Going on holiday is exciting, but the rush to pack means the house often gets forgotten. A quick holiday cleaning schedule the evening before you leave can prevent unpleasant surprises when you get back, and make returning home feel genuinely restful. None of these housework jobs take long. Most you'll already know to do, but it's easy to skip them when you're focused on getting out the door.
1. Empty all the bins
Start with the bins, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Even small amounts of food waste can smell and attract pests in warm weather. It takes two minutes. Make it the last thing you do before you lock up.
2. Wash your bedding
Coming home after a long journey to fresh, clean bedding makes a real difference. Strip the bed, run a wash, and remake it before you leave. If you have a fabric bed frame or upholstered headboard, a quick vacuum at the same time will freshen up the whole sleeping space.
3. Clear out the fridge
Check expiry dates and use up anything perishable: milk, fruit, vegetables, and leftovers in particular. Food spoils fast in summer, and the smell that greets you when you open the fridge on your return is entirely avoidable. If you're away for more than a week, consider turning the fridge down slightly to save energy too.
4. Water your houseplants
Give plants a thorough watering before you go, or ask someone to check on them while you're away. Move anything delicate away from sunny windowsills to stop them drying out or leaving water marks on wooden furniture. Self-watering spikes are a cheap and effective option if you don't have anyone nearby to help.
5. Finish the washing up and laundry
Damp laundry and dirty dishes both turn quickly. Run a final dishwasher cycle, make sure everything is dry, and put it away. A pile of stale washing waiting for you after a long journey home is not a welcome sight. Far easier to sort before you leave.
6. Draw the curtains and blinds
Closing curtains or blinds before you head off helps keep indoor temperatures down and protects furniture from prolonged sun exposure. Fabrics, wood, and upholstery can all fade with too much direct sunlight. It also keeps the property looking occupied from the outside, which is worth considering if you're away for an extended period.
7. Tidy the main living spaces
Straightening cushions, folding throws, and giving rooms a quick once-over takes ten minutes and makes a noticeable difference to how the house feels when you return. Walking back into a tidy bedroom or living room after time away is more relaxing than coming home to clutter. It also means you're not starting the post-holiday catch-up before you've even unpacked.
8. Clear surfaces and reduce clutter
Bedside tables, hallway surfaces, dining tables: they all accumulate things quickly. Putting items away before you leave means you're not spending the first hour home tidying before you can properly relax. Think of it as setting the scene for the version of home you actually want to come back to.
Build it into your pre-holiday housework schedule
Most of these jobs take under ten minutes each. Done together the evening before you leave, a housework routine like this adds up to less than an hour of your time. That's a fair trade for coming home to a house that feels clean, calm, and ready to settle back into.