A vacation is something that people save and excitedly wait for. However, it requires quite a bit of planning, especially if it is a long-term vacation.
Aside from preparing your luggage, your trip details, and such, you also have to figure out how you are going to manage your home while you are away for a while. Because nothing is going to ruin the good vibes that vacation can bring other than you worrying about the state of your home.
Instead of worrying whether you left anything plugged in or any doors open, it is better that you create a checklist of items that you need to do before going on a vacation.
Luckily, we have come up with some of the things you need to cross off your list before you venture off to peace and relaxation.
Tidy Up and Clean Up
At Maid Sailors Home Cleaning Service NYC, we always tell our clients that tidying up is one of the first things you need to do before you go on a vacation.
Although this task might not feel exceptionally glamorous, especially if your mind’s already on vacation mode, it is necessary. There’s nothing that will bring down your vacation high more than coming back to a messy and cluttered home.
If you have the time, then you should make sure that your home is tidy. Make sure to throw out the garbage, empty your fridge, unplug your appliances, set your security alarm, and have someone to look after your house. Don’t forget to do the dishes, coming back to dirty dishes that have been sitting is the worst.
If you are going away on a long-term vacation, then you might want to consider booking a deep cleaning session.
Clean Out Your Fridge
Before you go on a vacation, another thing you need to check up on would be your refrigerator.
Since no one is going to be in your house consuming the food anyway, you should find ways on how you can dispose of it. You can use it, give it away, or throw it if it’s near expiration. While you’re cleaning out your fridge, you should also check up on your pantry and get rid of any perishable food items there, especially fruits and veggies.
You don’t want to come back to the smell of rotting food after arriving from your vacation. So to prevent that, get rid of anything that might spoil in your home while you’re away.
Set Your Thermostat
If you have the latest thermostats in your home, then you can set your thermostat to “Away Mode.” This mode will regulate the temperature in your home while you’re away.
For example, in the colder months, it can heat your home while in the warmer season, it can cool it down.
If you’re going away for long, then you might want to turn it off instead. However, if it’s not going to take that long, then you should keep the thermostat running.
Also, if you’re going on vacation during the winter months, then it might be better to keep the heat running. That way, your pipes don’t end up frozen before you come home, but you can still turn it down.
Clean Your Garbage Disposal
When cleaning your home before you leave the house, don’t forget to clean your garbage disposal as well.
Since you’re going to be away for a while, your garbage disposal isn’t going to get much use for several days. Therefore, what will happen is that some debris still in your garbage disposal will end up rotting.
After you come home, you might find a peculiar stink emanating from inside your sink. To avoid that altogether, all you need to do is to clean out your garbage disposal thoroughly.
Double Check the Laundry
Before you leave your house, make sure that you did not leave your laundry stuck inside your washer. Otherwise, your clothes are going to end up smelling sour, and you are going to have to clean them again.
Make sure that your laundry is dried. Do not postpone folding and organizing your clothes while you are at it.
It is not the best way to come home from a long time of traveling to a bunch of chores that need doing. Thus, you should deal with any of your laundries before you leave.
After all, you are going to be dealing with laundry by the time you come back home because of all the clothes that you used during your vacation. So, might as well reduce the load while you can.
Schedule Lights
You want to deter hoodlums from targeting your home while you’re away. To do that, you should set up specific security measures that won’t make people think that there are no people inside your house.
One way to do that is by getting lights that power based on a specific schedule that you set.
Some light systems have the option to turn your lights on and off at different times, with no set schedule. Make sure that you test this out first before you use it and leave your house.
You don’t want people to see your lights turned on at peculiar times on a schedule, like say at two in the morning.
Take Care of Mail and Deliveries
Another indication that nobody is home in your house is if deliveries or mail are all stacking up in your mailbox. People can see that and know that your house is empty.
Make sure you contact your nearest post office and ask them to momentarily hold any of your mail since you’re going to be away for a while.
Unplug Unnecessary Appliances
Unplug most, if not all, of your appliances at home so that you can avoid any electrical surge doing damage on your machines.
Depending on some appliances, you can get away with leaving them plugged if you’re only leaving for a short time. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry and unplug everything anyway.
Secure Your Home
Make sure that all of your doors are locked. Secure your windows and any possible entrances inside your home. Set up a security alarm system that will notify authorities if you get any break-ins. Put your security on the highest setting while you are away.
Before you leave for a vacation, make sure that you run through this article so that you can leave your home with peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your holiday fully. After all, you deserve to give yourself a break.
