14 Things Smart Travelers Do Right After They Get Home from Vacation

There are plenty of to-do lists and packing tips available to help people prepare before leaving on vacation. But what about when you come back? Sure, there are obvious tasks like unpacking, doing laundry, and stocking up on groceries, but there are many more that are less apparent. Before returning to your regular daily routine, tackle these simple tasks as soon as you get home to feel refreshed and organized.

1. Unpack Your Bags

Unpacking can feel like the last thing you want to do after taking a long flight or being on a several-hour car ride. However, the sooner you unpack, the easier it will be to return to your everyday life. Take out the dirty laundry and throw it straight into the washer. Put toiletries back in their designated place and place souvenirs in their new homes. In about 30 minutes, you can have an empty suitcase and be ready for the next day. 

2. Clean Your Luggage

If throwing luggage into a storage closet is the first thing that comes to mind after unpacking, think again. That bag has been under planes, in the back of cars, and strewn on hotel room floors. To ensure you don’t bring home germs and pests, don’t forget actually to clean your bags. If washable, put them in the machine. If hardsided, use an antibacterial wipe to cleanse handles and exterior plastics. If possible, remove the inner lining to handwash and hang dry. Add a touch of lavender essential oil before storing the luggage for your next trip.

3. Do a Load of Laundry

Chances are, you’ve brought home a bag full of dirty laundry. Even if you’ve bought new clothes, they should be washed before being worn. So, do a load of laundry as soon as you unpack to have fresh clothes ready to wear. Add any linens or towels you brought back from vacation, too.

4. Change the Bed Linens

If your bedsheets have been sitting for over a week, now’s a good time to change them out for a clean set. Indoor dust and dirt can make even clean sheets feel a bit dingy. Reset with freshly cleaned linens for a good night’s sleep.

5. Clean Out the Fridge

Chances are, you have some perishable food items in the fridge that need to be tossed. Whether facing long-forgotten leftovers or recently expired food items, cleaning out your refrigerator is an ideal post-vacation task. Check labels and take stock. Wipe down any spills on shelves or drawers.

6. Go Grocery Shopping

As soon as you finish thinning out the items in the fridge, stock up on fresh grocery items you’ll need for the week ahead. Shop for fresh produce, vegetables, dairy products, seafood, and meats to set you up for success. Buy groceries sooner rather than later to avoid ordering several takeout meals in a row.

7. Restock Essentials

You might have run out of everyday essentials while on vacation. Perhaps you used up all the toilet paper or dishwashing liquid before leaving and didn’t have a chance to replenish it before going away. So, stock up on toiletry items like toothpaste, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, and shaving cream. Don’t forget to refill medications that have run out as well.

8. Check the Mail

If you've been away for an extended period, a stack of envelopes and junk mail awaits your return. Sort through any packages, mailboxes, or post office boxes. Pay bills, read notices, and shred any unused offers with your private identity information.

9. Read Your Bank Statement

Let’s face it, vacation spending can be hectic. Ensure that you weren’t double-charged and that all charges on your card are legitimate. To stay on budget, go through your transactions and address any charges you don’t recognize. Exchange any leftover foreign currency or put it away as a keepsake.

10. Vacuum the House

After being away from home for a while, it’s likely your house will need a quick cleaning. Give surfaces a light dusting and vacuum the floors to remove accumulated dirt and dust. Of course, sweeping and mopping are adequate alternatives. Slip into cozy socks or slippers to enjoy the benefit of your labor.

11. Open Windows

After your home has been closed up for so long while you were gone, let some fresh air in. Weather permitting, draw the curtains and open the windows. Almost instantaneously, rooms will feel less stuffy and smell less stale. Avoid artificial room sprays that mask odors without truly eradicating their source.

12. Turn On the HVAC or Plumbing Systems

If you turned off the plumbing, water heater, or HVAC system, now is the time to flip the switch back on. Each of these systems and appliances needs warm-up time before use, so restore power as soon as you arrive home. Also, remember to adjust the thermostat temperature to the correct setting if it was on an energy saver mode during your trip.

13. Adjust to the Time Zone

Returning from a vacation with a significant time difference can significantly impact your body and sleep schedule. Give yourself grace to readjust to your home time zone. Take naps whenever necessary to get your circadian rhythms back to normal. Ease your way back into a healthy sleep routine.

14. Listen to Your Body

Not every vacation is relaxing. Traveling can be exhausting and stressful. It’s essential to listen to your body after a vacation. Drink plenty of water to rehydrate, get lots of sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. Your immune system could use a boost, too, so pack meals with nutritious vegetables and vitamins.