To think there are standard pre holiday jobs?

Yes I’m with you.

however MIL comes and dog sits for us so while I do the laundry and clean out the fridge sometimes I don’t always clean and the house is still always sparkling when we get home 😁

Yanbu i always clean the house before going away one because I dont want to come back to s shit tip but also if I died in a plane crash I wouldn't want people seeing my house messy. I also unplug everything accept the fridge and the sky box. I empty all bins and ask the neighbours to sort my wheelie bins and keep an eye out. I thought everyone did this stuff

Absolutely have to deep clean the house before we go away. I like knowing it's clean to come back to. Returning from holiday is horrible and usually quite full on with catching up on everything so knowing the house is one less thing to sort is a lovely feeling.

I’m like you OP, clean the house, empty the fridge/bins, switch off plugs, all the washing is done so I can get straight on with holiday washing when we get back. I also put fresh sheets on the bed to come back to. Although last year, DCat threw up on our bed whilst we were away so that was a wasted effort.

I leave the house tidy and hoovered, bleach the toilets and plug holes, empty anything from the fridge and fruit basket that needs to go, take out the bins, and empty the water tank for the coffee machine and the dogs water bowl to prevent them going mouldy.

We normally share domestic duties in a reasonably fair way (with me doing a bit more), but I have to admit this all falls to me as DH:

• wouldn't think to do it
• is always packing until the last second, whereas I'm organised and ready hours ahead
• doesn't give a shit either way

I just use up food and empty the bins.

I do all of those things yes, I like to do a deep clean and also water my plants etc. Can't think of anything worse than coming home from holiday to a messy/dirty house, especially after a tiring day of travelling and usually having to go back to work the next day!

Yes. I do these before every holiday so I can return to a nice, clean and relaxed environment.

Honestly it depends on your situation.

We work full time, have a four year old and a pet sitter comes to visit our pets when we’re away so the house has to be clean for her.

BUT if she wasn’t coming to our house, would I bother as much? Probs not, it’s stressful trying to clean a house, pack and wrangle a four year old in the days leading up to hols with limited free time.

I would still do basic things, like empty fridge, put bins out, hoover floor but not deep clean the kitchen or make sure the place smells incredible 🤣

I wouldn't hoover or clean the bathroom. Will be dusty again by the time we get back.

Washing I would do as much as possible, mainly because I usually need to do washing to go away with enough clean clothes!!

Throw away old food, yes, and finish washing up/run dishwasher. Wipe down fridge, no.

Take out bins, yes - also water plants, suspend any subscriptions eg. we get a weekly veg box which I once forgot to suspend. Close all windows (easy to forget if it's been hot and the windows have been open for days). Bring in any garden stuff.

I prefer the house to be right before I go away.
Mostly because I don’t want to come back to it!

Chuck old food out, and turn of electrics, yes. all the other cleaning - nope. It's already stressful enough packing for a holiday, why would you add all that additional stress to it?

Unless you're one of the people who really likes coming back to a really clean house, then I suppose it's fair enough.