We can’t blame ourselves for getting too excited to leave the house for a vacation, especially if we have waited for it for months, sometimes even years.
The only danger about this is that we tend to forget important things that involve our household. No matter how much we hate to admit it, there are things that we take for granted just because we’re looking forward to the days we can spend a relaxing time at the beach or at a foreign city.
Picking the best-checked luggage for this trip shouldn’t be our only priority.
Of course, coming back to your neglected home after a fun vacation time has never been a good feeling. After a long day of traveling, you just want to lie on your bed and get a good night’s sleep, but that’ not going to happen if you still have a dirty home waiting to be tidied up.
To avoid ruining a good trip, make sure you pay attention to the stuff that you are going to leave behind. Here are seven things that you should do before going on vacation:
1. Clean your home
This is practically the most important thing that you should never forget. To come home to a dirty house after a wonderful trip is tantamount to a lot of disappointments.
I mean, who wouldn’t be deflated to a scene such as that?
But after all, what would you expect? You left it brimming with dirt and dust so don’t expect it to magically clean itself while you’re away for vacation.
After you pack your stuff, the next thing that you should do is to start tidying up your place. I’m sure after you’ve picked out your outfits, you would need to do a lot of reorganizing. Don’t leave a sad pile of clothes lying on your bed.
2. Take out the trash
No one wants to come back to a bad-smelling home. The simple gesture of putting out your trash before you leave your house is one sign that you’re a responsible homeowner ‒ not that we’re judging those who forget to do it.
Besides, leaving your trash swarming with flies and other pests could be a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses — and that’s not what you would want to expect after a relaxing getaway.
Don’t expect someone else to do the job for you. Do it on your own, and you can enjoy the rest of your vacation without worrying about it.
3. Wash the dishes
Now, another thing that you should pay attention to before turning all the lights off inside your house is whether your sink is clean and empty.
Why? Because leaving dirty dishes on your sink for a couple of days is downright icky and a complete turnoff.
Would you really reuse a plate that’s been left out rotting with remains of the last meal you ate before you leave your house? Honestly, that’s not very hygienic.
Making an effort to schedule household chores like this can save you from the unwanted smell and annoyance that will welcome you right back when you come home.
4. Unplug your electronics
To unplug your electronics before stepping out of your house is not only an energy-efficient move, but it also saves you from the worry of burning your house down while you are miles away.
Spare yourself from the sinking feeling of worrying whether you’ve unplugged a certain appliance in your home or not.
5. Turn off the water supply
Aside from saving electricity and making sure that you don’t turn your house into ashes, you must also pay attention to your water supply.
If you’re going away for a week, turning your main water supply off is another way to conserve it.
There might be leaks within your home that you know nothing about, so as a safety measure, you must make sure that it is turned off.
6. Store valuables in a safe deposit
And since you can’t bring all your valuables during a vacation, keeping them safe while you’re away is a must-do.
If you have a bundle of cold cash sitting around your house, your pieces of jewelry, or anything of value, don’t just leave it as if someone is going to guard it.
Burglars will sweep your house clean with no mercy. This isn’t a Home Alone movie set where Kevin is witty enough to shoo the bad guys away.
A safe deposit will be your trusty friend that will watch over your belongings while you explore a new city in a faraway country.
7. Make sure doors are locked
Lastly, don’t give anyone free access inside your house by leaving it open. I’m pretty sure no one is on that level of absent-mindedness to leave their home wide open for strangers to come in.
Double-check, triple-check if you must, that all your doors and windows are locked, and your alarm system is up and going.
Conclusion
These are all just stern reminders on the things that you should do before jet setting across the globe. These tips are also a guarantee that you still have a house to go home to when you come back.
While most of them may sound obvious, you should never take them for granted. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself after you’ve accomplished all the items mentioned above.
Now, if you’ve got everything covered, you can finally wish yourself a good vacation ahead!
Author Bio:Kate Manning is passionate about home improvement and interior decoration. When not at work, you'll see her running around the neighborhood to prepare for any upcoming local marathon.
