Here’s why you should always leave an upturned glass and a piece of paper in the sink before going on vacation
Before leaving for a vacation, most people double-check doors, windows, and appliances. They unplug electronics, clean out the fridge, and make sure the garbage is taken out. But one commonly overlooked detail can make a huge difference when you return home: the sink drain. Neglecting it can leave you facing foul odors, dampness, and even bug invasions the moment you step back inside.
When a home sits empty for days or weeks, especially during hot summer months, the water in your sink’s P-trap can slowly evaporate. That trap is the small curve in your plumbing designed to block sewer gases. Once it dries out, it becomes an open pathway for unpleasant smells to drift upward and into your kitchen or bathroom. Beyond odors, stagnant drains also give pests like gnats, ants, or roaches a convenient entry point from the pipes below.
Fortunately, plumbers recommend a quick and cost-free way to seal off your drains: place a folded paper towel over the drain opening and cover it with an inverted glass. This makeshift barrier is surprisingly effective at blocking smells and insects. Unlike standard drain stoppers, which can shift or lose their seal under heat and humidity, an upside-down glass forms a physical cap that doesn’t depend on suction or tightness.
To prepare your sink before heading out, take a few simple steps. First, clean the sink thoroughly, scrubbing away food particles or soap residue. Next, pour hot white vinegar down the drain and let it sit for a few hours to neutralize odors and kill lingering bacteria. Follow with a rinse of warm water to flush the pipes. For an added touch, rub a lemon wedge around the drain opening to leave a fresh, citrus scent. Finally, dry the area and place the paper towel and inverted glass over the drain to complete the seal.
You might wonder why not just use a sink stopper. While convenient, most stoppers are designed for occasional use and aren’t guaranteed to hold for days or weeks without movement. Heat, moisture, and changes in air pressure can loosen or deform them, breaking the seal. In contrast, an inverted glass acts as a solid cap. Because it relies on gravity rather than pressure, it’s less likely to shift or warp while you’re gone, making it a more reliable safeguard.
Taking this small preventive step ensures you’ll return to a home that feels fresh and clean rather than stale or infested. It’s a low-effort trick that can spare you from coming back to musty smells or the unpleasant surprise of insects in your sink. When preparing for your next trip, add “cover drains” to your pre-vacation checklist—right alongside locking doors, unplugging devices, and emptying the fridge. That tiny bit of preparation will make your homecoming far more pleasant and give you one less thing to worry about after your time away.