After spending time away from home, whether working or relaxing, would you rather come back to a clean or dirty space? There are ways to help keep your home clean while you’re away. Here’s how.

Being Proactive Before Vacation

Between planning and packing for a trip, there’s a lot to prepare before time away. However, a few tasks can help minimize post-vacation cleaning.

1. Declutter. Packing is a great exercise in deciding what clothes you want to keep. While you’re putting outfits together for your trip, consider if you don’t want to wear something while you’re away, is it worth keeping?
2. Organize. While you’re in packing mode, and neatly organizing items in a suitcase, take some time to put things back in their designated place around your home.
3. Clean. Eliminating existing dirt and grime before you leave prevents them from setting and becoming harder to clean later. Run the dishwasher, and even consider emptying your fridge of items that will be spoiled once you return.
4. Empty trash. Prevent odors and pests from lingering while you’re gone by taking out any trash and recycling.
5. Change sheets. Wash bed linens before you leave and return to a fresh, clean bed.

Taking care of these tasks before you leave gives you a few less things to worry about while you’re away and means you can come home to a cleaner space.

Keeping Your Home Clean While You’re Away

Unfortunately, dust doesn’t take a vacation. But there are still some things you can do to maintain a clean home even when you’re not there.

1. Robotic vacuum. Many models are designed to run on a schedule. You can program your device to regularly sweep up common areas.
2. Air purifier. Help trap dust, dander, and odors throughout the day. Smart models can also be scheduled through an app.
3. Smart home features. You can control your lights, thermostat, and monitor your home around the clock with a number of wireless devices.
4. Neighbors. Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to periodically collect mail and check on your house.

You deserve to enjoy time away and not worry about your to-do list. Being proactive and scheduling smart cleaning devices can help maintain the cleanliness of your home so you can return to a fresh space.