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So you’re actually doing it, you’re packing up and dipping out for real. Like you’re not just trying to make your home into that beach house feeling, but instead, you’re doing something for real. Nope, not even a long weekend getaway that people do during Labor Day weekend. Nope, this is better, this is longer, this is weekend, or maybe even months. Like, maybe it’s a road trip across the country, maybe it’s a cruise that goes around the world (they’re expensive but a lot of people do them), or maybe you’re doing that digital nomad thing and working from cafes in Bali ot Portugal, or wherever else.
Okay, well, whatever it is, you’re gonna be gone for a while, and your house needs to be ready to survive without you. Now, some people use Airbnb if they’re out of the house, others will do a house swap, house sitters, pet sitters, or will just let their house be vacant. Okay, well, regardless there, you don’t want to come home and have your house be sheer chaos.
There’s this wonderful feeling of coming home to a clean house, like a well-maintained house, and that usually starts with you doing things before your long vacation.
You Might Need to Scrub
No one wants to clean before vacation. It’s literally the last thing on your mind. Yeah, you’re in trip mode. But coming home to a messy house after weeks or months away? Yeah, you don’t want to do that; that’s pure heartbreak. You’ll just drop your bags, stare at the mess, and go “nope.” It just gets you in a horrible mood. No, really, it ain’t worth it. So yeah, get to cleaning. You don’t have to go wild, just make it “TikTok mommy influencer on a Sunday” level tidy (or clean like you’re having a guest coming over, like that one YouTube meme).
Oh, and seriously, do something about the floors too, like it might help to book a carpet cleaning before you go. No vacuum usually isn’t enough, nor is mopping either. It sounds extra, but walking into a fresh, clean house after living out of hotels really does feel heavenly.
Unplug it All
Unless people are staying at your house while you’re away, there’s literally no reason to have anything plugged in. So, pull the plug on everything you can, like the lamps, TVs, chargers, and those random kitchen appliances you swore you’d use more. You’re not gonna be home, so why pay for power you’re not using? Plus, it’s safer, and it’s cheaper because phantom energy is a real thing.
Stop Telling the Internet You’re Gone
People love to announce their trips like it’s a personality trait. Seriously, here, just save the photo dumps for when you’re back. This piece of advice has been out there for years, but people still make it. If you can, get a friend or neighbor to pop by sometimes, but you might not need to worry about this if others are home.
Deal with the Living Things Before they Die
Like what exactly? Well, plants, pets, food, basically, all potential disasters. Okay, hopefully you already know the pet bit, that’s self-explanatory (and please don’t be a bad pet owner), but when it comes to plants, you can’t water them a lot; you might need to ask someone to come by and water them. Also, remove perishable items from the fridge.
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