While hanging laundry may seem like a simple task, doing it incorrectly can affect the quality of your clothes and have negative consequences for your health and home’s feng shui. In Eastern philosophy, daily actions can influence the flow of energy (“qi” or “chi”) in living spaces. Therefore, improper laundry hanging can lead to diminished wealth, depleted positive energy, and mental unrest.
Below are three common but risky ways of hanging laundry that you should avoid as soon as possible:
1. Hanging laundry to block balconies, windows, or entrances
Feng Shui implications: Balconies, windows, and main entrances are where “qi” enters and nourishes the entire house. Blocking these areas with laundry can obstruct the flow of positive energy, causing stagnation and resulting in setbacks in work, finances, and relationships. In particular, blocking the main entrance with laundry is considered a major taboo in feng shui as it prevents wealth and opportunities from entering the home.
Health implications: Aside from affecting your mood and creating a sense of stuffiness by blocking natural light, hanging laundry in these areas can also lead to clothes absorbing dust, vehicle exhaust (if near a road), impacting fabric quality and the health of those wearing them.
Solution: Designate a separate laundry-hanging area at the back or on the rooftop, avoiding main pathways or areas with natural light. If no other option is available, hang laundry horizontally and close to the wall, avoiding obstruction of the energy flow.
2. Hanging laundry outdoors overnight
Feng Shui implications: Nighttime is when negative energy, or “yin qi,” is most active. Hanging laundry overnight, especially between 11 PM and 5 AM, can cause clothes to absorb this negative energy and wandering spirits. Folk beliefs suggest that clothes carry human energy, and absorbing too much negative energy can induce restlessness, affect mental well-being, invite nightmares, deplete positive energy, and bring bad luck.
Health implications: Nighttime dew increases moisture in the air, creating an ideal environment for bacterial growth. Fine dust and toxic gases can also settle on clothes during the stillness of the night. Wearing clothes hung outdoors overnight can make you susceptible to colds, allergies, and respiratory problems like sore throat and bronchitis.
Solution: Hang laundry during the day, preferably between 9 AM and 3 PM, when sunlight is strongest. If hanging outdoors, bring the laundry in before dusk to avoid absorbing nighttime dew and negative energy.
3. Hanging laundry in humid places like bathrooms or enclosed spaces
Feng Shui implications: According to feng shui principles, bathrooms accumulate impure energy and dampness, easily generating negative energy. Hanging laundry in such areas, especially with closed windows and poor ventilation, not only prolongs drying time but also allows negative energy to permeate the clothes. Wearing these clothes can lead to fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and bad luck.
Health implications: Damp and poorly ventilated spaces provide an ideal environment for bacteria and mold to thrive. When clothes don’t dry completely or dry in low-light conditions, bacteria can attach to the fabric fibers, causing skin irritation, itching, or even allergic dermatitis. Children, the elderly, and those with sensitive skin are particularly vulnerable.
Solution: If indoor drying is necessary, choose a well-ventilated area with open windows and additional dehumidifying fans or exhaust systems. Never hang laundry in bathrooms or near water sources.
Paying attention to proper laundry hanging practices not only helps preserve your clothes but also plays a vital role in maintaining your health and fostering positive energy in your living space. In feng shui, even the smallest actions can impact your family’s fortune. So, don’t underestimate the act of hanging laundry—make the necessary adjustments if you’ve been making any of the three mistakes mentioned above.
Remember: Living a healthy life starts with small habits, and harmony with nature is the key to a prosperous existence.
Reference for contemplation
