Happy Tuesday, friends!
Today’s TRAVEL TUESDAY is also a BLOG READER REQUEST.
So many of you have asked me to share how we CLOSE UP OUR HOME ON NANTUCKET!
If you’ve been one of those who have asked, then today’s your day 🙂 .
I’m not sure I’m about to share anything profound/unique/original, but I like to read random little details like this about people I follow on the internet, so hopefully you will too.
Alrighty, here we go…
First of all, this pic sums up our life on Nantucket. There is always a dog looking out the door and always a bunch of shoes piled next to it 😉 .
A few things to note (always) before we start…
#1: I’ve mentioned this before, but I think it’s relevant again today…Nantucket is a very unique place. It’s part small town (the year around population is around 20,000, there are no stop lights, everyone seems to know everyone, etc), it’s also part tourist destination (the population SWELLS with vacationers, day trippers and seasonal residents over the summer), and it’s an island. That “island” part of the description is especially important when we are packing up and leaving because we have to deal with alllllll the salt water and sand. They are not your friend for the long term, so what you’re about to read is a list of many things we are cleaning as we prepare to leave.
#2: We make an effort to visit Nantucket as often as we can. Our goal is always to have one of us visit/check on things/handle necessary chores about every month. Because we are up there often, we don’t “winterize” our home like many of our neighbors and other seasonal residents (turn off the water and drain the lines, shut the HVAC completely off, etc).
Okay, with all of that said, I made a little list of random things we do.
1: STORE THE BIKES AND VESPA AWAY
We rent a storage unit on Nantucket year around, so when it’s time to pack up at the end of the summer season, we store the bikes away. We love our bikes during the summer season and use them daily, but they will rust and ruin if we leave them outside year around, so we store them. The Vespa gets a really good wash at the car wash to get all of the salt off of it, and then, Andrew puts stabilizer in it (since there is typically some gas left in the tank). After that, it is taken to storage as well.
2: WASH OFF ALL BEACH EQUIPMENT AND PUT THAT AWAY
All of our beach chairs, beach toys, surfboard, boogie boards, and grill get a good rinse to get the salt water off and then they get put into storage as well. We clean out all of our coolers with bleach to get them good and clean before moving them to storage.
3: WASH AND REPLACE ALL THE SHEETS
We like to return to fresh sheets, so a really big thing we do the day before we leave (or morning of) is wash all of the bedding and remake the beds. If a bunk isn’t used until May or June, we will re-wash that bedding if necessary months later (just to get dust off/keep it fresh), but we like to leave with all of the linens cleaned and the beds made.
4: MAKE SURE ALL THE LAUNDRY IS DONE
We like to leave with our laundry baskets empty which means we wash and dry all of our towels and clothes and put them away before we leave. Who wants to return to dirty laundry? Not me!
5: WE DONATE THINGS WE NO LONGER NEED/USE
As we’re doing laundry to leave on island and packing away clothes to take back to Texas, we start a donate pile. Any items that we know we will no longer need/use the following year are taken to the donation center in town.
6: CLEAN OUT THE FRIDGE
We give the fridge and pantry a good cleaning and toss anything perishable.
7: COVER THE PATIO FURNITURE
Our patio furniture stays in the backyard year around, so we cover everything to keep it protected from the elements the rest of the year.
8: REPLACE THE PURA
We have a Pura in the bunkroom, and we always replace the scent cartridge the day we leave.
9: CARS WASHED, VACUUMED AND COVERED
We have a local company come and detail our cars both inside and out. They remove allllllllll of the sand and get all of the salt off of the exterior. Once the cars are cleaned, they’re locked and covered.
10: SHUT THE STORM WINDOWS
When we leave at the end of the summer season, we make sure all of the storm windows are on each window.
11: AIR FILTERS
Andrew replaces all of the air filters before we leave.
12: TAKE ALL TRASH TO THE DUMP
We haul all of our trash out to the local dump before we leave.
13: SCHEDULE ANY MAINTENANCE
We get all of our appointments/maintenance scheduled before we leave. We schedule the exterminator and make any appointments for necessary repairs that need to happen during the off season.
