7 Things You Should Clean Before Leaving for Vacation
These are the tasks that matter most.
Returning from vacation to a clean house can make unpacking and settling back into your routine a lot more pleasant. As a reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Home Care & Cleaning Lab, I recommend giving your home a thorough cleaning before you depart whenever possible. But if you're rushing to pack the night before your trip, deep cleaning the whole house probably isn't in the cards.
When short on time, I focus on the handful of cleaning tasks that can actually prevent bigger problems from developing while my home sits empty. Spending just 20 or 30 minutes cleaning before leaving can go a long way toward preventing odors, pests, and stubborn messes so you can enjoy your trip without wondering what you'll come home to. These are the chores I never skip before leaving for vacation.
The laundry
It requires a little forethought, but doing laundry the night before your trip is essential. With your entire wardrobe clean, you can pack exactly what you want rather than working around whatever's left in your closet or dresser. Better yet, you won't come home to a hamper full of dirty laundry.
If you have the time, wash your sheets, too. After a long day of traveling, you'll appreciate climbing into a freshly made bed.
Appliances with water reserves
Before you depart, empty small appliances that hold standing water, such as coffee makers, humidifiers, and countertop ice makers. Water left sitting for extended periods can develop stale odors, encourage slimy buildup, and even leave behind hard water deposits, meaning there's one more thing to clean when you get home.
Your fruit bowl and refrigerator
Rather than waiting until the day you leave, start working through perishable foods a few days before your trip. This can help reduce food waste while making it less likely that you'll return to spoiled leftovers, leaking produce, or unpleasant odors in the refrigerator.
Before you head out, check for anything unlikely to last until you get back. If you'll be gone for more than a few days, be sure to get rid of any leftovers, berries, leafy greens, dairy products, or ripe fruit. If possible, pass them along to a friend or neighbor. If not, compost or discard them.
The dishes
Hand-wash any dirty dishes, or load and run the dishwasher. Aside from becoming harder to clean the longer they sit drying, dishes with food residue can attract pests like cockroaches or become a breeding ground for fruit flies. Dirty dishes left in the dishwasher are especially likely to develop unpleasant odors or even grow mold.
Crumbs
While you might not have time to vacuum the entire house before heading out, it's worth taking a minute to clean up any obvious kitchen crumbs. Start by wiping down the counters, and then sweep or vacuum other areas where food tends to collect, like under the dining table, near the trash can, or around your pet's feeding area. Removing those easy food sources can make your home less inviting to ants, cockroaches, and other pests.
Pet bowls and the litter box
If you have dogs or cats, wash food and water bowls to remove leftover residue, and scoop or change the litter box before you leave. If a friend, neighbor, or pet sitter will be stopping by while you're away, it's courteous to start them off with a clean slate. Even if your pets will be staying elsewhere during your trip, leftover food and a dirty litter box can contribute to unpleasant odors while your home sits empty.
The trash and recycling
Empty every waste bin before you leave, not just the kitchen trash. Food scraps can quickly begin to smell and may attract insects and rodents, while even bathroom trash can develop unpleasant odors after sitting for several days. While you're at it, take out the recycling, too. Food residue left behind in cans, bottles, and other containers can also attract pests, especially if they weren't rinsed thoroughly. If you compost, be sure to empty the bin before heading out as well. It's a simple task that can help ensure your home smells fresh when you return.
Noah works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. He draws on scientific expertise garnered during his time as an environmental researcher, where he managed environmental monitoring equipment, analyzed water samples in a lab and developed protocols for restoration projects. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
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