Alicia64 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I type a note for the animal sitters. Long note with details. I clean the house because 1) I want it clean for the house sitter and 2) I hate coming home to a mess. I pack of course. Get the kids haircuts (so the pics will looks good). Buy extra items we need like goggles and other stuff. Color my hair (at home). Cook dinner each night -- duh -- and clean as usual every night. Clean fridge so the house sitter doesn't see a gross mess. And on and on the list seems to go. Today I did something unusual and paid $25 to get the car cleaned so the kids and I didn't have to do it after clearing out the clutter. I know it must seem a little like I'm over doing, but returning to a complete mess is depressing. Am I the only one? Anything you've done to maker it easier? Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 No, not overdoing. It's well worth the effort upon coming back. We travel extensively each summer, and our departure protocol involves: clean the house empty, clean, and switch off fridge and freezer (if gone more than 4 weeks to save electricity) remove all food that is not in sealed containers (to prevent bugs) turn A/C thermostat to higher temp (to save electricity) clean all toilets, put bleach into all (to prevent algae/mold growth due to high temps) switch off water (to prevent disaster from burst pipe) power down and unplug all computers (to prevent damage from power surge) empty all trash arrange for mail to be held arrange for cat sitter to come and feed outside cat arrange for lawn care inflate tires on cars left behind ... It gets easier with practice, so you simply have to travel more often (running and ducking). But coming home to a clean undamaged house without bug infestation is well worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I dunno.... it took me three weeks to get ready for a three week trip this spring. I had to go on vacation to recover from prepping for my vacation. I don't like to come home to a messy house either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 No, not overdoing. It's well worth the effort upon coming back. We travel extensively each summer, and our departure protocol involves: clean the house empty, clean, and switch off fridge and freezer (if gone more than 4 weeks to save electricity) remove all food that is not in sealed containers (to prevent bugs) turn A/C thermostat to higher temp (to save electricity) clean all toilets, put bleach into all (to prevent algae/mold growth due to high temps) switch off water (to prevent disaster from burst pipe) power down and unplug all computers (to prevent damage from power surge) empty all trash arrange for mail to be held arrange for cat sitter to come and feed outside cat arrange for lawn care inflate tires on cars left behind ... It gets better with practice :-) But coming home to a clean undamaged house without bug infestation is well worth it. The sad thing is that we travel enough that I should have this down by now. But every time I do it I think, "Man, this is a lot of work." Thankfully this trip is one I really, really want. But sometimes we're only going to an amusement park or something and then I'm not so thrilled with it all. Thanks for making me feel normal. Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 I dunno.... it took me three weeks to get ready for a three week trip this spring. I had to go on vacation to recover from prepping for my vacation. I don't like to come home to a messy house either. :lol: :lol: :lol: I will keep your comment close to my heart. Three weeks prep for a three week vacay. Sheesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 No, it's not too much. It's just the nature of the beast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 It depends upon the length of the trip. For a day trip (or one/two overnights) I could be ready to go in 30 minutes... maybe less. For a week or two or even a month or so it only takes us an evening or two to prepare. We shut off hot water (we have to leave water on so our caretakers can have water for our critters). We make sure we don't leave dirty dishes or opened food/drinks in the fridge or elsewhere (our chickens sometimes get a feast!). We pack. I water plants. I have a pre-written note I use for critter care and it's generally more of a formality as our caretakers are quite familiar with our place. There's no special cleaning we do otherwise - perhaps mow the lawn (pending season). I do make sure there's enough critter food of various sorts. We love travel and travel often, so maybe we're just so used to it all that it's not a big deal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Oh, well before the trip I do make a "To take" list so things like passports (if needed) don't get forgotten! By making this list early and adding to it as we think of things, packing goes really quickly. I also make a "To do" list - and again - as things are done, they get crossed off, but this way, nothing gets forgotten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 It is important to leave the house, fridge, etc., spotless in case I die while we are gone. I can't have the investigators walk in and think I was a lousy housekeeper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 It is important to leave the house, fridge, etc., spotless in case I die while we are gone. I can't have the investigators walk in and think I was a lousy housekeeper. :hurray: :lol: :hurray: :lol: :hurray: :lol: Thank you for the LOL! Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SemiSweet Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 It depends how long I'll be gone, but I truly hate coming home to a nasty house, so I'll do whatever it takes to ensure it looks good before we leave. That way when I get home I don't have additionally stuff to deal with on top of unpacking and kids and dinner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 It is important to leave the house, fridge, etc., spotless in case I die while we are gone. I can't have the investigators walk in and think I was a lousy housekeeper. We're of the belief that if we die we don't really give a hoot what others might think - and if my family were to dwell on anything left undone...well... we weren't as close as I thought as they see our house "as is" when they visit anyway! My mom goes with us on some of our trips and we always leave from our house. And if we don't die but just get delayed... anyone is welcome to clean. So far our caretakers haven't felt that need... nor have they complained... nor have they turned down the "I'll watch your place if you watch ours when we travel" bargain we made years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcat Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 It is important to leave the house, fridge, etc., spotless in case I die while we are gone. I can't have the investigators walk in and think I was a lousy housekeeper. Thanks for making me feel less alone in this paranoia. I clean before vacation for the exact same reason! Sure, it's nice to come back to a clean house, but I would be mortified beyond belief if someone had to enter my house if I wound up in the hospital or died (yes, I would be mortified from beyond the grave..LOL). I remember as a kid fussing about why I had to make my bed every day and my mom replied that if someone broke into the house and saw my unmade bed, they would think I was a slob. :confused1: I think I know where I got my clean-the-house-before-vacation issues from. :lol: In defense of my mother, she swears she has no memory of saying such a thing! :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 I really can't imagine getting upset at someone else seeing my house in its normal state - a bit untidy; some dust in the corners; toilets clean; probably some crumbs in the kitchen. We don't have many bug problems here, so that's not an issue. I'm going away on Friday, and hope to leave the house in a liveable condition, but nothing more. I'll clear perishables out of the fridge, empty the rubbish bins and throw away the cut flowers. We don't have A/C, so that's not an issue - I'll switch off the hot water system. There will be workmen in the house whilst I am gone, so my one concession to being presentable is making my bed, as they will be working in the bathroom attached to my bedroom. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Workmen in the house while you're gone? I don't even trust them when I'm home. Seems like every time someone comes over they use one of our belongings as a dirty rag or do something else equally gross. :glare: They installed our boiler for us and put in our new kitchen. I'm comfortable with their being here. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camelfeet Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Yeah, it is annoying and stressful. I do all of those things, except DH is responsible for cleaning the car. I don't stress if I am going away only for a few days, but when I am leaving for weeks... What I do is schedule a 2 man cleaning team to come in and scrub down my apt for 2-3 hours the day after I get back. I stress less about scrubbing the house down before my vacation. I mean, I make sure everything is broom swept, all garbage is taken out, food tossed or eaten and things are generally "tidy". But I don't scrub anything before I leave, because it is just going to become covered in cat hair by the time I return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hikin' Mama Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 I am the same way. Coming home to a dirty house depresses me. And for some reason, I always come up with a list of things that MUST be done before we leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 I really can't imagine getting upset at someone else seeing my house in its normal state - a bit untidy; some dust in the corners; toilets clean; probably some crumbs in the kitchen. We don't have many bug problems here, so that's not an issue. I'm going away on Friday, and hope to leave the house in a liveable condition, but nothing more. I'll clear perishables out of the fridge, empty the rubbish bins and throw away the cut flowers. We don't have A/C, so that's not an issue - I'll switch off the hot water system. There will be workmen in the house whilst I am gone, so my one concession to being presentable is making my bed, as they will be working in the