There’s more to going on vacation than packing a bag. You also need to give your home a good cleaning before hitting the road. After all, nobody wants to come home to an unorganised space. While you can hire a cleaning service, you still want to ensure all tasks are taken care of before leaving. 

This is where Poppies’ domestic cleaning services come in handy—whether it’s a one-off deep cleaning before you go, or regular cleaning to keep everything in check year-round. But even with professional help, a personal checklist ensures every detail is covered. 

Are you worried about forgetting a task? Create a pre-vacation house cleaning checklist. This way, you can make the job easier for professionals and go on vacation with peace of mind. 

Start With a General Tidy-Up 

Start by picking up scattered toys, books, mail, and other items and putting them away. You should also do a walk-through to pick up trash that hasn’t made it to the trash can or recycling bin. You’re not only creating a tidy space for when you get home, but you’re also keeping potential pests at bay. 

This step may seem small, but it sets the stage for the rest of your cleaning—or helps your Poppies team focus on the deeper tasks. If you’ve booked a deep cleaning, they can get right to work once the clutter is cleared. 

Living Room 

Once everything is picked up, it’s time to dust and vacuum your living room. If you have a robot vacuum, you can always set a timer so it runs while you’re gone. Some robot vacuums even allow you to control the settings from your smartphone. 

You also want to arrange the throw pillows and throw blanket on your couch and chairs. This way, you have a comfy place to sit when you get home. 

If you’re working with Poppies‘ regular cleaning service, this part can be fully taken care of before you leave—so you walk into a space that’s clean, calm, and ready to relax in. 

Kitchen 

Use up as many perishables as possible before you leave, and toss anything that has expired or will expire while you’re away from home. You can also wipe down the refrigerator if you have time, or you can look into cleaning services to help with the kitchen. 

You never want food particles to become stuck in your drain stoppers, drain, or garbage disposal while you’re gone. Those particles will eventually rot, resulting in an unpleasant odour. When you wash the dishes before leaving, which is another task to include on your checklist, be sure to clean the sink and stoppers as well. 

Of course, you also need to take the trash out before leaving. Otherwise, you may return to a foul scent or pests. This task applies to your other rooms as well. 

Kitchen cleaning is often the most time-consuming part—why not let Poppies’ domestic cleaning experts handle it? From appliances to worktops, we’ll make sure your kitchen stays fresh while you’re away. 

Bathroom 

Consider cleaning your bathrooms about a week before leaving, including the showers, sinks, and toilets. If you don’t have the time or desire to clean the bathrooms before vacation, a house cleaning service can help with this task. 

Need a quick refresher on keeping your toilet sparkling between cleans? Check out our simple guide: Remove Toilet seat stains

The day of your departure, open all the bathroom doors to allow airflow. Bathrooms are prone to moisture, so you want to prevent mould or mildew growth while you’re on vacation. 

At Poppies, we know that bathrooms are often the least-loved cleaning task—which is why our deep cleaning services cover every tile, tap, and toilet bowl. Let us handle it, so you don’t have to. 

Bedroom 

You can wait until the day before or the morning of your departure to take care of your bedroom. If you’re limited on time, you may want to take care of it sooner. 

Just like the living room, dust and vacuum to keep dust and allergens at bay, especially if you’re planning to go right to bed when you get home. 

Another task is changing the bed sheets and making the bed. This way, you have a clean, comfy place to rest on your first night home. 

There’s nothing better than coming home to freshly laundered sheets and a beautifully made bed. With Poppies’ laundry and ironing service, we can help you prepare your bedroom so you can fall straight into comfort after your travels. 

Laundry 

Start by washing the clothes you’re planning to pack, and then wash everything else in your hamper. The clothes you’re leaving behind should be folded and put away before leaving. 

If you’re planning to change the bed sheets before leaving, wash the sheets you plan on putting on your bed. If the sheets are already clean, then you have one less task on your checklist. 

Using towels the night before or the morning of departure leaves very little time to wash and dry them. Luckily, you can reduce the risk of mildew by hanging the towels to dry. 

Better yet, let Poppies help. Our laundry and ironing service ensures everything from bath towels to bed linen is fresh, dry, and ready—so you’re not coming home to a pile of chores. 

Come Home to a Clean and Calm Space 

The last thing you want to deal with when you come home from a vacation is a mess or odour. Fortunately, a pre-vacation cleaning checklist ensures your home is fresh and clean when you arrive home. You can even hire a cleaning service to help prepare your home for your time away. 

Whether you need a deep cleaning service before an event or an end of tenancy cleaning before moving, Poppies Cleaning Service can help you prepare. From regular cleaning to one-off visits, and everything from your bathroom tiles to laundry and ironing, we’re here to make life simpler. 

Learn more about our cleaning services, locations, and contact information by visiting https://poppies.co.uk. 

Last Update: July 28, 2025