5 Tips for Tidying Your Home Before Vacation
Summer vacations (or any vacations!) are amazing and relaxing, but you know what’s almost as relaxing as going on vacation? Coming home to a clean and tidy house.
When your space is uncluttered and a few regular chores are already done, it feels like you’re extending the calm and joy you felt on vacation.
I know that sometimes just getting ready to go out of town can feel busy and overwhelming, so the idea of adding another thing to your to-do list might feel impossible. But trust me, if you try my tips just once, you’ll never want to go out of town again without tidying your home first.
One quick thing to remember is this isn’t about making your home perfect. Don’t worry about doing all the decluttering or all the cleaning. We’re going to focus on just a few simple, basic things to make life easier and more pleasant for your future self.
Imagine how relaxed you’d be on vacation if you knew there were no big messes or chores left undone waiting for you back at home. (Photo by Chen Mizrach, Unsplash)
The benefits of tidying before vacation
Before we go over the specific steps to get the most out of your pre-vacation tidying, let’s review the benefits of this type of cleaning session.
A little bit of cleaning before you leave home for a few days can make a big difference when you return.
Instead of coming back to laundry that needs to be done, sheets that need to be changed, or crumbs on your counter, imagine walking into your home and seeing clean counters, having clean clothes in your closet, and sleeping on clean sheets.
We know that simply seeing clutter or chores left undone can create stress and anxiety, so seeing a cleaner home can help you feel less guilt or worry and make your entire vacation experience more pleasant.
A bit of tidying before vacation can:
Reduce stress after a vacation
Make the transition back to normal life gentler
Prevent unpleasant smells from trash or old food
Help your home feel restful instead of chaotic
Extend that relaxed vacation feeling a little longer
Think of it as a mini home reset to make coming home feel so much better.
The 5 simple home resets to do before any vacation
Every home is different, but there are a few basic universal needs for every home. Quickly doing these before you leave home is key.
Fresh sheets on a bed can be a simple way to feel more calm and ease after traveling.
1. Change the sheets on the beds.
This is probably my favorite pre-vacation task because the payoff feels so big.
No matter how long your trip is, there is something comforting about coming home and sleeping in your own bed again. And there is no better feeling than sleeping on fresh, clean sheets.
You don’t have to clean every corner of your bedroom. Just putting clean sheets on the bed instantly makes your home feel fresher, and you’ll enjoy a more restful night of sleep.
If you have time, fluff the pillows or quickly tidy the nightstands too.
2. Clean the floors
Don’t let this one feel intimidating. There’s no need to deep clean. Just a quick vacuum or sweep can make a huge difference.
Crumbs, pet hair, sand, dirt, and dust tend to make a home feel visually stressful very quickly. Taking care of the floors before you leave helps your entire home feel calmer when you walk back in the door.
Start by giving the highest traffic areas, like the living room and kitchen, a quick once-over.
3. Change the towels
Fresh towels are one of the little things that instantly make a home feel cleaner.
When you come home tired, it can be the smallest comforts that matter the most.
Set out clean bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths for everyone in your home before you go out of town. When you bathe or shower after vacation, you’ll feel healthier, cleaner, and a little bit pampered.
Put out clean towels, so they’re ready for you after your travels. (Photo by Franco Debartolo, Unsplash)
4. Empty the trash
This one is so practical, but important. It’s also an easy one to forget.
Nobody wants to come home to weird smells after being away for several days.
Before you leave:
Empty kitchen trash
Empty bathroom trash cans
Take out recycling if needed
This simple step helps your home feel fresh instead of stale when you walk in the door.
5. Dust or wipe down counters
This one is an either-or, and it depends on your home. If you already have a habit of wiping down your kitchen counter every evening or every couple of days, you may choose to look around and do a quick dusting.
If you don’t regularly wipe down your counters, then this pre-vacation home reset is the perfect time to give your counters a tiny bit of attention.
You don’t need spotless countertops, but clearing away visual clutter can help your home feel calmer immediately.
Try putting away:
Random papers
Mail piles
Water bottles
Small clutter hotspots
Items left on the kitchen counter
Then quickly wipe down the counters.
Clear surfaces can make your entire house feel lighter and easier to manage.
A few basic tasks can make coming home after a vacation so much more relaxing. (Photo by Vitali Gariev, Unsplash)
Extra credit if you have more time
If you have a little extra energy before your trip, here are a few bonus tasks that can make coming home even easier.
Clean Out the Fridge
Throw away anything that may spoil while you’re gone. Your future self will thank you the first time you open the fridge after a vacation!
Run the Dishwasher
Starting your vacation with an empty sink and clean dishes is always worth it.
Do a Quick Declutter
You don’t need to organize your entire house before vacation, but spending 10–15 minutes putting things back where they belong can make a big difference.
At the very least, tackle what causes you the most stress
I recommend doing your pre-vacation home reset within a couple of days before you leave. Try not to save all your cleaning for right before you walk out the door for your trip.
If you’re short on time or energy while getting ready for a vacation, focus on the thing that makes you feel the most overwhelmed when you look at it.
For you, that may be:
A cluttered kitchen counter
Laundry piled on a chair
Shoes by the front door
A messy bathroom sink
The overflowing mail pile
Pick just one thing to start. Don’t worry about it being perfect. Making a little bit of progress on something that’s caused you stress can still give you a calmer feeling when you come back home after a few days away.
Even a small amount of tidying can help your home feel more peaceful and welcoming, which is especially welcome after you’ve been traveling.
Easing into regular life after vacation
Having a tidy home makes it easier to get back to your normal life after a vacation.
It’s also more manageable to unpack within 24 hours of arriving home if you’re not distracted by clutter or chores nagging at your subconscious.
If you have piles of clutter, overstuffed closets, or stacks of boxes you’d like help getting under control in your home, reach out. I’m always here to help with any space you need simplified and organized.
Xoxo,
Michelle
