If you’re planning to take a vacation, then you already know that this requires careful planning.

Between booking flights, hotels, and mapping out the places that you want to see, there are a lot of things that you need to do to create a great vacation plan. Not to mention that you need a sturdy suitcase from trusted luggage brands and manufacturers.

Hence, make sure that everything is the way it should be when you leave. So that when you’re away, you don’t have to think so much about home and what you’ve left behind.

Here are seven kitchen safety preparations before you leave for a long vacation:

1. Wash the dirty dishes

Forgetting to wash the dishes and the specks of food that you left on it can quickly turn into a major biology experiment once you return from your trip.

It’s understandable that you might miss washing a dish or two especially if you’re in a hurry to the airport. However, it’s important to wash all the dirty dishes.

The last thing that you want to happen to you is coming from your vacation all happy and inspired, only to arrive at a kitchen that smells like a dumpster. Hence, we always tell our clients at Planet Maids Cleaning Services NYC to wash all dirty dishes before you plan on leaving for your upcoming trip.

2. Check the fridge

Before you leave, either use up or throw away perishable items in your fridge. Other perishable items might last fine, but to be on the safe side check the expiration date of your eggs, butter, and yogurt.

Days prior to your vacation, start to eat up the leftovers you’ve stored in your fridge, instead of buying takeout food. In relation to this, cooked leftovers tend to last up to four days, and should be thrown away if you’re unable to consume it by then.

Also, clean the shelves and drawers of your fridge and open a box of baking soda inside it to absorb any kind of smell or odors.

Check if there are any open unperishable goods. Just because non-perishable foods don’t spoil the way fresh food items do, it doesn’t mean you should neglect their storage.

Store and seal them properly. That way, they won’t get stale.

3. Take out the garbage

Taking out the trash should be part of your kitchen cleaning routine. After you clean the fridge, it’s also worth mentioning that you should also take out the garbage before you leave.

If you don’t, then you might risk coming back to a home filled with rancid odors and pests galore. There’s nothing worse than coming to a smelly kitchen after your trip!

4. Unplug your electronics

Why do you have to pay for your electricity if you’re not using it? Even your phone or electricity can suck up power if not in use.

So, unplug your toaster or coffee maker. Doing so not only helps you save on your energy bill, but it also lowers any risk of an electrical fire. You can also check for your smoke detectors and see that they are all working with fresh batteries.

Moreover, it’s also mentally freeing in your part knowing that when you leave, only necessary items stay plugged in.

5. Wash your sink

Wash your sink to flush out any food wastes that could be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria.

That said, flush out the pipe with running water for about 30 seconds. Furthermore, run the disposer with half a cup of vinegar and put some water on it before leaving.

6. Wipe countertops

The thing is, while you’re away, especially if it’s during the summer and the air conditioning is off, germs and odors could easily proliferate your kitchen.

So, find the time to wipe the countertops before leaving.

7. Clean your garbage disposal

Cleaning your disposal is also in line with keeping your kitchen clean. It’s so vital that it deserves its own special mention.

Sometimes, we tend to forget what we cannot see like eggshells or fruit peels that aren’t flushed away or cleaned properly.

Do you know which will eventually find them? Ants and flies. Not to mention you’ll come back to a foul-smelling home.

So, before heading out the door, make sure that you wash your garbage disposal with water and white vinegar, then let it run for a minute or so.

8. Tidy Up

Getting ready to leave your home before your trip can be stressful. Apart from packing, there are lots of things that you need to get sorted, such as tidying up.

But believe us. Taking the time to tidy things up before you leave will be worth it in the end, especially if you come to a clean, clutter-free, and fresh-smelling home.

Conclusion

Ideally, all vacations should be fun and relaxing. The last thing that you want to happen is to come back to a smelly house with a fridge filled with rotting food after a long day of traveling.

So by following the tips we’ve mentioned above, you’ll remain relaxed after coming home from your trip and settle back with ease once you return.