As you may already know, there are many ways to cleanse your home, each with its own unique benefits.
However, in my experience, using sage has always been the most effective and powerful method for creating a truly refreshed, high-vibrational space. There’s something about the ritual of sage cleansing that not only purifies your environment but also brings a deep sense of calm and clarity.
Because it works amazing for me, I’ll walk you through the exact steps I follow to cleanse my space using sage. I’ll even include some videos along the way, so you can see everything in action and get a better feel for how it’s done.
And don’t worry if you’re unsure about when to perform a cleansing—I’ll explain that too, so you’ll know the perfect moments to cleanse and refresh your home.
Let’s dive in and get your home filled with light and positive energy!
7. Steps on How to House Cleansing with Sage
Before you begin, let’s make sure you have everything you need to create the perfect atmosphere for your ritual.
All you need to have is a white candle (unscented is best), matches (I prefer them over a lighter because there’s something sacred in the flicker of a matchstick as it ignites), your sage, an abalone shell (to safely catch any ashes).
An incense stick, and finally—good music!
When you’ve got all these elements in place, you’re ready to start.
#1. Prepare for Your Home Cleansing Ritual
Make sure that all the doors of your home are wide open, and place your candle, matches, and sage in the center of your living room, ready to use.
Then, turn on the music, and make sure you have no distractions or disruptions for the next 30 minutes to an hour.
Before you begin, take a few deep, grounding breaths. Inhale fully, allowing the air to fill you with clarity, and exhale slowly, letting go of anything that doesn’t serve your highest good.
Focus on your intention: what are you cleansing for?

TIP: It’s truly important to have everything set before you begin so you can flow through the ritual without interruption.
#2. Set Your Intention
As you prepared your setup, you also came up with the intention of house cleaning with sage.
This intention is the heart of your ritual—it’s the energy you want to bring into your home.
Maybe you’re looking to clear out stagnant, negative energy, or perhaps you’re hoping to invite peace, clarity, and warmth into your space. Whatever your intention is, take a moment to really focus on it.
Let that intention guide you through the entire ritual, reminding you of the energy shift you’re working to create. Keep that focus strong throughout your cleansing!
#3. Light Up the White Candle
You might be wondering—where would I burn sage? Easy, with your ritual partner: the candle.
And now that you’ve set your intention deeply, go ahead, grab your matches, and light it up. And while you do so, keep your intent in mind!
This white candle represents the fire element, one of the core forces of nature that powers the cleansing process. Fire symbolizes transformation, burning away the old, the stagnant, and making space for fresh, new energy to flow in.
#4. Burn the Sage
I carefully light the tip of the sage using the flame from my candle and let it burn for about 10 seconds, just enough to catch a steady flame.
Some people prefer to let it burn for 30 seconds or more, but personally, I don’t like to play with fire for too long. It’s all about finding what feels right for you.
You might be wondering, Why would I want to burn sage at all?
For me, burning sage is like hitting the reset button for my space and energy. Once sage is dried and bundled, it becomes this powerful tool—a smudging wand that helps you sweep away stagnant or negative energy.
The moment you light it, you’re releasing its cleansing smoke into the air, and that smoke? It’s like a natural purifier.
However, if you’re not a fan of sage’s smell, you can burn rosemary, bay leaves, lavender, or sage instead. All of them work perfectly, but don’t use Palo Santo!!!!
WHY NOT THE PALO SANTO??
Please, please, please… do not use Palo Santo!!!
Palo Santo trees are currently endangered, years of over-harvesting have led to a serious decline in their population.
As someone who deeply respects nature, it’s heart-wrenching to know that a sacred tree, once revered for its spiritual and healing properties, is now at risk because of our overuse.
When we engage in rituals that honor the earth and its gifts, we must also honor the balance that nature so generously offers us. We have the power to cleanse our space and elevate our energy without contributing to the harm of our planet (as mentioned above).
#5. Start Your House Cleansing with Sage
Once your sage has caught fire, gently blow out the flame so that the embers continue smoking, releasing a purifying smoke.
P.S. Use the Cabelone shell for the scattering of ashes.
