Planning to leave your apartment for a few weeks or even a month? That sounds exciting. But coming back to a smelly home, moldy toilets, or a freezer full of spoiled food can quickly ruin the fun.
Luckily, many people have shared smart and simple ways to avoid these problems. If you prepare your home the right way, you can enjoy your trip without worry and return to a clean and peaceful place.
Here is an easy-to-follow guide filled with tips to help you leave your apartment safely and come back stress free.
Contents
- 1 Freeze a Coin in a Cup. It Can Save Your Food
- 2 Stop the Bad Water Smells and Mold
- 3 Unplug Things You Don’t Need But Leave What You Do
- 4 Turn Off the Water to Stay Safe
- 5 Keep Your Place Cool and Dry
- 6 Handle Mail, Bills, and Deliveries
- 7 Clean Before You Leave. You’ll Thank Yourself Later
- 8 Make Sure You Locked the Door. Then Stop Worrying
- 9 Keep Bugs and Spiders Away
- 10 Let Someone Know You’re Away
- 11 Other Smart Ideas to Keep in Mind
- 12 Final Checklist Before You Leave
- 13 Conclusion
Freeze a Coin in a Cup. It Can Save Your Food
Before leaving, take a cup of water and freeze it. Once it’s frozen, place a coin on top of the ice. When you return, check the coin.
If it is still on top, your freezer stayed cold. If it sank to the bottom, the power went out long enough for everything to thaw. In that case, it is safer to throw the food away.
To keep your fridge and freezer cold longer, fill empty spaces with water bottles. They hold the cold better and slow down warming during power cuts.
If you are not storing anything inside, unplug the fridge and leave the door slightly open to prevent bad smells.
Stop the Bad Water Smells and Mold
Many people return home to black water, sewer smells, or even mold in the toilet. These simple steps can prevent that.
Run water in all sinks and showers before leaving. This fills the P-traps and blocks sewer gases.
Add a little bleach or vinegar in the drains and toilets to stop mold and bugs.
Flush the toilets and leave the lids up to reduce trapped moisture.
Unplug your toilet’s water line if you are very cautious and add a bit of bleach to the bowl.
Also avoid using the water immediately when you return. Let it run for a minute first.
Unplug Things You Don’t Need But Leave What You Do
Unplug TVs, coffee machines, lamps, and chargers to save electricity and avoid fire risks.
Keep your fridge and Wi-Fi connected if you are using a camera, thermostat, or smart lock.
Do not turn off your AC completely. Instead, raise the temperature so it keeps humidity under control and stops mold from growing.
Turn Off the Water to Stay Safe
A leak while you are away can destroy floors, walls, and cost a lot of money. Turn off the main water valve before you leave.
If that is not possible, at least shut off water to the washing machine and dish washer. Also turn off the ice maker in your fridge.
Keep Your Place Cool and Dry
If you live in a hot or humid area, mold and moisture can become a big problem while you’re gone.
Set your AC to about 70°F to 80°F = 21°C to 27°C. This keeps the place cool without wasting power.
Clean the AC filter before leaving and make sure all windows and doors are shut properly.
In dry areas, some people leave a window slightly open for airflow, but only do this if you are 100 percent sure your home is secure.
Handle Mail, Bills, and Deliveries
A mailbox full of letters or packages is a clear sign that no one is home. Ask the post office to hold your mail or have someone pick it up for you.
Make sure all bills are on auto pay or paid in advance. Some people have returned to late fees and cut-off services just because they forgot.
If you are expecting deliveries, cancel or reschedule them.
Clean Before You Leave. You’ll Thank Yourself Later
Take out all the trash, clean the fridge, and run a cleaning cycle on your dishwasher and washing machine.
Leave baking soda in the fridge to absorb any leftover smells.
Change the bed sheets or strip the bed completely so dust does not collect.
You can also leave a non-electric air freshener so your home smells nice when you return.
Make Sure You Locked the Door. Then Stop Worrying
Many people stress about whether they really locked the door or turned off the stove.
One simple trick is to speak out loud. Say something like “The stove is off” or “The door is locked” as you do it. It helps your brain remember.
Another idea is to take a quick video of yourself doing a final check. That way, you will not second guess later.
Keep Bugs and Spiders Away
Pour some bleach or vinegar down the sink and bathroom drains. This keeps smells and bugs out.
If you know your area has insect problems, you can also use bug spray or traps before leaving.
Cover drains with stoppers or lids if possible. Some even use borax powder or leave glue traps in corners.
Let Someone Know You’re Away
Even with all these tips, it is always good to let someone know you are away.
You can give a spare key to a neighbor, friend, or your building manager in case of emergency.
Some people use a smart lock or lockbox to give safe access without handing over a key.
Ask someone you trust to check your home once a week. Some insurance plans require this for coverage.
Other Smart Ideas to Keep in Mind
Set a few lights on timers so it looks like someone is home.
If you have smart plugs, use them to control lights or fans remotely.
Leave a pair of shoes by the door to make it look lived-in.
Install a camera or smart doorbell so you can check in anytime.
Avoid sharing your travel plans online until you are back. Even friends can accidentally let the wrong person know you are gone.
Final Checklist Before You Leave
Here is a quick list you can follow before heading out
- Mail is paused
- Trash is out
- Toilets flushed with bleach
- Drains treated
- Fridge cleaned or unplugged
- Appliances unplugged
- Water is shut off
- AC set to 78 or 80
- Windows and doors are locked
- Someone has a key
- Smart devices are working
- Security camera is on
Conclusion
Leaving your apartment for a long time does not have to be stressful. With just a little effort, you can avoid major problems and enjoy your trip with peace of mind.
Use these smart tips to protect your space while you are away and come home to exactly what you left behind. A clean, safe, fresh apartment that is ready to welcome you back.