Hold the mail – If you’ll be gone awhile hold your mail. For long stints away take a few minutes to stop your mail online to avoid pileup. If you just go to USPS.com, you can put your mail on hold for a length of time. You may still want to tell a neighbor or a friend to watch for rogue package deliveries that may arrive from a corporate carrier.
Throw on fresh sheets – one of the nicest things you can do for your future self is making a hotel fresh bed with clean sheets for your return. It’s not the biggest deal in the world, but it’s a luxurious touch. Plus, you don’t want to get back into a dirty bed when you come home.
Clean out the fridge (but not too much) –Head to your kitchen and look for any items that may spoil while you’re away, particularly animal products and produce. That milk may last for a weekend trip, but not your two-week vacation. Don’t completely empty your fridge, though. Having some items in there helps it run more efficiently. Moati left his empty for an extended period away and it was broken when he returned. “I think it froze to death,” he says.
Run the dishwasher –Don’t give dirty dishes the chance to turn into a science experiment — run your dishwasher before you leave. Bonus points if you unload it, too, but the main point is to avoid a slimy, smelly scene.
Treat your laundry the same way – If you have a pile of rank laundry, take care of it before you leave. But a hamper of lightly stained clothes waiting for your return won’t hurt.
Check for fire hazards – Unplug a bunch of appliances and electronics and to make sure the lights and stove are off.
On your way out, take out the trash and recycling – Have your bag(s) of trash and recyclables ready by your door to take out on your way out. No one wants to come home to a place that smells like festering garbage.
And with that last drop, your checklist is complete.