14: WE ADJUST THE TEMP
We can control the temperature from our phones, but before we leave, we make necessary adjustments to the thermostat.
After all of this, we pack and up and head out 🙂 .
We love heading bACK all year long, so each time we go, we at least know we’re coming home to clean sheets, zero laundry, and no stinky trash. We keep all of the “toys” put away until summer and don’t typically get that stuff out of storage for shorter off season trips.
I am positive that I probably forgot a few details. If you have questions/are curious about any of it, just let me know. I’m happy to answer questions in the comment section below.
Since we are talking Travel Tuesday today, just a reminder that my travel agency would LOVE to send you on vacation this year or in 2026. Here are a few pics of where our clients have been lately…
How adorable is this family on their Royal Caribbean cruise through the Mediterranean?!
The excursions on Mediterranean sailings are some of my very favorite!
Speaking of cruises…
…does it get more epic than a 12-night sailing through Asia?!
And of course…
…Mexico is always a mix of relaxation, adventure and…
…fun 🙂 .
We would love to connect with you about your next vacation too! No extra service fees, only very personal service from people who LOVE to travel. You can contact us HERE about international destinations, cruises, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Hawaii and of course, so many gorgeous tropical spots.
That’s it for today. Have the best best day, friends! xx
Katie Stewart says
Super curious about what Pura fragrances you like to use!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well you know me, I like to keep things seasonal 🙂 . I just checked my app and right now in the bunkroom, I have a Tommy Bahama scent and a coastal salt scent going.
Mary Beth Zimmer says
That looks like the new Ava Resort in Cancun! We stayed there last month 🙂
Katherine Darlington says
I’m curious why you and Sean don’t have Texas accents.
Mix and Match Mama says
Ha! Well, I’m sure we do to some degree. Texans do not have “southern” accents. We do have our own twang, but it’s not as distinct as our Southern friends’. I think perhaps movies and TV over-emphasize a Texas accent. I can’t think of many who actually speak with a strong “Texas” accent.
Dana P says
Maybe it’s because her parents were originally from Alabama many many years before, but my mom grew up in Texas. When she talks to her siblings, I think it’s adorable that her Texas accent comes out. But they were from Corpus Christi and Galveston, so maybe there is more of an accent there than in DFW? We definitely didn’t really hear accents in Fort Worth when we lived there in the last 5 years either. I wonder if the accent actually diminished over time? My mom and her siblings are in their late 70s.
Hope says
Do you have 4 wheel drive vehicles on the island?I know some of the beaches in NC you have to have 4 wheel drive to drive on the beach. Or do you have a vehicle to fit everyone and then a smaller vehicle for quick trips?
Mix and Match Mama says
We do have 4 wheel drive vehicles and one of them seats six 🙂 .
Elspeth Mizner says
I always love reading these kinds of posts! Thanks for sharing today!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Janelle says
I LOVE these types of posts! It’s fascinating to learn how you *shut down* your house after the summer weeks. Have you ever considered driving your cars home? Seems expensive to maintain insurance and other maintenance after using them for only a few weeks. Also, does Mix and Match Mama Travel arrange trips to ACK? It seems you’d be able to arrange the perfect package!
Thanks,
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay! I’m glad you liked it! With the frequency in which we visit, we like having our cars there. MMT works primarily with international vacations. We offer our services to all cruises, Disney vacations in the US and Hawaii, but other than that, we are an international agency.
Lindi says
Anytime we leave, even for a weekend, we turn off the water to the house. It seems like a simple thing that could prevent catastrophic damage if a pipe bursts or something goes sideways. Yes, we have those little water monitors under sinks and behind toilets, but a flood won’t pause after I’m alerted, you know? If I were leaving a house for a month at a time, I’d be doing this for sure.
Thanks for sharing!
Josie says
It sounds like you have central air but it also looks like a window unit in the top floor? Or is that something else?
Mix and Match Mama says
We do have central air! For a few days this summer, our AC went out, so our contractor let us borrow two window units for the upstairs bedrooms. I’m not sure whether or not he’s been back to retrieve them, but they ended up staying there the rest of the summer since he didn’t need them.
