India, Jan. 1 -- As the calendar flips to January 1, many people start the year with resolutions, brunch plans, and a surprising number of household rules. Across cultures, New Year's Day is surrounded by superstitions, especially when it comes to cleaning, laundry and even showering.

While none of these beliefs are rooted in science, they continue to shape how many households mark the first day of the year.

One of the most widespread New Year's superstitions cautions against cleaning or doing laundry on January 1. According to folklore, activities such as sweeping floors, washing clothes or taking out the trash can symbolically "wash away" good luck meant for the year ahead, Seacoastline reported.

Some interpretations take the belief ...