Going On Holidays? How To Prepare Your Home Before You Go

With many of us jetting off for a much-needed summer vacation this time of year, it’s easy to become caught up in the holiday planning. Whether you’re in charge of putting together a daily itinerary, organising transportation, or simply scouting out the best brunch spots, there’s lots to do before travelling to another destination. Still, it can all seem worth it when you’re sightseeing, tasting the best food, and experiencing everything that place has to offer. However, what many of us won’t think of before we embark on our adventures, though, is how we can prepare our homes for our absence. In this latest EZ Living Furniture blog, we’ve compiled a list of things you can do to prepare your home before you leave, allowing you to enjoy your break away even more! Keep reading below to discover them all!

Do A Sink Cleanse

If you’re someone who leaves dirty dishes piling up in the sink, first off, shame on you. Secondly, you’ll need to tackle this task before you hop on that plane, jump on that boat, or get comfy in that car; otherwise, you’ll likely return to a mould-infested mountain of dinnerware. Take a few minutes to wash up by hand or if you’re someone with a dishwasher, get it filled and switched on in plenty of time so that it can be emptied before you rush out that door!

Sweep That Fridge (No, Not Literally)

Take a visual sweep through the fridge and take note of expiration dates and already-opened food. Everything still packaged but will expire while you’re away can be given to a nearby family member or friendly neighbour. Everything else needs to be eaten... how does a sweetcorn, tomato-sauce-filled sandwich sound? Polished off with a glass of milk?

Consider A No Junk Mail Sign

One sure-fire way to let the whole street know you’re away is by letting leaflets pile up in your letterbox. A temporary or permanent No Junk Mail Sign should be attached to your letterbox to ensure that you don’t receive any unaddressed post. Another alternative? Enlist the help of a family member or neighbour to check in on the place every day to collect them and water the plants etc?

House Sitters For The Win

Speaking of enlisting the help of others....consider a house sitter, especially if you have pets at home. This person can help to keep the feeding and bedtime schedule of your pets, keep them socialised while you’re away, and take care of those other tedious jobs you might have forgotten to do (did you really turn off that straightener?).

Don’t Close Those Curtains 

We know this is a big ask, but try to resist the urge. Closed curtains during the day can signal you’re away, but open ones may expose more valuables. A good alternative is to leave them partially open or invest in sheer ones that disrupt the visibility from the outside.

Adjust Your Thermostat & For The Love Of God Turn Off That Immersion

Don’t waste money heating a house or apartment when you’re away; instead, turn it down or switch it off completely. We would advise you to turn it down as switching it off completely could mean you now have to spend a lot of money trying to get your home back up to temperature when you arrive home. Similarly, the immersion will need to be switched off or set to a timer for when you’re back. Whatever you do, don’t accidentally leave it on constant – or expect the feel the wrath of a thousand Irish mammies and daddies (even if you don’t live at home – they'll just appear, we don’t make the rules).

Clean The House & Wash Those Bed Sheets

Now’s the perfect time to tend to those jobs you’ve been meaning to get to for weeks. You know the ones? Tackling the bedroom and living room by washing the bed sheets, freshening up your sofa cushions, and removing pet hair from your armchair with a lint roller. There’s no nicer feeling than coming home to a fresh-smelling home and crisp sheets. Don’t forget to take out your trusty hoover to give the floors a once-over too! A total refresh is exactly what is needed and can make coming home feel like a nice experience rather than a depressing, dreaded one.

Don’t Leave Wet Clothes Or Linens In The Washing Machine 

Fairly self-explanatory, but you wouldn’t want to return home to foul-smelling clothes and have to wash everything again now, would you?

Consider A Timer For Lights

Light switches that can be accessed remotely by you from your location are recommended for turning on and off internal and external lights. Not only is this a valuable feature for keeping your home safe, but it also ensures good visibility for others whom you might have enlisted to check up on your home while you were away.

Take Out The Bins

This is something you simply mustn’t forget – or you can expect your nose to experience a smell like no other on your return.

Secure Your Garden Furniture 

With strong winds and thundery conditions, a regular occurrence, it’s important to think about your belongings outside too. Before you depart, it’s important to secure your garden table and chairs – for a quick solution, tie or stack all your furniture together (the chairs from our cube sets fit neatly under the table). You can also try moving the furniture next to a wall to shelter it from the wind or simply covering it and storing it in an outside shed.

Finally – Check All Windows & Door locks

Last but not least – check to make sure all of your locks are working properly. Check all doors and windows, and if you need to, check again! 

Now that your home is prepped for your departure, you can start that packing you’ve been putting off!

Interesting Read: 5 Best Pet-Friendly Sofas For You & Your Furry Friend To Snuggle Up On

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