Who This Method Is For
If you have just signed a lease on a new rental, bought a second-hand home, or are moving into a place that has been empty for a while, this method suits you well. When a home has changed occupants, or has gone a long time without anyone living in it, the space tends to build up a stuffy, stagnant feeling. Doing a home cleansing before you move in helps you clear away "someone else's traces" and the "stale air of an empty home," so your new life starts from a clean slate.
Why It Works
A space remembers the life that has happened inside it. The previous occupant's routines, moods, and smells linger to some degree in the walls, corners, and curtains. What we call "old energy (舊氣)" is really these leftover traces combined with the stuffiness that comes from air not circulating.
Home cleansing is not some mysterious ritual. It does two things at once: first, it physically clears away dust, mustiness, and grime; second, through moving air, light, and sound, it breaks up that stagnant feeling. Many people report that the space feels noticeably different when they walk in afterward, and they find it easier to settle down.
What You Will Need
- Broom, cloths, cleaning solution (ordinary cleaning supplies are fine)
- A small bowl of coarse salt (edible coarse salt or natural sea salt both work)
- One lemon or a few pieces of citrus peel, or a natural essential oil you like
- A clean bucket and warm water
- Something that makes sound (clapping works too, or play some upbeat music on your phone)
- Optional: one white candle, or a small bundle of mugwort (艾草) or incense sticks
Step-by-Step
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Pick a good time. Choose a clear, sunny day, and avoid days when you are in a bad mood or feeling unwell. Before you begin, silence your phone so you can focus a little.
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Open the windows and doors first to let the air flow through. Open every window and interior door in the home, including cabinets and drawers. Let the breeze pass through the whole space for at least fifteen minutes to replace the trapped, stuffy air. This step is the foundation of the whole cleansing, so do not skip it.
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Clean from the inside out, and from top to bottom. Start from the innermost room and work toward the front door. Wipe the high surfaces first, then the low ones, and finish by sweeping and mopping the floor. Keep sweeping consistently "toward the outside," which symbolizes carrying the old out the door and also makes sure you do not miss any corners.
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Wipe key areas with salt water. Stir a small handful of coarse salt into warm water, wring out a cloth, and wipe down the front door handle, window frames, kitchen, and bathroom, the places where smells tend to build up. Salt has long been used for cleaning and purifying, and surfaces really do feel fresher after wiping.
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Deal with the smells. Slice a lemon or place citrus peel on a plate in the living room, or add a few drops of essential oil to your mopping water. If you are using mugwort (艾草) or incense, light it in the innermost room and walk slowly toward the front door in a loop, letting the smoke pass through every corner before sending it out the door. Keep the space ventilated throughout.
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Use sound to break up the stagnant feeling. In each room, especially the four corners, clap your hands a few times or play some upbeat music. Sound helps a space that has been quiet and stuffy for a long time "wake up," and this is something older generations often did.
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Wrap up and set the tone. Once the cleaning is done, you can light a white candle in the living room, sit quietly for a few minutes, and say in your heart to the space, "Please take good care of me from now on," while picturing clearly the life you want to live here. Let the candle burn down a bit on its own before extinguishing it.
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Ventilate one more time before closing the windows. After everything is done, let the air flow for another while to carry off the last of the lingering smells before you close the windows. At this point, the home usually feels noticeably lighter and cleaner.
Cautions and Common Mistakes
- Do not do this when you are in a bad mood or feeling ill. A cleansing carries your state with it, so if you are not feeling well, rest first and do it another day.
- Ventilation is the key, do not cut corners. Many people rush to light incense without opening the windows, which only traps the smell inside and makes things worse.
- Be very careful with fire. When lighting a candle, incense, or mugwort (艾草), do not leave the room, keep it away from curtains and flammable items, and always make sure it is completely out before you leave.
- Change out the dirty water after wiping with salt water, do not reuse the same bucket to wipe the whole home.
- This is a help, not a guarantee. Home cleansing can put you at ease and freshen up a space, but do not treat it as a cure-all that solves everything. Everyday tidiness and how you live are what really matter.
A Final Word
The real value of home cleansing is that you have treated the place you are about to live in with care. Clean it thoroughly, settle your heart, and then live the days ahead well. A home responds to how you look after it.