6 Things You Should Always Clean Before You Travel

Packing for a trip is hectic enough, but the benefits of doing certain cleaning tasks before you leave make them well worth your time and effort! In this post, you’ll learn which 7 chores are most beneficial to complete before departing for a trip.

The 6 cleaning tasks (plus one bonus task) in the list below aren’t concerned with tidiness; they’re things you can do to prevent musty odors from forming while you’re gone and make it easier for everyone to unpack once you’re home. I’ve arranged the tasks from high to low priority, so even though they’re all worth doing, you’ll still be better off if you only have time to complete the first few.

Jillee’s Take:

It’s not necesarily easy to clean while you’re preparing for a trip, but I find it much easier to relax and be truly present on vacation when I know I left my house in good shape. Arriving home to a clean house also helps mediate the dreaded post-vacation blues!

6 Pre-Travel Cleaning Tasks You’ll Be Glad You Did

1. Wash The Dishes

Running a load of dishes before leaving for a trip — whether the night before or right before you head out the door — has several benefits, like preventing food residues from drying out and unpleasant smells from forming. I like to go a step further and empty the dishwasher if I can manage it because I won’t have to worry about unloading dishes as soon as I get home.

2. Clean Out The Fridge

Give your refrigerator a thorough inspection, identify any perishables that won’t last the duration of your trip, and either throw them away or freeze them. No one wants to come home to a fridge (or kitchen!) that smells like rotting food! (Plus, I’ve got tips that make cleaning the fridge painless!)

3. Take Out The Trash

Another thing you can do to avoid returning home to unpleasant odors is take the trash out before you leave. Kitchen trash is the most important, but it won’t hurt to empty smaller wastebaskets in bathrooms and other rooms too. (If your empty trash cans smell a bit, wipe them out with a damp cloth and place a deodorizing disk at the bottom.)

4. Clean The Garbage Disposal

Your garbage disposal is another spot where odors can fester while you’re gone. Cleaning and sanitizing your garbage disposal can be quick and easy using vinegar and lemon ice cubes. Also consider flushing your shower, tub, and sink drains with soap and hot water so they stay fresh while you’re away.

5. Finish Any Laundry In Progress

You know you’ll have plenty of laundry to do once you get home from your trip, and you can make it easier on yourself by emptying your washer and dryer before you leave. Additionally, finishing up any laundry you started while packing means you won’t come home to a washer full of musty, semi-damp clothes (or a dryer full of wrinkled clothes).

6. Air Out Your Washing Machine

Once your washer is empty, there are a few simple things you can do to prevent odors and mildew from forming while you’re gone. Run a quick wash cycle with a cup of vinegar in the drum, then use a microfiber cloth to clean and dry the seal around the door.

Finally, leave the door of your washing machine ajar, if possible, to let it air out while you’re gone. (And don’t forget to clean your washing machine regularly!)

BONUS: Schedule A Grocery Delivery

Author’s Note: This isn’t a cleaning task, but I decided to include it as a bonus tip because it’s one the best gifts you can give your post-vacation self!

Place a grocery order and schedule it to be delivered the same day you return from your trip or vacation. Having groceries on hand will make it so much easier to get back into your daily routine, especially if you’re getting back on a Sunday and have a busy week ahead!

What chores do you prioritize before leaving on a trip?