Big Cleaning Day

What Is Big Cleaning Day?

December 13th is "Big Cleaning Day" in Japan. It was established by Towa Sogo Service Co., Ltd., which runs the house-cleaning brand "Osouji Taishi." The date reflects the long-standing tradition that December 13th is the day to begin preparing for the New Year -- the day of shogatsu-kotohajime and susuharai (soot sweeping) -- and carries the wish that people clear away a year's worth of grime before the new year arrives.

Why December 13th Marks the Start of Cleaning

In the Edo period, Edo Castle held its soot sweeping on December 13th. The custom spread to ordinary households, and from this date the preparations for the New Year begin in earnest, including matsumukae -- going into the hills to gather pine for the New Year's gate decorations.

• Established by: Towa Sogo Service Co., Ltd., a house-cleaning company
• Origin of the date: December 13th has long been the day of shogatsu-kotohajime and susuharai
• What susuharai is: a year-end custom of sweeping soot from hearths and stoves -- the ancestor of today's deep clean
• Calendar background: under the old calendar, the 13th day of the 12th month always fell on the "oni" lunar mansion, considered auspicious for everything but weddings
• Purpose: to clear away the year's dirt and greet the new year with a fresh mind

Break It Up and the Year-End Gets Easier

Trying to do all the cleaning in late December means cold weather and a packed schedule at the same time. Starting on the 13th and splitting the job by place -- the range hood today, the windows this weekend -- makes the final week far lighter.

Tips for Marking This Day

• List the places you want to clean and spread them across the weeks to year-end
• Tackle just one thing you normally skip, like the range hood or a light fixture
• Get rid of what you no longer use, so cleaning itself becomes easier
• Use the day as a cue to tidy your desk and the shared shelves at work

Wrapping Up the Year Starts Close to Home

There are only a little over two weeks from shogatsu-kotohajime to New Year's Eve. December 13th is a good day to start the run-up. Why not begin with the one spot that has been bothering you?