Comments on: Question of the Day: Do You Clean Before You Leave for Vacation?

By: Lelah

Lelah — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:05:54 +0000

I always clean before I leave for an extended period of time, including getting the laundry done so there is something to wear even if I come back with a suitcase full of dirty clothes. Consuming or throwing out food that's going to go bad in the meantime is also a must. I try to time the trip so I leave on a Sunday or at the beginning of the week so I have weekend time to prepare, and return no later than a Saturday night so I have Sunday to settle in before starting the week on Monday. It's really imperative to have time to get adjusted, especially if you will be changing time zones. Lelah’s last blog post...Just because it's there doesn't mean you have to read it

By: mom, again

mom, again — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:58:24 +0000

Me too! I’m super aware of staying on top of laundry the week before, packing as things are cleaned. Also, of eating up all the fresh foods/clearing the refrigerator. (The sometimes odd meals we end up with remind me of not-quite-payday meals when my husband was in grad school. Mmmm Tuna salad on crackers with creamed corn on the side, sure it’s a meal!)

Just before leaving, the kitchen is cleaned, dishes done, dishwasher left open to prevent mildew. Clothes washer also left open. Toilets are cleaned and cleaner left in them to prevent molds/mildew. (Not sure how much of these mildew prevents I could skip now that I’m in California, but I grew up in the South in the pre-AC everywhere days. Anything that didn’t get moved around and aired out regularly got mildewed.)

By: Monica (peapodsquadmom)

Monica (peapodsquadmom) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:12:14 +0000

oh yes. i HAVE to clean before going away for any length of time. i cannot stand coming back home to a mess. and...if we're staying somewhere with a washer/dryer, i do all the laundry before coming home so i have clean clothes to unpack and put away. i'm also a paranoid freak who worries that something will happen requiring someone to enter my home while i'm away. i'd hate for them to find a mess. yeah, i need (more) medication. Monica (peapodsquadmom)’s last blog post...The Post That Will Make Some People Mad

By: Mandi

Mandi — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:06:33 +0000

“It’s like we have guests coming…it’s us!!”

I love this, Marci!

By: Melissa S

Melissa S — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:01:44 +0000

Yes – it drives my husband crazy that I can’t leave until certain things are done. Certainly I have to take out the trash as we are leaving and have the dishwasher loaded and turn it on as we leave. It is just nice to come home to most things in place.

By: Marci@OvercomingBusy

Marci@OvercomingBusy — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:58:17 +0000

Who wants to come home from vacation to a dirty house? What a rude awakening!! I mop, vacuum, clean the bathrooms and kitchen, do the laundry… It’s like we have guests coming…it’s us!!

Marci@OvercomingBusy’s last blog post…Photography Book Review and Giveaway!!!!

By: Tessa

Tessa — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:48:22 +0000

I clean, but don’t scrub. Clean laundry, dishes, surfaces, floors. Pick up the toys, take out the trash. I worry about bugs getting at food or dirty dishes. I also REALLY like coming home to clean floors and surfaces, which we promptly fill as we empty the car. It’s definitely nice walking in to a clean house.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:28:10 +0000

Heck yeah!!! Coming home from a trip w/tons of dirty clothes and stuff to put away is just compounded if the house is dirty.

I run the dishes, make sure laundry is clean & away before we go, take out the trash, and straighten up all the crap that is lying around the house.

Doesn’t matter if the floors are swept or vacuumed, as long as there is a semblance of order waiting for us when we get home, I’m happy!!

By: Jeannine B.

Jeannine B. — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:01:06 +0000

I always clean before we leave for vacation! I find it easier to pack to leave if the house is clean and clutter-free. It is also so much less stressful to return home after a long vacation to a clean home!

By: Rana

Rana — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:40:02 +0000

I'm just taking a break from finishing up cleaning. We are heading out for the weekend. I don't like to leave the house a mess while we are gone. I have the dishes done, laundry is washed and rooms are picked up. I have to unpack the night we get home I don't like to leave the suitcases piled up in the hallway. Rana’s last blog post...Wordless Wednesday!