We all know the pre-vacation checklist: unplug the appliances, empty the fridge, double-check the stove, water the plants, set the alarm. But there’s one small spot most people forget to prepare before locking the door—the kitchen sink.
It might sound trivial, but ignoring your sink could welcome you home to bad odors, dampness, or even tiny insects that somehow find their way in. Luckily, there’s a weirdly simple, totally free trick that can prevent all of that: just place a paper towel over the drain and cover it with an upside-down glass.
Yes, really. Here’s why it works (and why you’ll never skip it again).
Why the Sink Matters More Than You Think
When you’re away for more than a few days, especially during warm weather, your plumbing sits idle. Without regular water running through the pipes, the water in the “trap” — that U-shaped part of your drain — can slowly evaporate. And once it’s gone, nothing stops unpleasant odors (or gases, or bugs) from drifting up into your kitchen.
That’s where the glass trick comes in.