bathroom attached to my bedroom. L We're definitely the same with this. Last year when we were gone we had our water pipes replaced. It's so much easier to have these things done when we're not home and we've never had an issue of things missing or awry. We do have our beds made before we travel - usually. ;) They hardly look ready for a magazine cover though and I'm ok with that! I'm still debating whether we'll leave in a month or two when we have our ceiling/walls fixed and repainted or not. A good part will depend on whether we opt to do the repainting or opt to have it done for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 You are definitely not alone! I do this too. I try to make it through my to-do list so I come home to a clean slate. One more thing to add - FLUSH all toilets!!! My boys forgot and left a gift in their bathroom before one trip. The stench we returned home to was unbelievable!!!! I'm insane and I also try to freeze few meals before we leave. So, when we come home I'll have a couple days before I have to grocery shop. But yes. I clean my house (vacuum, mop, pick up, clean bathrooms, etc), turn down heat (seasonal), turn down hot water heater, turn off the water, take out trash, finish out my to-do list, make room for more pictures on my phone, haircuts, car cleaning, mow lawn, make a couple freezer meals, shop for simple breakfast/lunch stuff (again so I don't have to shop when I come home), etc, etc, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted August 20, 2014 Author Share Posted August 20, 2014 It is important to leave the house, fridge, etc., spotless in case I die while we are gone. I can't have the investigators walk in and think I was a lousy housekeeper. Plansrme! I am so sorry! Others responded to your comment seriously. I thought you were kidding. My bad. In all seriousness, if the worst were to happen friends and family would be in such shock that nobody would care about a well lived in home. And that's how I think of homes that aren't perfectly "Pottery Barn." People live there. I was at a friend's on the spur of the moment the other day. Her hamster cage needed cleaning -- sort of, it wasn't bad. The kids had been doing art projects. There was laundry on the kitchen floor near the washer/dryer. It looked like a happy, lived in home. I am so sorry. I totally thought you were joking!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who cleans like a fiend when I leave. Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Plansrme! I am so sorry! Others responded to your comment seriously. I thought you were kidding. My bad. In all seriousness, if the worst were to happen friends and family would be in such shock that nobody would care about a well lived in home. And that's how I think of homes that aren't perfectly "Pottery Barn." People live there. I was at a friend's on the spur of the moment the other day. Her hamster cage needed cleaning -- sort of, it wasn't bad. The kids had been doing art projects. There was laundry on the kitchen floor near the washer/dryer. It looked like a happy, lived in home. I am so sorry. I totally thought you were joking!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who cleans like a fiend when I leave. Alley You were correct--I was joking. But a joke is only funny if there is a little kernel of truth to it, right??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 I always clean (house, car and yard) before I leave as well, the longer the trip the more to prepare. Generally the house is kept in pretty good order all the time so it is not a HUGE deal but it still takes time, especially with planning and packing with a family of 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted August 20, 2014 Author Share Posted August 20, 2014 THANKS EVERYONE!!! Okay, so we've established that most of us do this! Have you found ways to make it easier? I can only enlist dh so much. He thinks I'm a little nuts for cleaning so much so tends to not go along with it. But he does run errands so there's that. And my boys can be helpful too, but the load of work still falls on me. I finally made a nice list last night -- I don't know why I've fought making a list, but I have. (One year I did it I lost the list and just got angry!) Anyway, I made a solid list last night and am following it. I kind of wish I'd hired a cleaning lady to come on our last day at home. We generally don't have the $$ for that. Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyontheFarm Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 It is important to leave the house, fridge, etc., spotless in case I die while we are gone. I can't have the investigators walk in and think I was a lousy housekeeper. I do this too! However, after teaching CSI class at co-op, I'm thinking the investigators would start wondering if the house was too clean, also! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 I make sure the kitchen and bathrooms are clean and the trash is taken out, but otherwise I don't worry about it. The person who usually house sits for me is a close friend who knows what my house normally looks like anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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