology-informed communities, the custom persists as a symbolic gesture of cosmic alignment.

Sources

Kolte, C. (2010). Indian Superstitions & Beliefs. Bharat Book Company.

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