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Homerd
service cleaning
The short answer: if you own a holiday home in Spain, book two cleans per stay. An arrival clean the day before you land (2–4 hours for a two-bedroom apartment) and a departure clean after you leave (3–5 hours). At €10–15 an hour, that's roughly €20–60 for the arrival clean and €30–75 for the departure clean. Villas with a garden or pool need 6–10 hours, ideally with two cleaners.
Below: what each clean should include, how long it takes, what it costs and how to organise it when you're not in Spain.
Why second homes need a different kind of clean
A home that's been closed for weeks or months isn't dirty in the usual way. Dust settles on every surface, drains can start to smell once the water in the traps dries out, and on the coast a damp, musty smell builds up over winter. In the south and east, episodes of Saharan dust (calima) leave a layer on terraces, windows and outdoor furniture. A regular weekly clean doesn't cover these, so the arrival and departure cleans are planned differently.
Arrival clean: what to include
- Open up and air the whole home.
- Run every tap and flush toilets to refill drain traps and clear smells.
- Dust all surfaces, shelves, skirting boards and ceiling fans.
- Vacuum and mop every floor.
- Clean bathrooms fully, including limescale on taps and shower screens.
- Wipe the kitchen, inside the fridge and inside cupboards you'll use.
- Sweep and wipe the terrace and outdoor furniture.
- Make the beds with clean linen.
Departure clean: what to include
- Strip the beds and put linen and towels in to wash (or bag them for a laundry service).
- Empty, clean and dry the fridge; leave the door ajar if it's being switched off, to stop mould.
- Clean the kitchen, oven and hob, and take out all rubbish.
- Clean bathrooms and leave them dry.
- Vacuum and mop floors.
- Close shutters and check windows are shut.
- Cover or store terrace cushions and furniture.
How long does a holiday home clean take?
| Property | Arrival clean | Departure clean |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or one-bedroom apartment | 1.5 – 2.5 h | 2 – 3 h |
| Two-bedroom apartment | 2 – 4 h | 3 – 5 h |
| Three-bedroom apartment or townhouse | 3 – 5 h | 4 – 6 h |
| Villa with garden or pool | 6 – 10 h | 6 – 10 h |
The longer the home has been closed, the closer you'll be to the top of each range. After a long winter, the first arrival clean of the year is often closer to a deep clean.
How much does it cost?
Most cleaners charge by the hour. Private cleaners and app bookings sit around €10–15 an hour in most coastal areas; with Homerd, prices start from €10 an hour. English-speaking cleaning and property-care companies on the Costa del Sol and in Mallorca typically charge more, around €14–25 an hour, and often sell fixed-price packages.
| Property | Arrival clean (€10–15/h) | Departure clean (€10–15/h) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or one-bedroom | €15 – €38 | €20 – €45 |
| Two-bedroom apartment | €20 – €60 | €30 – €75 |
| Three-bedroom apartment or townhouse | €30 – €75 | €40 – €90 |
| Villa with garden or pool | €60 – €150 | €60 – €150 |
Laundry, window cleaning on large villas and pool maintenance are usually priced separately. For rates by city, see our guide on how much a cleaner costs in Spain.
How to organise cleaning when you're not in Spain
Book well ahead of busy weeks
Easter, July, August and the Christmas holidays are when most owners arrive, and on the coast Saturdays clash with holiday-rental changeovers. Book your arrival clean at least a week ahead for those dates, and choose a weekday if your travel plans allow.
Sort out access
The cleaner needs a way in when you're not there. The usual options are a key safe, a trusted neighbour or, in many developments, the community concierge. Agree the arrangement before you book and include it in the booking notes.
Leave clear instructions
Write down what matters: which beds to make, where the clean linen is kept, whether to switch the fridge or water heater on or off. Written instructions also remove any language barrier.
Ask for photos
If you can't check the result yourself, ask the cleaner to send a few photos at the end. It takes two minutes and saves surprises when you arrive.
Where Homerd covers holiday-home areas
You can book cleaning through the Homerd app in the main second-home areas: the Costa del Sol (Málaga, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella and Estepona), Mallorca, Valencia and Alicante. See our guides to home maid services in Málaga, Mallorca and Valencia, or our overview of home maid services in Spain.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a holiday home arrival clean cost in Spain?
For a two-bedroom apartment, around €20–60 at €10–15 an hour, depending on how long the home has been closed. English-speaking agencies on the coast usually charge more.
How long before I arrive should the clean be done?
The day before, or the morning of your arrival. Any earlier and dust starts to settle again, especially in summer or after calima.
Can I book a cleaner from abroad?
Yes. With an app you can choose the date and pay from your phone wherever you are. Share access details and instructions with the cleaner before the visit.
Should I book a clean when I leave or before I come back?
Both, if you can. The departure clean stops dirt and smells building up while the home is closed; the arrival clean deals with the dust that settles while you're away.
Is changing the bed linen included?
Making the beds with clean linen is part of an arrival clean. Washing and ironing the linen is usually a separate laundry service, so check when you book.
Do cleaners also clean the pool?
No. Pool cleaning and maintenance is a specialist job. A house cleaner can wipe down the pool area and outdoor furniture.
Book a cleaner in Spain with Homerd
With Homerd you can book a verified cleaner in a few minutes, choose the hours you need and see the full price before you confirm. One-off, weekly or every two weeks.
How to book with Homerd:
- Go to Google Play or the App Store and download the Homerd app.
- Choose your city and the cleaning service.
- Pick the date, time and number of hours.
- Confirm and pay securely in the app.
- Come home to a clean house.
Use the code HOMERD5 to get €5 off your first service.
