Don’t be afraid to clarify traditions that may differ from home to home. Should you take your shoes off when you get inside the house? Should you leave the door locked when you leave? Which dishes can you put in the dishwasher?

Ask about house rules

To avoid making your host do more laundry than necessary, stick to using one towel a week. If you know you’ll be going to the beach every day and you’re not sure how many towels your host has at their disposal, pack at least one beach towel of your own. These are the <a href="https://www.rd.com/article/etiquette-classes/">10 essential social etiquette secrets you’ll learn in any etiquette class. </a>

Conserve towels and linens

Bring soap, shampoo, and toothpaste from home. You’ll ensure that you have your favorite products and you won’t need to mooch off your host. At dinner, don’t make one of these <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/table-etiquette/">10 table etiquette mistakes. </a>

Bring your own toiletries

Your host put effort into making a nice living space for you, so it’s best to keep it that way. Make the bed when you get up in the morning, and keep your clothes either in your suitcase or put away in drawers. You’ll get a kick out of these <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/tips-from-old-etiquette-books/">15 pieces of ridiculous advice from old etiquette books. </a>

Keep the guest room tidy

Be especially careful to clean up after yourself in the kitchen, put down the toilet seat, turn the lights off when you leave a room, and close drawers and cabinets after you open them. There’s nothing worse than having to constantly clean up after your guests, so these small acts will show that you’re considerate of your host’s space.

Respect common areas

The gift can be as simple as sending a bouquet of flowers from a local florist or online service. Make sure you include a handwritten note detailing your thanks.

Leave a gift and a thank-you note

Make sure you go over the dates of your visit with the host in advance, and be sure to respect their schedule. Clear it with your host first if you want to bring anyone else (a date, children, your dog, etc.).

Be clear about your arrival and departure dates

Bringing a gift for your host is proper guest etiquette, but you don’t have to spend a ton of money. Try something that you and your host can enjoy together, like a bottle of wine or a box of cookies from your favorite hometown bakery. Or bring something their vacation home needs, like a cozy blanket for a ski home or festive towels for a beach house. Here’s <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/hostess-gifts-for-every-occasion/">the right hostess gift for every occasion. </a>

Bring a gift

You can offer to set the table, cook, wash the dishes, fix something around the house, take the dog for a walk, fold laundry, buy groceries, or run to the liquor store. Even if your host refuses the gesture to be polite, it’s the thought that counts. Tasks you should do automatically: clearing your dishes after you’ve finished eating or filling up the tank if you borrow the car.

Always offer to help

On your last day, check the bedroom and bathroom for your belongings. Then, after clearing it with the host, strip the bed before you leave. Wipe down the counters of the bathroom, make sure all used towels are in the laundry, and all borrowed items returned.

Leave the house as neat as possible

How to behave as a house guest to ensure you're not a burden to your host and to get invited back again!