Most people assume their home simply “waits” for them while they’re away, unchanged and undisturbed. In reality, unused plumbing slowly dries out, breaking the water seal that normally blocks sewer gases and insects from entering through the drains. That’s when the trouble begins: musty odors, sour smells, and bugs silently claiming the dark, damp space inside your pipes, ready to greet you the moment you walk back in the door.

By taking just a few extra minutes before you leave, you can shut that door on them—literally. A clean sink, flushed with hot vinegar and rinsed, finished with a swipe of lemon, eliminates buildup and leaves a fresh base. Then the simplest shield: a paper towel over the drain, secured under an upside-down glass. No suction, no gadgets—just a solid barrier that stays put. You return to the home you left: clean, quiet, and comfortably yours.