Start cleaning in the first room, and walk your way around, paying attention to each corner. Make sure to move in a counterclockwise direction—this is key for sweeping away any lingering negative energy.
Every corner, behind every door, around every piece of furniture—leave no space untouched.
Imagine the smoke flowing through your home like a gentle wave, cleansing and uplifting everything in its path. As you walk around your home with your sage stick, focus on your intention.
If at any point you notice the smoke turning black, take a moment. That’s your signal that negative energy is concentrated in that spot. Pause, breathe, and circle that area in a clockwise motion until you feel the heaviness lift. The smoke will lighten, and you’ll know when the energy has shifted.
As you cleanse your home, it’s essential to do the same to yourself once you’ve done purifying each space. Starting from your toes and moving up to your head always counterclockwise.
If you’d like to see how I do my smudging ritual at home, check out this video for a visual guide!
#6. Recharge Your Home’s Energy with Sage
Now that you’ve cleared out the negative energy from your house, it’s time to infuse your home with positive, vibrant energy.
Start again by walking through each room, but this time, move in a clockwise direction.
As you let the sage smoke flow, repeat your intentions out loud or in your heart, reinforcing the energy you want to invite into your space. Maybe it’s peace, protection, love, or creativity.
Pay extra attention to those “black spots” or areas that felt heavier before. Stand there for a few extra moments, letting the smoke linger and work its magic, always moving the sage clockwise.
At the end of it, don’t forget about yourself. Start from your feet and gently move the sage upward, again in a clockwise direction, until you reach your head. Envision all the positive energy you’ve welcomed into your home flowing into you.
#7. Close Your House Cleansing with Sage Ritual
After you’ve carefully smudged each room, filling your space with love and positivity. Feel the energy shift—it’s lighter, more open. This is where I like to pause and express gratitude.
I thank the sage for its powerful cleansing properties, honoring the tradition that’s been passed down for centuries. Gently, I blow out the candle, symbolizing the closing of the ritual, and let the sage rest in its abalone shell, allowing it to extinguish naturally.
After that, I turn off the music that accompanies me during the ritual and light a calming incense stick. As the soft, fragrant smoke rises, I open the windows, inviting fresh air to sweep through the space.
It feels as if I’m welcoming in new, vibrant energy, like a gentle breath after a deep exhale.
When to House Cleansing with Sage?
I recommend doing a sage cleansing ritual once a month, but ultimately, it’s up to you. If your space feels heavy or stagnant, it might be time for an energy reset.
You can also choose to cleanse your home after any significant life events like moving, before and after having guests over who bring in different energies, before and after a healing session aka meditation, any illness, or conflict, or starting a new chapter in your life such as a new job or start your own business.
Just remember that if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed or anxious about something, house cleansing with sage can be a powerful tool to help you release that negative energy and feel more grounded and centered.
And now, with these simple steps and some intention setting, you too can create a clean, positive space that supports your well-being and inner peace.
FAQs About House Cleansing with Sage
House cleansing with sage helps to remove negative energy and create a calming, peaceful, and positive environment.
It can also help to reduce stress, improve mood, and promote better sleep.
Understand What Sage to Buy?
When it comes to where to buy sage for cleansing, it can feel overwhelming with all the options out there. There are thousands of places to choose from, and not all of them are trustworthy or reliable.
I prefer to buy my sage locally when I can. There’s something special about being able to see it in person, and it gives me a chance to connect with the energy of the space it comes from.
That said, I’m pretty picky about where I shop—supermarkets or big chain stores don’t always feel right for something as sacred as sage. I like to support smaller, trusted local businesses that truly understand the importance of these rituals.
I took my time finding a supplier that not only resonates with my own energy but also ensures the sage is ethically sourced and of the highest quality. This is the best sage for cleansing negative energy I now offer on our platform.
It took a lot of trial and error, but I’m confident this is the best choice for cleansing negative energy.
I’ve done the work so you don’t have to, and I can’t wait for you to experience it yourself.
How to Burn Sage Safely?
As I said, I don’t like to play with fire. So, when I burn my sage, I keep it lif for just 10 seconds. If it happens to go out during the process, no big deal… I simply relight it using the white candle’s flame.
