Yes! You’re going on vacation!
The countdown to vacation has begun, and you’re dreaming about all the fun. But before you head out to the serene beaches, create your own calm at home.
Think about it. There’s something to be said for coming home to a nice clean home, with the only item on the to-do list is to recover from your vacation.
Prioritization is the key. The time before a vacation can get fairly hectic, with a hurried rush to get packed and take care of any last-minute vacation prep. Tackle the cleaning tasks that need to get done first (or contact a cleaner so you can work or pack while they clean), and then roll up your sleeves and get those “it would be really nice to…” cleaning tasks done next (we’ve put the top priority cleaning tasks first on the list).
Wash dirty dishes.
If you don’t want to come home to mold and a nasty smell, wash your dirty dishes. Clean the sink out and wipe down the faucet.
Take out the trash.
A foul odor is not something to come home to. Remove bags from every garbage can in the home, such as the kitchen and bathrooms.
Clean out the refrigerator.
It’s amazing how fast items in the refrigerator can go bad, even when you’re only gone for a few days. Go through the refrigerator and pull out any items that would be unsafe to eat or drink, such as milk and fresh produce.
Wipe down the counters.
Ants and other pests can move in quickly, especially if you leave out temptations. Wipe down the counters to ensure that you don’t have to come home to pest extermination and cleaning.
Sweep the floors.
A floor full of debris can be just as much as an attraction for pests. Sweep the floors as thoroughly as possible and vacuum carpets. If you have time, mop the floors as well or contact a local cleaning service to give you a home of pristine floors you can come home to.
Clean the bathroom.
A clean bathroom definitely fits into the “it would be really nice to…” but it doesn’t have to be done. However, there’s no denying that a clean bathroom is a very nice luxury, giving you peace of mind while you’re away and one less thing to do when you get home. If you don’t have time, schedule a cleaner to get the job done while you are away.
Launder bedding.
Clean sheets feel and look great, and feel like heaven after a vacation. Launder all sheets and bedding before you go on vacation; make sure the bedding is hung up to dry or dry before you leave to prevent having to rewash the bedding.
