5 Things You NEED To Be Cleaning Before Traveling
Traveling is an exciting adventure that many of us look forward to. Whether it’s a weekend getaway, a business trip, or a long vacation abroad, the last thing you want to do when you return home is deal with a messy or disorganized space. While packing and organizing your trip are top priorities, it’s just as important to make sure your home is clean before you leave. Not only does cleaning before traveling help ensure you return to a fresh and welcoming environment, but it also can prevent potential issues while you’re away.
So, what exactly should you be cleaning before you travel? Here are my five key things to tidy up before you head out the door to ensure peace of mind and a smooth journey!
1. The Kitchen – Cleaning before traveling to Avoid Food Waste and Pests
The kitchen is often the most used space in the home, and it’s the first place that can get messy if left unattended for too long. Before traveling, it’s crucial to take the time to clean your kitchen thoroughly to avoid the problem of food waste, unpleasant odors, and even pests while you’re away.
Why it’s important:
- Food waste: Leftover food can spoil while you’re away, making your fridge smell bad and possibly leading to mold or bacteria growth. It’s always best to clean out your fridge and pantry before you leave to prevent this.
- Pests: If food is left out, even in small quantities, it can attract pests like ants, fruit flies, or rodents. These uninvited guests could turn your return home into a nightmare.
- Odor: Dirty dishes or trash left out will start to smell over time, leading to a less-than-pleasant homecoming.
What to do:
- Fridge: Go through your refrigerator and dispose of any perishable items like fruits, vegetables, dairy, or leftovers. Wipe down shelves and drawers with a mixture of water and vinegar to remove any lingering odors.
- Sink: Make sure to wash all dishes and clean the sink thoroughly to prevent bacteria buildup. You don’t want dirty dishes sitting for days while you’re gone.
- Trash: Take out all trash, including recycling, to avoid odors or attracting pests.
- Pantry: Check your pantry for any expired or soon-to-expire food items. It’s also a great time to organize your shelves so that you can come back to an easy-to-navigate kitchen.
2. The Bathroom – Prevent Mold and Mildew
Bathrooms are another space that can quickly accumulate grime and germs, especially in humid environments. Cleaning your bathroom before you leave will help prevent mold and mildew from growing while you’re gone, as well as ensure everything is fresh and sanitary for your return.
Why it’s important:
- Humidity: Bathrooms, especially ones without proper ventilation, can become breeding grounds for mold and mildew. Cleaning the bathroom before you leave can help prevent these unsightly and potentially harmful issues.
- Toilet and shower germs: If you leave your bathroom dirty, germs and bacteria from the toilet, sink, or shower can build up and multiply, causing unpleasant odors and cleaning headaches when you return.
- Odors: A clean bathroom will help ensure your space smells fresh and welcoming when you come back.
What to do:
- Shower/Tub: Scrub the tub and shower walls to remove soap scum and any potential mold or mildew buildup. Use a mildew-fighting cleaner or vinegar solution to clean grout and tiles.
- Toilet: Clean the toilet bowl and wipe down all surfaces, including the tank, lid, and flush handle, with disinfectant.
- Sink and Countertops: Clean the sink and countertops, paying special attention to toothpaste or soap buildup. Wipe down faucets and handles.
- Mirrors and Glass: Don’t forget to clean mirrors and any glass surfaces. A simple glass cleaner or a vinegar-water solution will give them a streak-free shine.
- Floors: Sweep and mop the bathroom floor to ensure it’s sparkling clean.
3. Floors – Avoid Returning to a Dusty, Dirty Home
It’s easy to forget about your floors, but they’re one of the most noticeable places in your home, especially if you’ve been walking around in shoes or have left any spills or dust behind. Cleaning your floors before leaving will help prevent dust from accumulating and ensure your home feels fresh when you return.
Why it’s important:
- Dust buildup: Dust can accumulate quickly and can make your home feel dirty. Regularly cleaning your floors helps prevent this.
- Pet hair: If you have pets, their hair can build up while you’re away, which means you’ll likely return to a furry situation. Cleaning the floors beforehand will minimize the issue.
- Spills: Any spills or stains on the floor will be left unattended, making it harder to clean up when you return.
What to do:
- Vacuum: Start by vacuuming carpets, rugs, and hardwood floors to remove any dust or debris. Be sure to get into corners and under furniture where dust tends to accumulate.
- Mop: After vacuuming, mop your floors with a suitable floor cleaner. For hardwood or tile, use a gentle cleaner to avoid damaging the surface.
- Spot Clean: If you have any stains on the carpet, take the time to spot clean them. The longer a stain sits, the harder it will be to remove later.
4. The Trash – Take It Out (and Take Care of Potential Smells)
This one may seem obvious, but it’s important not to overlook. Taking out your trash before leaving will prevent odors and potential messes from building up in your absence. Additionally, if you have trash bins or composting areas outside, make sure those are emptied as well.
Why it’s important:
- Smell: Trash left sitting for days will start to smell bad, and that smell will permeate your home upon your return.
- Rodents and Bugs: Unattended trash can attract rodents, insects, or other pests, which you definitely want to avoid while you’re away.
What to do:
- Indoor Trash: Empty all indoor trash cans and take the bags outside. Make sure your kitchen and bathroom bins are emptied, as well as any small bins in your bedrooms or living areas.
- Outdoor Trash/Compost: If you have trash or compost bins outside, ensure they’re also emptied before you leave. If necessary, rinse out your bins to prevent smells from lingering.
- Disinfect: Clean out the inside of trash bins with soap and water to eliminate any lingering odors. You can also place a small air freshener in the bottom of the bins for extra freshness.
5. Electronics – Wipe Down Devices to Prevent Dust Buildup
Our electronics—whether it’s laptops, phones, or smart home devices—are things we interact with daily. Before heading out, make sure your electronics are wiped down and cleaned to avoid dust buildup, fingerprints, and germs.
Why it’s important:
- Dust buildup: Dust and debris can easily collect on your devices, including screens and keyboards. Leaving them dirty for extended periods means you’ll return to a less-than-pleasant view.
- Hygiene: Devices like phones and remote controls are often touched by many people, and cleaning them before traveling can help reduce the spread of germs.
What to do:
- Phones and Tablets: Wipe down your phone, tablet, and any touchscreens with a microfiber cloth and a gentle cleaning solution designed for electronics.
- Laptops/Keyboards: Use a microfiber cloth to clean your laptop screen and keyboard. You can use compressed air to remove any crumbs or dust from between the keys.
- Other Devices: Wipe down remotes, speakers, and smart devices to remove dust and germs.
Cleaning before traveling is more than just a chore—it’s a way to ensure that you return home to a comfortable, fresh, and organized space. By addressing the kitchen, bathroom, floors, trash, and electronics, you’ll prevent potential issues like pests, odors, and clutter from piling up while you’re away. This simple act can make a huge difference, giving you peace of mind and a sense of calm when you return. So, before you lock your doors and head out for your next adventure, take a few moments to tackle these key cleaning tasks—you’ll thank yourself later!
