Don’t be that roommate.
That roommate is the one that leaves the apartment in a hurry on Thursday before Summer Break starts because he doesn’t have class on Fridays. That roommate is the one who leaves his dishes in the sink and his gaming system out on the floor of the living room. That roommate is the one who doesn’t do his part to clean up, leaving his house mate stranded with the mess. Don’t be that person. Instead, have some respect for yourself and the other people in your flat, by following this quick pre-vacation checklist:
1) Take the garbage out
No one wants to smell trash when they come back from break after several months. Be sure to take all of your garbage and recycling out before you leave so your place can still be smelling pleasant when you get back. Top off a trash-free pad by spraying some Febreze for added freshness.
2) Unplug all the things
You save money this way, and also protect your electronics from Summer electrical storms. It would be unwise to unplug your refrigerator, but make sure you detach the extension cords that host your chargers, television, internet, etc. For more advice on how to make your apartment more efficient, check this out.
3) Do your laundry AND your dishes
Do your laundry to prevent yourself from returning to a stinky bedroom. Do your dishes to prevent your roommate from hating you. Be a responsible adult and do these things regularly, even if you aren’t leaving for vacation. But if you are leaving, it’s especially disrespectful to make your remaining flatmates clean your kitchen messes.
4) Take all of your belongings out of the common space
In the same vein as #3, make sure all your items are put away. Don’t leave anything out in the living room that doesn’t belong to the entertainment system.
5) Keep the air conditioner on 65°
Another good way to save money on utilities is to put your air conditioner on 65° and keep it there. You don’t want air fluctuating in your apartment while you’re gone.
6) Turn out the lights
This should be a no-brainer, but leaving your lights on when you are away uses a substantial amount of energy. It’s no good for the environment or your energy bill.
Don’t make the end of Summer Break worse by returning to a mess. Keep you roommates and you apartment happy this season!
Equal Housing Opportunity
