The plane is waiting but I have to hoover, dust and clean ! WHY ???

Always do the same - never think anything of it. I always do everything in advance/prepare - as I feel nobody knows what the next day will bring - so guess that's why I do it.

I do it because I want to come back to a nice clean house , then I only have washing and a shopping delivery to sort out.

When we go away i arrange for a cleaner to come in the day before we come back. Problem solved!

I agree that one cleans before voyaging to return to a nice and tidy house but it doesn't help with the mountain of washing, unpacking, tidying, putting away, defrosting cooking and other related tasks than fall to one half of the pair only on arrival.

I have long realised that holidays are not holidays for women. They double their work.

When I go away I have six loos to clean instead of three.

My idea of a holiday would be to have staff to do all the related chores.

Yes, I do this. Coming back to a lovely clean, tidy house is very relaxing after the return journey. My partner always moans and says ‘Why are you bothering it’ll be dusty again by the time we get back?’ Yet, without fail, as soon as we get back from a holiday he says ‘Oh doesn’t the house look lovely and calm’. I usually say ‘Yes, that’s because I cleaned it before we left, remember?’

I do this too and have been known to kip on the way out of the door! I love coming home to a clean house after a nice relaxing break! I even take my washing to the launderette on holiday so I only have a few bits to do when home. Have a lovely time!

I do a thorough clean before going away. AND so does my son. I want to come back to a clean tidy house and just get on with the unpacking and washing of holiday clothes.

Why indeed ?

Do men do this too? I'd like to think so..

For me two reasons If I die while away no one is going to come in and call me a dirty slob and if I walk into mess it brings my mood down.
I tend to clean my house before going anywhere even shopping.

I do it too, Serendipity22. I think it's partly the wanting a clean home to return to, but as Catcrone said, a thought at the back of my mind that if I don't return, my house will be clean and tidy for whoever has to sort it.

PS I meant to say have a lovely time. Just have fun as that is in short supply right now. No cleaning.

Good God no! I have enough to do packing and checking everything's in order Re travel requirements etc.?

I do it because the cleaner comes when we are away. So she doesn’t come into a dirty house .Think I’m mad ?

Pinkj and Nannapat- thats just too morbid to contemplate when you're in holiday mode...?

I do the same! I think it’s because if anything happened to us don’t want the family commenting on an untidy house!! Irrational I know!

My very dear and much loved, now late mother, always looked after my dog (at my house not hers) when DH and self went on holiday. Houseproud is an understatement where mum was concerned and on arrival after one holiday came home to find my cherished and very expensive non stick frying pan had received the scouring pad treatment {shock}.I did not say anything, keeping that for the right moment,obviously never came, but making sure any non sticks were under lock and key when leaving mum in charge. .

Yep.
Stark, staring bonkers.

Mind you, when I was taken very ill, I quickly emptied the bin and wiped up, because I knew I needed to get to a hospital quickly.

I am terrified of flying, when I used to fly alot I'd clean the house and put next of kin details on a post it at the front door incase I died and the police had to break in

So glad I am not the only one!! Makes coming home heavenly!!! All nice, clean and tidy .. before we start messing it up again with loads of washing, meal prep, etc …
Well worth it, when you relax on your hols, closing your eyes and imagining your lovely home waiting for you. Always happy to go away and always happy to sleep in my bed again

I do it. And change the bed. Always will.

Serendipity22 - it's simply cleaning the decks before you start something new. If you thought you were coming home to an untidy, mucky house that would sap up all the energy you will accumulate on your blissful holiday, that holiday would do you no good at all. I'm the same as you and countless others, there has to be a clean slate before going off to bask in whatever enjoyment you've chosen for yourself.

Did this for years. Then - we arrived home from a long flight one year to find 3 fire engines outside our home. There had been a fire caused by an electrical fault - it spread through the loft, caused the water tank to burst and flood the place. Lost virtually everything. I've never bothered to clean and tidy since when we are going away - other than the normal everyday clean up.

Serendipity22

Well firstly THANK YOU for replies, it seems to me I am just CRACKERS haaaaaa.

Fanny I am off to see my son in Canada and I HAVE MY 2 75ml OF MAGICOOL with me and alllllll thoughts will be on you because it was you who gave me good feedback on it.....

I had to laugh at your post Bellanonna about the burglars..... despite finding it funny, IT BETTER NOT HAPPEN!!!

Thanks again for posts, it still a puzzle and being a gal who likes to know WHY A,B and C takes place, THIS 1 is gyrating on me ..

It’s not just you. With me it’s definitely a case of knowing when I return, I can relax and knowing nothing needs to be done makes coming home more welcoming (despite after 3 weeks in the US last month I returned home to so many cobwebs!). My husband calls it burglar cleaning as he thinks I do it so I’m not ashamed of the house if we do get broken in to. I told him the real reason is if we do get burgled, I’ll know which fingerprints the police can use!

I get it, nice to come home to a clean house with no chores waiting ?