Cleaning Before a Vacation

**AmyBoz** · 08-07-2005, 10:04 AM

We'll be leaving on our summer vacation for a week at the Jersey Shore next Saturday. I think the worst thing about a vacation is coming home to a messy house when it's over. I'm thinking about spending a bit of time after work each day this week really cleaning the house from top to bottom so that when we get home, I'm not instantly depressed.

Does anyone else do this?

**gkp1031** · 08-07-2005, 11:09 AM

I always clean before vacation, I can't stand coming home to a dirty house! I always make sure the dusting, vacuuming, dishes and laundry are done before we leave. It's much easier to come home to a clean house! Enjoy your vacation Amy!

**Kimberlina** · 08-07-2005, 11:48 AM

I clean before vacation- can' stand to leave a nice, clean vacation rental to come home to a dirty house. Coming home is bitter-sweet enough without the house being a mess.

Where are you vacationing? We LOVE the Jersey shore!

bg · 08-07-2005, 12:05 PM

I also clean before going on vacation. We normally stay at Bed & Breakfasts and coming back to a clean home makes the transition from vacation to regular life a bit easier.

**AmyBoz** · 08-07-2005, 05:40 PM

Kimberly, we go to Ortley Beach...it's near Seaside Heights. It's where dh's family has gone since he was a kid. We love it.

**waterlover** · 08-07-2005, 10:16 PM

I clean before I go on vacation. This time I'll be having the carpets cleaned a couple days prior to leaving. I love it when I come home and the house is clean. All I have to do is unpack, open the windows and go get take out food

Have a nice time Amy!

**PrairieRose** · 08-08-2005, 08:42 PM

I do it too Amy. It's always a bit frantic, getting it all "just so" before walking out the door but I enjoy my vacation tons more knowing that I'm going home to a neat and clean house. It's a little welcome home present I give myself.

Enjoy your vacation Amy.

**Daisy June** · 08-11-2005, 04:03 PM

I do this too. DH thinks I'm obsessive, but I can't help it. Coming home is so difficult, travel-wise. Getting home to a messy pit just makes me come unglued! A clean house is my welcome home present, too.

Plus, if someone is house/pet-sitting, they are not in for a shock either!

**daddys3chicks** · 08-11-2005, 05:55 PM

I do this because my Mom always did. I do it because I hate coming home to a disaster area and have to do laundry and everything in a mess.

My Mom does it because she doesn't want someone to see her house messy if she dies while she is gone and someone has to come into the house to settle things. We call this "death cleaning."

**Michelle** · 08-11-2005, 06:38 PM

Absolutely. I hate coming home to a messy house. It's depressing enough when vacation is over, let alone coming home to a messy house too!

**britbunny** · 08-12-2005, 08:13 AM

We're doing this right now!

We're not going away anywhere but DH is on holiday from work next week. He can't relax if he thinks there's something to be done. I have just put the final load of laundry in - he can wear anything out of his wardrobe!

All the dishes are done - which is a novelty in this house, it's my least favourite chore.

The windows have been cleaned.

I've dysonned all through.

Our bedroom is very very tidy

So, now all I have to do is wait until he gets home to see what I've missed!

Enjoy your time away!

**KKCondrey** · 08-12-2005, 08:37 AM

I try to do it. If I know we will be going somewhere I would rather have the house clean and laundry done before I leave then have to do it when I get home. I also try to use food/pantry items on hand and then wait and go to the store when I get home. Instead of buying things before I leave and have to worry about them going bad while we are away.

**Jerseygirl** · 08-19-2005, 06:45 PM

I always do. I also strip the beds, spray them down with Lysol, Febreze the couches, etc. I figure this is the only time the furniture can really breath for a few days too.

**KimSecret** · 08-19-2005, 08:26 PM

Im right along with the rest of you! Its bad enough to come home knowing you have to unpack & do a lot of laundry, but if the house is a wreck, its just so much worse.
Have a fun & safe vacation!