Tickets and accommodations are booked. Bags are packed. Out of office message is set. But wait! There are still 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.

While this might seem like a long list, there are different considerations depending on how long you’ll be gone. Plus, a few items that fall more in the preference than necessity category but are sure to make your return home much smoother. From more obvious to-dos like taking out the trash to providing peace of mind by taking pictures of appliances switched off, here are 20 things every homeowner should do before heading out the door on vacation.

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!

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. Anything refrigerated that will spoil (like milk or leftovers) should be thrown out, but items from the countertop like citrus, bananas, avocados etc. can be refrigerated or frozen to extend their life.

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. 

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.

Be sure to save this task for last so you don’t accidentally end up with a rotting banana peel in the bin.

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.

And on the topic of laundry, while having clean linens isn’t a necessary task, you’ll feel extra productive and prepared for the week ahead when you arrive home to a freshly laundered and made bed.

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.

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.

You don't want bits of food sitting in the drain or disposal rotting the whole time you're away. Cleaning the sink before leaving will help to avoid returning to any unpleasant smells or attracting unwanted bugs. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

For those lucky enough to have a pool to combat the Southern 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. For extra insurance if it’s the height of summer, consider putting the hose in the pool and leaving it on with a slight trickle to combat any evaporation.

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.

While you don’t want to fully turn the system off, reducing the heat or air conditioning is a great way to save money and energy while you’re not home. 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, but regardless no less than 60 and no higher than 85 degrees Fahrenheit. 

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.

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.

And just in case anything goes awry while you’re out of town, let someone know so they can alert you if needed.

Source: 20 Things Every Homeowner Should Do Before Going On Vacation Southern Living (May 31, 2024) Cameron Beall