Before jetting off on vacation, most people run through a checklist—locking doors, unplugging devices, and emptying the fridge. But one small detail is often forgotten: the sink drain. Overlooking this simple fixture can lead to unpleasant surprises like foul odors, dampness, and even bug invasions during your time away.

When a home sits empty, especially in the heat of summer, the water in sink traps can evaporate due to lack of use. This opens the door for sewer gases to rise through the pipes, filling your home with musty smells. Even worse, stagnant drains can become entry points for insects like gnats, ants, or roaches that crawl up from the plumbing.

Thankfully, there’s a quick and free solution that plumbers often recommend: cover the drain with a paper towel and place an inverted glass over it. This acts as a physical barrier, blocking smells and bugs more securely than standard drain plugs, which can warp, shift, or lose their seal.

To prep your sink before heading out:

1. Clean the sink thoroughly.

2. Pour hot white vinegar down the drain and let it sit for a few hours.

3. Rinse with warm water.

4. Rub a lemon wedge around the drain to leave a fresh citrus scent.

5. Dry the area and place the paper towel and upside-down glass over the drain.

You might ask: why not just use a sink stopper? While convenient, stoppers aren’t always reliable. Heat and humidity can cause them to loosen or deform, and unlike a stopper, the inverted glass doesn’t rely on pressure or a tight seal to do its job.

This small preventive step ensures that you return to a fresh, clean-smelling home, not one that feels like it’s been shut up for weeks. It’s a tiny effort for a major payoff—and one less thing to worry about when you walk through the door after vacation.