Getting Your Home Ready Before Vacation with Fly Lady
The Fly Lady method helps prepare your home before vacation with minimal stress: quick cleaning in under an hour, freshness maintenance tips, and a welcome zone for easy return. A simple checklist ensures nothing is forgotten, so you can relax fully and come back to a clean, inviting space.
Create Your Pre-Vacation Checklist
The Fly Lady method isn't just about cleaning before you leave—it's about creating a system that works for you every time. In the LadyFly app, you can build a personalized task list that takes into account the unique features of your home and lifestyle.
Start with a basic list and adapt it to your needs. Some people leave for a weekend, others for a month—the tasks will be different. The key is to write down all the actions so you don't miss anything in the pre-vacation rush. This reduces anxiety and frees your mind for pleasant thoughts about your upcoming vacation.
Quick Cleaning the Day Before Departure
Don't try to do a deep clean—that's a path to burnout even before your vacation begins. Fly Lady teaches us to work with a timer and focus on visible zones.
Your action plan:
- Gather all scattered items and return them to their places (15 minutes)
- Walk through all rooms with a trash bag (10 minutes)
- Wipe dust from visible surfaces (10 minutes)
- Quickly vacuum the main areas (15 minutes)
- Tidy up the entryway so your return will be pleasant (5 minutes)
Just one hour of work—and your home already looks completely different. Don't strive for perfection, strive for a sense of calm when you return.
Keep Your Home Fresh
One of the most unpleasant moments after vacation is the stale smell in a closed-up house. A few simple actions will help you avoid this.
What you need to do:
- Take out absolutely all trash, including the contents of all bins
- Check the refrigerator for perishable foods
- Drain water from the kettle and coffee maker
- Leave bathroom cabinet doors slightly open for air circulation
- Place a lemon wedge or lavender sachet in the kitchen
These little touches create an atmosphere you'll want to return to. In LadyFly, you can set reminders for each item so you don't forget anything in the rush.
Prepare a Welcome Zone for Your Return
This step is often overlooked, but it makes the first hours at home truly comfortable. Imagine yourself tired after traveling—what would make your return easier?
Prepare in advance:
- Clean towels in a visible place in the bathroom
- Fresh bed linens on the bed
- A spot for your suitcase so you don't have to put it on the floor
- Basic items for your first breakfast (tea, coffee, something non-perishable)
- A notepad and pen on the table for jotting down first thoughts and plans
The Fly Lady system calls this "blessing your home." You're taking care of your future self, and that's incredibly valuable.
Final Check Before Leaving
The last minutes before departure are always exciting. To avoid forgetting something important, go through a short safety and comfort checklist.
Quick check:
- All windows closed, but a vent window slightly open for ventilation
- Electrical appliances unplugged from outlets
- Faucets checked, no water dripping anywhere
- Plants watered (or ask someone to take care of them)
- A pleasant note left in a visible place for yourself: "Welcome home!"
This ritual takes five minutes but gives you peace of mind for the entire vacation. You'll know that everything at home is in order, and you can truly relax. And when you return, your home will greet you with cleanliness and warmth—just as it should be after a vacation.