Another tip that I’ve found useful is standing close to a sink (just in case), or, if you have the abalone shell it can be dampened slightly with water beforehand.
This way, when you’re done cleansing, you can gently press the sage into the shell to put it out without creating too much smoke or ash.
What is Smudging?
Smudging is a traditional practice that involves burning sacred herbs, such as sage, to purify and cleanse a space or individual.
It is commonly used in spiritual and energy work, as well as for relaxation and stress relief.
House Cleansing with Sage Prayer
When it comes to cleansing and protecting your space, your intention is everything.
One of the most powerful ways to infuse your home with positive, protective energy is through a sage cleansing prayer.
Now, you might be thinking, “Where do I find the perfect prayer?” The beauty is, you don’t need something pre-written unless you feel called to it.
You can find many beautiful prayers online, but there’s something magical about crafting one yourself, using your own words and heartfelt intentions. When you create your own, it becomes uniquely yours, aligned with your energy, your home, and your purpose.
Another wonderful way to enhance the cleansing process is by calling upon your ancestral guides—your antenati—or your animal guides, spirit guides, or angels. Ask them to stand by your side, to offer their strength and wisdom to protect and bless your space.
For an extra layer of protection, consider using crystals. Some people like to carry them as they cleanse, while others place their most powerful stones in the four corners of the home to act as protective anchors.
Stones like black tourmaline, amethyst, or clear quartz are excellent for this purpose. These natural elements resonate with the energy of protection and grounding, working with your intent to shield and bless your space.
How to Cleanse a House with Sage and Salt?
Cleansing your home is not just about removing physical clutter—it’s about releasing stagnant energy and inviting in peace and protection.
I’ve put together 7 simple but powerful steps for you to follow when cleansing your space with sage.
If you want to amplify the protection in a specific room, here’s a little trick I love to use: take some coarse salt and place it in a dish. Leave it in the room for 24 hours. This simple yet powerful method acts like a magnet for negative energy, giving your space an additional shield.
Once the 24 hours are up, toss the salt outside—it’s done its job of absorbing what no longer serves you.
Cleansing vs Cleaning: What’s the Difference?
They may sound like the same thing, but they’re worlds apart—and both are essential if you want to create a home that feels not only tidy but also harmonious and energetically vibrant.
Cleaning is something we’re all familiar with. It’s the act of sweeping, mopping, dusting—getting rid of the visible dirt and grime that builds up over time. It’s about keeping things hygienic, making sure your home looks and feels fresh on the surface.
You know that satisfying feeling after you’ve tidied up? It’s like a breath of fresh air. But, here’s the thing: physical cleanliness is only half the story.
Cleansing is where the magic really happens. It isn’t about scrubbing floors or wiping counters—it’s about clearing away the energetic clutter. It’s for those invisible, yet very real, negative vibes that can accumulate in your home.
Resetting the energy in your space, creating a sense of lightness and flow.
Symptoms of Negative Energy at Home aka Energy Thieves
– Negative Relationships
– Pay Debts on Time or Get Paid on Time
– Keep the Promises You Make to Yourself and Others
– Delegate
– Rest and Recharge
– Declutter
– Health is Wealth
– Acceptance and Gratitude
– Forgiveness

Get Your Cleansing Tools!
Ready to clear negative energy but don’t know where to begin? Explore our handpicked selection of cleansing tools designed to elevate your home’s energy.
Discover sage bundles, Palo Santo, crystals, and more—everything you need for a fresh start.
Conclusion: How to Sage Your House for the First Time Spiritually
So there you have it, I hope this guide has given you all the information you need to safely burn sage and cleanse your home with sage.
And I suggest making it a regular practice—maybe once a month or every change of season—to keep the energy in your space fresh and vibrant.
Remember, cleansing is not just about removing negative energy—it’s also about inviting positive, protective energy into your home.
So next time you feel like something doesn’t quite vibe in your space, take some time to smudge away any negative energy and welcome in the good vibes. Your home will thank you for it, and forever Divinely Guided!
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