There’s nothing worse than coming home from a winter vacation with the holiday blues, only to be met with a long list of chores you didn’t get done at home before you left.
This snowy season, prepare your home for a cozy winter vacation return with these quick and easy home preparation tips.
1. Do a Spring Clean
Yes, it’s winter, but a spring clean does wonders any time of year. You don’t need to deep clean your entire home, but get each room clean and tidy, so you don’t have any cleaning to do upon your return.
- Mop hard floors and vacuum carpets.
- Dust surfaces.
- Wash windows.
- Declutter and take the trash out.
- Scrub the sinks and toilets.
- Make sure the laundry isn’t piling up.
To make your home feel extra cozy, wash a couple of large throws and lay them out on the sofa, ready to jump straight into when you arrive.
2. Clean Out the Refrigerator
Now is the time to get rid of any expired or unused food that’s sat in your fridge. Anything that will expire while you’re away will be a moldy mess by the time you return, so throw out everything you won’t use and give your refrigerator a good scrub.
We all crave treats after a lot of traveling, so add some non-perishable snacks and drinks to your fridge, ready for your return.
3. Program Your Thermostat
You won’t need your heating on while you’re away, but there’s nothing worse than arriving home to a cold house. If you have a smart thermostat, set it to turn on a couple of hours before you’re due to arrive home to warm up your house and get rid of those musty odors that can linger when no one has been home in a while.
“If you don’t already have a smart thermostat, they’re a great investment for your home. Not only do they allow you to remotely control your home’s temperature while you’re away on vacation, but they can also add value for resale.” – Adrian Pedraza from The California Home Buyer
4. Add Fresh, Fluffy Bedding
After a long trip, you’ll want a good night’s sleep. Just before you leave, swap out your bedding for fresh, fluffy linens and add a couple of extra fluffy pillows to create a cozy, welcoming bed for you to sink into.
Don’t forget to launder your old bedding before you leave so you don’t arrive home to a hamper full of laundry!
5. Put Our Warm, Dry Bath Towels
No one wants to arrive home to damp, used bath towels. Wash all the towels that are currently in use and make sure they’re all dry and fluffy, ready for your return.
To add a cozy touch of luxury, get some extra large bath sheets. They make you feel like you’re in a spa and keep you extra warm in the cold winter months.
6. Water Your House Plants
If you’re not going away for long, you should be able to give your plants one final water to keep them happy while you’re away. If you are away for more than a couple of weeks, you might need to get a friend or neighbor to stop by and water your plants.
Coming home to thriving, bushy plants is a great feeling and gives your home a sense of warmth and peace. Dead plants will only make your holiday blues even worse!
7. Winterize Your Pool
You probably won’t use your pool during the cold months, but it’s still important to get it prepped for the freeze and ready for the summer. Before you go away, get your pool maintenance team out to drain the filters and pipes and winterize your pool to keep it safe and damage-free.
“Add Calcium Hypochlorite to boost the chlorine levels to get rid of any algae, and use a heavy-duty pool cover to keep it protected during the winter season. Don’t forget to switch off your electricity supply before you go away as an extra precaution.” – John Parker from Easy Pool Cleaning
8. Freeze Some Delicious Meals
Cook up some of your favorite meals and add them to the freezer. You can then warm them up and have a home-cooked meal with almost zero effort on your return day. The lovely smell of your favorite food warming will also help bring your home back to life.
Don’t feel like cooking before you travel? You could also order your favorite take out on the journey home so you have hot, tasty food at your door when you get home.
9. Plan a Photo Slideshow Night
You’ll always feel a little sad to come home from a vacation, so why not plan a cozy photo night to relive some of your favorite holiday memories?
Grab your fluffy throws, make some hot cocoa, and play a slideshow of all your vacation photos on your TV. Whether you went on a romantic getaway for two or a dream family holiday, this is a great way to connect and make arriving home a little less blue.
A Warm, Welcoming Return From Your Winter Vacation
And there you have it! By putting in the work before your vacation to prepare your house, you’ll be able to come home to a clean, warm home with fluffy blankets and your favorite food waiting for you. And after all that traveling, you’ll be glad all your chores were done beforehand.