Why You Should Always Leave an Upturned Glass and a Piece of Paper in the Sink Before Going on Vacation

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

The method is surprisingly simple. All you need to do is:

1. Place a piece of absorbent paper (e.g. a paper towel) over the sink’s drain opening.

2. Invert a glass (glass or sturdy plastic) over the paper, covering the drain completely.

This forms a physical barrier that limits the rise of stale air, small particles, gases, and even insects from coming up through the pipes.

According to Loïc, a plumber with 18 years of experience in the Landes region of France:

“Before leaving, I always recommend my clients clean their sink thoroughly, treat the drains with hot white vinegar, and cover everything with a simple glass turned upside down on a sheet of paper. This prevents 80% of the post-vacation issues I see each summer.”

Pre-Vacation Ritual: How to Seal the Sink Properly

Follow this quick process to leave your sink clean, dry, and protected:

1. Clean the sink, especially around the drain and walls.

2. Pour 2–3 liters of hot or boiling white vinegar down the drain. This disinfects and breaks down any residue.

3. Let it sit for several hours or overnight, blocking the drain with a stopper or cloth if possible.

4. Rinse with hot water the next day.

5. Rub half a lemon over the drain to neutralize odors and leave a fresh scent.

6. Dry the sink thoroughly.

7. Place a paper towel over the drain opening.

8. Cover it with an upside-down glass, ensuring it fits snugly and seals off the opening.

Done! In just a few minutes, you’ve protected your kitchen from common vacation-related issues.

Why Not Just Use the Sink Stopper?