11 Home Tasks You Should Do Before You Go on Vacation

When your toes are in the sand or your feet are up in a hammock, the last thing you want to think about is whether you remembered to turn off the AC or water the plants. Getting your packing list right is a must prior to heading out the door, but so is acing your home checklist.

The rushed chaos that comes before you hop in the car or on the plane is kind of inevitable (there’s a lot to think about!) but at the very least, you can put your mind at ease when it comes to home-related chores with a thorough list. While it won’t be the end of the world if you don’t organize the pantry or finish folding clothes before you go, other tasks are musts, like unplugging appliances and setting appropriate timers.

So before you switch on vacation brain, this list of 11 quick jobs will make sure you won’t stress while on your trip or come home to an unexpected (but preventable) mishap.