Should you clean before or after saging?

woman cleansing space with sage stick and feather

It’s generally recommended to clean your space before saging. Here’s why: 

Physical Cleansing Precedes Energetic Cleansing

Cleaning your home physically—such as dusting, vacuuming, and tidying up—helps to remove dirt, clutter, and any physical debris that might hold onto or reflect negative energy. By clearing the physical space first, you create a clean and open environment that is more receptive to the energy-cleansing effects of the sage. 

Enhancing the Effectiveness

Saging a clean space allows the smoke to move freely and effectively throughout the area, reaching every corner and crevice. In a cluttered or dirty environment, the smoke may not be able to penetrate certain areas as thoroughly, making the cleansing less effective. 

Symbolic Fresh Start

Cleaning before saging can also be symbolic of starting fresh. As you clear away physical mess, you are also symbolically clearing away old energy, making room for the new, positive energy that saging will invite in. It’s a way of resetting both the physical and energetic aspects of your space. 

Avoiding the Need to Sage Again

If you clean after saging, you may stir up dust and energy that can reintroduce negativity into the space. By cleaning first, you ensure that the cleansing energy from the sage is the final step, leaving the space in a purified state. 

It’s best to clean your space thoroughly before you begin the saging ritual. This approach prepares the environment, making the smudging process more effective and ensuring that the positive energy you invite in remains undisturbed. 

Author: Coralee Roberts

Coralee is a passionate health and wellness advocate with a deep understanding of holistic living. Driven by a desire to empower herself and others to achieve optimal health and well-being, she has been practicing smudging and energy cleansing for several years. In 2024, Coralee decided to formalize her knowledge and completed a certificate in smudging, deepening her understanding of this transformative practice. Through her writing and teachings, Coralee aims to inspire and support others on their own paths towards wellness and resilience.