When preparing for a vacation, we often focus on booking the hotel, packing our suitcase, checking our ID, setting the GPS, or arranging for someone to water the plants. But there’s one simple, almost invisible gesture that could spare you a very unpleasant surprise upon your return: leaving an upside-down glass on a piece of paper in the kitchen sink.

It may sound trivial—or even strange—but this clever tip, increasingly adopted by families and recommended by professionals, is spreading across social media and home care guides. While it might seem like something out of a TikTok hack or your grandmother’s playbook, its effectiveness is real. Best of all, it’s simple, quick, and free.

The Sink: A Small but Risky Spot Often Forgotten

Before leaving for vacation, we usually remember to lock the doors, turn off the water, empty the fridge, shut the shutters, and switch off the lights. But the kitchen sink? It’s often overlooked—yet it can become a major trouble spot during your absence.

The sink connects directly to your home’s plumbing system. And when left unused for an extended period, this area can become a source of multiple problems:

Unpleasant odors rising from the pipes
Insects (like flies, ants, or cockroaches) creeping in through humid drains
Condensation and trapped moisture
Evaporation of siphon water traps, which normally block foul smells

So instead of being welcomed home by a fresh, clean interior, you could be hit with a musty or sour stench as soon as you open the door. Not the best way to end a relaxing vacation.

The Upside-Down Glass Trick: How It Works

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