That’s one of those viral “home hacks” that spreads online—but it’s not actually necessary or reliable.
The idea behind it is usually this: people worry that when a house is empty for a while, drains can dry out and start smelling, or insects might come up from pipes. But putting an upturned glass and a piece of paper in the sink doesn’t really prevent any of that in a meaningful way.
👍 What actually works before going on holiday:
If you want to properly prepare your home, do this instead:
- 🚰 Run water in all sinks and floor drains (keeps the water trap filled so smells/insects don’t come up)
- 🧴 Pour a little cooking oil down rarely used drains (helps slow evaporation in some cases)
- 🗑️ Empty trash bins completely
- ❄️ Clean out fridge & throw away perishables
- 🚪 Close toilet lids and bathroom drains
- 🔌 Unplug appliances for safety
🧠 Bottom line:
The glass-and-paper trick is more “internet folklore” than something plumbers recommend. Real drain water traps already do the job of blocking smells and pests.
If you want, I can give you a proper pre-holiday home checklist so you don’t have to worry about anything while you’re away.