Kelly Sites says
My sister had a house in Mexico and they do similar things at the end of their season (they live there Jan to May, and visit here and there the other times). They have it down to a science. But they are right on the ocean, so like you, have to do all the salty ocean things. They was all of their bedding and put them in totes. And cover their mattresses. They have a cleaning lady and garden guy who come once a week all year long, so they check on things, and keep it clean. When they are returning they have the fresh sheets put on the beds. She has totes for every room with sheets, bathroom towels, etc. So you just go to the room you are staying and get your tote out and you have all fresh sheets, etc. She puts a clean diaper (obviously) in each tote to soak up moisture. It works great. They also clean their grill and put away all patio cushions, umbrellas, etc. And wash all their beach chairs.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love these details! How fun to have a sister with a house in Mexico?!
Maria says
As the wife of a plumber who owns his own business, you should consider installing a valve that can shut off the main water supply. We currently have one attached to a light switch. You have no idea how harsh the winters on the East Coast can be, and what a burst pipe can cause. To prevent any damage, we shut down our water valve at our weekend home every time we leave – it’s just a flick of the switch, then drain the faucets (making sure to close them to prevent them from bursting). Last year, we had a toilet crack due to a freezing winter. The damage was minimal but could have been worse. We’ve owned our home 30 years, Things happen that can be prevented.
Lindi says
Exactly. 100 percent
Erika Slaughter says
Goodness gracious! This post seems like a lot of work! It was the perfect example of why Tab and Erika have friends with vacation homes but don’t want one ourselves. hahaha!
Mix and Match Mama says
I literally just lol!
Sarah M. says
In Canada, your insurance can be voided if you don’t turn the water off during the winter if you’re leaving the house for more than a couple of days, unless you have someone checking the property on a regular basis. I know Andrew works in insurance, but may be less familiar with areas that get a regular winter.
Mix and Match Mama says
So interesting! That’s not the case in our area. The HOA is actually who comes through and drains the lines if you’re not going to use your water all off season, so they know which homes have it and which homes don’t.
Jess K says
I know you said you detail and cover your cars when you leave at the end of summer, but do you use them at all when you are there visiting throughout the off season, or do they just stay cleaned and covered the whole time?
Mix and Match Mama says
We do! They get covered every time we leave and detailed throughout the off season to get any salty rainwater and sand off of them.
Claire says
Super interesting post! Super random, but are you still drinking matcha?
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t had it since I left at the end of May. I forget about it…but I never forget about my coffee 🙂 .
Elizabeth L says
I love reading posts like this! I was hoping you would do one of these after I asked about it haha. Thats so nice that one of you get to visit every month. I honestly feel like I would love being there in the total off season, just so quiet and peaceful and hardly anyone around. I would be so nervous in the winter to leave the water on if I’m not there though! That’s also pretty amazing you guys are able to keep a separate car up there. Livin the dream!
sandi says
Hey, that’s my family in some of those travel pictures! What a fun trip!
We had a similar list when we would leave for RV trips; nothing like getting half way across the country and wondering if the water was turned off. It is good that you take precautions from the elements during the winter. We live on the bay with water fed from the Atlantic Ocean and the salt does a number on the house and other things. Such a thorough list!
Mix and Match Mama says
You guys are the BEST, Sandi!! We are so thankful to have sent you on your cruise! xx
Eliza says
So interesting! Thanks for sharing all the details about closing up the house.
Nikki says
Does your son play high school sports/football? If so, how does he miss summer practices/workouts?
Mix and Match Mama says
He does! He plays high school football. It is not over the summer. It didn’t start back until this week.
Marisa Patel says
It does sound like a lot of work but I am certain that at this stage of your lives it is totally worth it!
Mix and Match Mama says
I will miss it SO much when it’s not hectic. I will miss it with all my heart.
Leslie Wilcox says
I’m curious about storm windows, may I ask what they are and how to install? Thank you! Looking forward to many more Nantucket posts as they unfold. <3
Mix and Match Mama says
A few of our windows are older, so they’re not as insulated and thus, have “storm windows” on them/are them (I’m not quite sure how they work). All I know is that we open them up so that we can open the windows for air flow, but at the end of the season, we get them all closed up again for the extra insulation.
Jan says
Your organizational skills are awesome!