Cleaning on Tisha B’Av
Question
Is it permitted on Tisha B’Av after midday for a non-Jewish housekeeper to clean the house and change the bedding to clean linens in honor of Shabbat, if they will already be slept on after Tisha B’Av ends? This refers to Tisha B’Av falling on Thursday, as it does this year.
Answer
Shalom u’vrachah.
Before midday, it is forbidden even to tidy the house; after midday, it is permitted to tidy the house. However, one may not do cleaning on Tisha B’Av.
[There are communities where the custom is to clean the house after midday on Tisha B’Av, in order to demonstrate faith in the Redemption. But communities that do not have this custom may not do so].
Laundered bed linens have the same status as laundered clothing, which is forbidden until the 10th of Av. Laundering for the needs of Shabbat is permitted after Tisha B’Av ends.
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