By Cameron Beall
Cameron Beall is a writer, marketer, photographer, and creative with over a year of experience with Southern Living in the realm of homes and home building. She was infatuated by home design from a young age, credit to her mother and grandmother.
Published on May 31, 2024
There are a few things to check off your to-do list before you’re officially in carefree vacation mode. Whether you’re heading out of town for a weekend getaway or an extended trip, there are a few basic things to take care of as a homeowner, or renter, before hitting the road.
1. Water Your Plants
Give all your flowers and shrubs an extra drink before leaving. If you plan to be gone for a while (especially in the summer), consider asking a neighbor to water everything once or twice while you're away. And don’t forget about any house plants!
2. Toss Out, Freeze, or Give Away Any Perishable Food
Check the contents of your fridge and fruit bowl for anything that will go bad before you return home to avoid bad smells or attracting fruit flies.
3. Ask a Neighbor to Pick Up Your Mail
If you’re only away for a long weekend, chances are your mailbox won’t fill up that fast so you’re in the clear. Otherwise it’s a good idea to have someone check your mail every few days to avoid anything being weather damaged—especially if you’re expecting any larger packages that won’t fit in the mailbox.
4. Snap Pictures of Household Appliances
Don’t let a mid-trip fear that you forgot to turn off the stove derail your bliss! Many people are more stressed about things they didn’t do before leaving home which can easily be solved with a few photos to reference. So just before you walk out the door take a picture of the stove, thermostat, locked back door, garage if applicable, and even bathroom outlets if you use hair appliances to ensure peace of mind that everything is as it should be.
5. Take Out the Trash
Be sure to save this task for last so you don’t accidentally end up with a rotting banana peel in the bin.
6. Do Your Laundry
Go ahead and make sure your hamper and machines are empty so that when you return from vacation you’re not inundated with a multiple loads to do.
7. Change Your Sheets
You’ll feel extra productive and prepared for the week ahead if you arrive home to a freshly laundered and made bed.
8. Decide Which Lights to Leave On
It’s good to pick a few to keep on to make it look like someone’s home, but if you’re often out of town for long periods of time, consider setting some lights on a timer. This will help avoid running up your power bill by setting them to only come on at night without using unnecessary energy.9. Empty the Coffee Pot
Even if you’re running out the door to catch a 6 a.m. flight, be sure to dump out any extra coffee and throw away the filter and grounds! No one wants to come home to a moldy pot.
9. Empty the Coffee Pot
No one wants to come home to a moldy pot.
10. Wipe Out the Sink and Run the Disposal
Cleaning the sink before leaving will help to avoid returning to any unpleasant smells or bugs.
11. Run the Dishwasher
In the same vein, be sure to run your dishwasher before leaving. While it’s okay for clean items to await unloading, you don’t want dirty things sitting in there for an extended period of time because it will make your dishwasher stinky.
12. Mow the Lawn
If your yard is in need of maintenance before you leave town, then it’s likely going to require some serious TLC upon your return. Instead of dealing with an unnecessarily overgrown and messy landscape that calls for immediate attention post vacation, go ahead and mow the grass, trim the hedges, and get it in proper shape beforehand.
13. Stock the Freezer with an Easy Meal
The last thing anyone wants to do when returning home from a long travel day is cook, but most of the time you’re also craving a home cooked meal after eating out more on vacation. To save time and brainpower, make a homemade casserole before departing and stash it in the freezer or have something like a frozen pizza at the ready to toss in the oven.
14. Tidy Up!
Coming home to a messy house can often be the last straw after being on the road. While your house won’t fall apart if it’s dirty while you’re gone, try to do a little dusting, vacuuming, and general tidying up before you leave for a seamless transition back into your regular schedule.
15. Treat the Pool
For those lucky enough to have a pool to combat the heat, then you better treat it right! If you’re away for more than the weekend, it’s a good idea to “shock” your pool so you don’t come back to green water. This simply means adding a little extra chlorine to help maintain it.
16. Plan for the Weather
If there are potential storms blowing through, especially during hurricane season if you live in a coastal region, consider storing any outdoor living items like cushions that are subject to blow away and take any additional necessary precautions to avoid damage to your home. In the winter months, if the temperatures are threatening to drop below freezing while you’re on vacation, it’s a good idea to drip the faucets to avoid busted pipes.
17. Reset the Thermostat
A good rule of thumb is to adjust it approximately 5-10 degrees higher or lower than it’s normally set. This will vary depending on the climate where you live and time of year.
18. Check the Outlets
To save energy and avoid accidentally leaving something plugged in that shouldn’t be, it’s always a good idea to do a quick sweep of the house and unplug anything that’s not essential to stay plugged in.
19. Double-Check Locks and Alarms
Lastly, be sure to check all doors are locked, windows shut and secured, and if applicable set your home alarm system and cameras. You may even want to take a picture of the alarm panel and any main entries if you’re prone to worrying something is amiss while away.
20. Tell a Friend or Neighbor
And just in case anything goes awry while you’re out of town, let someone know so they can alert you if needed.