Most travelers worry about alarms, mail piles, and wilting plants, but overlook the quiet line of defense hiding under every sink: the P-trap. That simple U-shaped pipe holds a small cup of water that blocks sewer gases and insects from entering your home. When a house sits unused for days, that water can slowly evaporate, and the seal you rely on disappears without a sound. You come back with luggage and relief, only to be met by a smell that makes your safe space feel tainted.
Preventing it is almost absurdly easy. Before leaving, run hot water for a few seconds, then pour a small splash of vinegar down the drain. Dry the sink, place a paper towel over the drain, and secure it with an upside-down glass. This quiet ritual takes moments, costs nothing, and preserves the simple, priceless comfort of walking into a home that still feels like yours.
