This is the simple but brilliant trick that thousands of households adopt before each holiday departure… and it could well save you from a very unpleasant surprise upon your return.
A discreet gesture that intrigues… but which is increasingly appealing to holidaymakers.
Before packing our suitcases, we think about passports, turning off the water, emptying the fridge, closing the shutters, and cat food. But who thinks about the sink ? Yet this discreet corner of the kitchen can quickly become a nightmare upon returning from vacation.
And that’s where a rather strange ritual — an upside-down glass on a piece of paper — makes its appearance in many homes.
No, this isn’t a TikTok fad. This small gesture, relayed in particular by media outlets like Ok Diario , could be a real safeguard against a common mishap when leaving your house empty for several days.
Before you leave, don’t neglect your sink.
Foul odors , rising damp , insects coming up from the pipes and making themselves at home… If you have ever experienced this kind of surprise upon returning from vacation, you are not alone . The kitchen sink, often damp and poorly ventilated, becomes a risk zone when you are away.
This is why some experts, like Loïc, a plumber in the Landes region for 18 years, recommend preparing for evacuation like you would prepare your luggage.
” We clean the siphons, rinse with hot water, and finish with white vinegar. And above all, we cover the drain with an upside-down glass on a sheet of paper to prevent backflow. This small step avoids 80% of unpleasant surprises in my experience ,” he explains.
” It’s not something everyone automatically thinks of, but it’s one of the simplest and most effective things I recommend ,” says this plumber. He’s talking about a quick little ritual, without expensive products or DIY projects, but one that can save you a lot of trouble.
