7 things to clean before going on winter vacation for a fresh, sanitized and pest-free space when you return

There's nothing better than going on winter vacation, but, coming back to a dusty, dirty, messy home is not it.

That's why professional cleaners always make sure to clean these seven spots before heading off so they can return home to a welcoming, inviting environment that won't make them wish they were still away.

So, here the pros share their cleaning tips for a pre-vacation cleaning checklist, to get your home sorted before you leave.

7 things to clean before going on winter vacation

1. The fridge

Before heading off, Alicia Sokolowski, co-CEO and president of AspenClean, recommends cleaning your refrigerator.

'Start by emptying the fridge and discarding any expired food,' she begins. 'Next, remove the shelves and drawers, wash them with warm water mixed with a drop of dish soap (such as AspenClean Eucalyptus Dish Soap Natural available at AspenClean) and dry them thoroughly.

'Then, wipe the interior with a mix of water and baking soda (one tablespoon per quart of water) to help remove odors and stains, before cleaning the exterior with a non-abrasive cloth to avoid scratching.'

You can also clean with vinegar, but don't forget to tackle the dirtiest part of your fridge: your vegetable drawer.

2. Your bed

Your bed is likely the first place you'll want to collapse into after a long journey home, so ensure yours is clean and fresh before you go, says Brunson Sayes, cleaning expert and founder of Breathe Maids.

'Coming home to fresh sheets is such a mood booster,' he explains. 'I strip the bed and wash the linens with Gain + Aroma Boost Laundry Detergent Liquid available at Amazon because it leaves a lasting clean scent.

'After making the bed with fresh sheets, I spray a little Downy Wrinkle Releaser and Refresher Fabric Spray available at Walmart on the duvet and pillows. It smooths them out and leaves everything smelling like a hotel bed.'

You can also make your own homemade room spray to spritz upon arrival. All you need is a spray bottle, such as the LiBa Glass Spray Bottles for Cleaning available at Walmart, your favorite essential oils, unscented witch hazel, and distilled water.

3. The kitchen sink and garbage disposal

When going on holiday, make sure you haven't cleaned everything but the kitchen sink (and garbage disposal), advises Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless.

She says, 'Food particles in the sink and disposal can decay, causing bad kitchen smells. Cleaning these areas keeps your kitchen fresh.'

To clean your sink, Toner recommends scrubbing the sink with baking soda before rinsing with warm water. We recommend doing so with a Scrub Daddy Color Sponge available at Amazon, which won't scratch your surfaces.

Then, to clean your garbage disposal, Toner recommends pouring a mixture of ice cubes and white vinegar down the disposal, followed by running cold water, or using a specifically formulated product, such as the Glisten Garbage Disposer Cleaner and Freshener with Foaming Action available at Amazon. 'This cleans and deodorizes your disposal effectively,' adds Toner.

4. The toilet

It's not glamorous, but tackling your toilet is an essential part of cleaning a bathroom, particularly before going away on winter vacation, says cleaning expert Sokolowski.

'Start by scrubbing the inside of the bowl with a toilet brush and your preferred cleaner, either DIY or another natural cleaning product,' she begins. For example, you can mix ½ cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar, let it sit in the toilet bowl for about ten minutes, before scrubbing to clean and deodorize effectively, she advises.

'Clean the exterior with a cleaner as well,' Sokolowski adds. 'Finish by wiping down the flush handle, seat, and lid with a damp microfiber cloth.'

As tempting as it may be, we never recommend pouring bleach, such as the Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner Clinging Bleach Gel available at Amazon, down your toilet to let sit while you're away, as this may damage your toilet bowl. Instead, leave it for the recommended time before flushing.

Also, avoid trying any bathroom cleaning hacks which don't really work, such as using Coca-Cola to clean the toilet bowl. The key here is to come back to a clean, sanitized space, by banishing bacteria before you go.

Pop the lids closed as well as this can sometimes be where pests enter homes, especially in guest rooms where the toilets are not flushed as much as the water may evaporate over time.

5. Your entryway

Your entryway ideas will be the first place to greet you on your return home, so get them in order before you do, advises Will Cotter, COO of HappyCleans.

He says, 'This spot gets messy fast: shoes, coats, bags and who knows what else seem to pile up. The entryway is the first thing you see when you come home, so why not make it feel as welcoming as possible?

'Tidy up and wipe down surfaces like the console table or coat rack. Shake the rug outside and vacuum the floor,' using your best upright vacuum.

If you have one, you might also want to make your rug smell nice for your return home, and pop a best reed diffuser by the door.

6. Trashcans

'Taking out the trash is non-negotiable, but I go the extra mile,' says cleaning expert Sayes. To clean a trash can, 'After emptying the bins, I wipe them down with Seventh Generation Multi Purpose Wipes available at Amazon – they're tough on odors but have no harsh chemical smell.

'For the final touch, I sprinkle a bit of baking soda,' which helps to neutralize odors while you're away, he adds.

7. Floors

Finally, give your floors a little love before heading out the door, advises cleaning expert Sokolowski.

To mop floors the right way, she says, 'Sweep or vacuum the floors thoroughly to remove any dust or dirt. Then, mop the floor using a solution of water and mild dish soap, or natural floor cleaner. Pay special attention to areas with heavy foot traffic.'

And, for a DIY, affordable alternative, why not make a baking soda streak-free floor solution, which takes only seconds to mix up.

As cleaning expert Sayes says, 'These tasks may seem simple, but they can really improve the cleanliness of your home while you’re away.'

Don't forget about the appliances you should always unplug before going on vacation, to avoid any stress and worry while away.