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What Should I Do With My Apartment While On Vacation?
Vacations are great, aren’t they?
Unfortunately, you might worry that your apartment will be okay while you’re gone.
The good news is that it doesn’t take much work to prep your apartment before leaving for a well-deserved vacation. Before you head to the beach, mountains, or entertainment park, go through the following to ensure you can relax while you’re away.
Conduct a Quick Clean-Up
No one looks forward to returning home to odd smells, spoiled food, and fruit flies. The day before you leave, make sure to:
- Throw out perishable and nearly-expired items in the refrigerator.
- Throw out open fruits, vegetables, and similar items. If you have open bags of chips or other snacks, make sure they’re either tightly sealed or thrown away.
- Go through your pantry and throw out or tightly seal open food packages or containers.
- Wash and put away all dishes, then give your sink a good rinsing, followed by thorough drying.
- Make sure your coffee maker is empty and clean—including the basket.
- Check your washer and dryer to ensure all clothes have finished washing and drying and have been put away.
- If you have cut flowers, throw them away and wash their vases.
- Bag and throw out all trash, including the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.
Set Your Apartment to “Vacation Mode”
After cleaning, complete the following checklist to put your efficient apartment into vacation mode.
- Set up timer plugs to automatically turn lights on and off at certain times, or consider smart plugs allowing you to turn on lights or television remotely from a smartphone.
- To save energy, unplug small appliances that may be drawing power even when not in active use. If you can, lower the temperature of your water heater.
- If the weather at home won’t be cold enough to threaten frozen pipes, lower your thermostats to help save on energy costs.
- Ensure all water faucets are completely turned off.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Put subscriptions on pause, including newspaper delivery and food delivery.
- Put a temporary hold on mail delivery.
- Check that all windows are securely locked.
Have Someone Check In From Time To Time
One of the surest ways to take care of your apartment, whether a studio or a 2-bedroom, while you’re away is to enlist the help of a relative, friend, or neighbor. This is especially true if you keep live plants or small pets. A helpful person can:
- Water your plants.
- Collect any forgotten deliveries.
- Ensure nothing alarming has occurred, such as a burst water pipe or break-in attempt.
- Help make your apartment look lived in.
- Feed fish or other small pets. Visit, feed, and play with a cat and clean their litter box.
If you’re going to be gone for a long while, or don’t have anyone handy to check in on your apartment for you, talk with your landlord or property management company to see if they can check in on your place from time to time.
Enjoy Your Vacation With Confidence
Prepping your apartment for a vacation is a bit of a chore, but it’s well worth it knowing you’ll be returning from your vacation to fewer hassles. The process is straightforward, and with just a little planning, it doesn’t need much time.
Follow the steps laid out above, and enjoy your time away. You’ve earned it!
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