When preparing for a holiday, we often think of booking a hotel, packing a suitcase, checking identification, programming the GPS, or watering the plants during our absence. But there is a discreet, almost invisible gesture that can save you from an unpleasant surprise upon your return: placing a glass upside down on a piece of paper in the sink.
It might seem trivial, even strange… Yet this advice, which more and more families are following, is recommended by professionals and repeated in various trade publications. At first glance, it looks like something from a TikTok tutorial or an old handbook. But its effectiveness is real and, above all, it is simple, fast, and free.
The sink: a small, often overlooked, and risky corner.
When we go on vacation, we make sure everything is locked, the tap is turned off, the fridge is empty, the curtains are drawn, and the lights are off. But the sink is often forgotten. Yet, it can be a formidable weak point in the house while we are away.
The kitchen sink is directly connected to the pipes. And during prolonged periods of inactivity, these pipes can become the source of various inconveniences:
Unpleasant odors from the pipes.
Insects (flies, ants, cockroaches) that utilize the humidity to enter the kitchen.
Condensation and stagnant air.
Siphons that evaporate, especially at high temperatures, causing the natural barrier against odors to disappear.
The result: upon returning home, instead of a fresh and inviting environment, you are greeted by a musty draft as soon as you open the door. Not exactly the best way to extend the magic of your vacation…
The inverted glass trick: how does it work?
This simple trick involves placing a sheet of absorbent paper (such as paper towels or tea towels) over the opening of the sink and placing an inverted glass on top of it.
This forms a physical barrier that prevents stale air, small dust particles, exhaust fumes, or even insects from entering the kitchen.
According to Loïc, a plumber with 18 years of experience in the Landes region:
“Before I leave, I always advise my clients to thoroughly clean the sink, unclog the drain with warm white vinegar, and cover everything with an inverted glass on a sheet of paper. This prevents 80% of the problems I encounter every summer when I return from vacation.”
