Clean Monday: The Ancient Orthodox Organization Ritual

The start of Lent brings fasting, prayers, and almsgiving for Christians around the world, but in many Orthodox cultures, it also signals a deeper kind of cleansing, one that extends beyond the individual to the home.

Known as Clean Monday (which will take place on February 23rd this year), this ancient tradition marks the beginning of the Lenten season with intentional rituals of decluttering, cleaning, and organizing living spaces. As Christians prepare spiritually through reflection and fasting, they also prepare their homes, creating a calm, orderly environment that mirrors the clarity and focus sought during the holy period.

Homes & Gardens sat down with Marisol Rivera, a cleaning expert and professional organizer at Sparkly Maid Austin, to discuss how this century-old practice has a place in the modern day.

Marisol believes that the spiritual housecleaning done during the first week of Lent (and on Clean Monday), along with the practical task of physically washing dishes, cookware, and wider living spaces, can help you begin any season with a clean slate.

‘It’s also a wonderful opportunity to borrow from that rhythm and create a sense of intentionality by using this one Monday as a reset to give yourself permission to visually declutter, scrub the areas of your home that you use the most. Release anything and anyone that does not support who you are going to become in the next season,’ she says.

In terms of wellness and home organization, she points out that having a specific day, like Clean Monday, gives people permission to stop, reflect, and reorganize their environments to align with their values.

‘The focused cleaning of kitchens, entryways, and bedrooms will improve the indoor air quality, reduce the visual noise, and create a sense of organization that research has shown is connected to improved concentration and reduced stress. This is likely why many cultures have traditions of spring cleaning tied to new beginnings,’ she says.

She recommends to her clients to include a simple reflection with the physical act of cleaning, such as "What do I want to make room for this spring?" while they are decluttering to create a connection between the home and the person that lives there, and view the home ‘as a supportive environment rather than a chore.’

To make the process easier, I've listed my go-to cleaning supplies below. They're perfect for Clean Monday, and long after.

Super concentrated

Puracy 99.9% Natural All Purpose Cleaner

A concentrated blend that, when mixed with water, transforms into 128 oz of versatile, all-purpose cleaner, making home refreshes effortless and satisfying.

Pack of three

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day All-Purpose Cleaner Spray

Designed to clean and invigorate, this cruelty-free spray tackles dirt and odors while leaving every surface renewed.

Super absorbent

HOMEXCEL Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

Durable and thoughtfully designed, these versatile microfiber cloths are perfect for color-coded cleaning, with reinforced edges built to last through every tidy-up.

Perfect for pantry's

Martha Stewart Rattan Flatware Caddy

With its timeless wicker design, this piece captures effortless East Hampton style while staying true to its purpose: keeping your space beautifully organized.

Stackable trio

Rebrilliant Canas Plastic Storage Bin

With front openings and foldable sides, these rolling bins store away easily but are sturdy enough for long-term use, making them ideal for tackling cluttered corners once and for all.

Sturdy Design

Threshold Cream Rope Basket

I’m drawn to baskets that add visual intrigue, and this one delivers with its striking angular edges. Beneath its design, a sturdy metal frame ensures it’s as durable as it is stylish.

Whether you observe Clean Monday as part of Orthodox tradition or simply as a chance to reset your home, the practice offers more than a sparkling kitchen or organized closet. It is an invitation to pause, reflect, and create space, both physically and mentally, for the season ahead.

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Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.