The image depicts a bright, modern kitchen in a Spanish apartment. Sunlight streams through a large window, illuminating the glossy white tiled floor, which reflects the light. The kitchen is well-organized, featuring sleek cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, and a contemporary gas stove. A wooden dining table with four chairs occupies one corner, adorned with a vase of fresh flowers. On the countertop, various cleaning supplies are neatly arranged, including a mop, a bucket, and eco-friendly cleaning products. The walls are painted in a soft pastel color, enhancing the inviting atmosphere. A small balcony visible through the window is adorned with potted plants, adding a touch of greenery. The entire scene conveys a sense of cleanliness and order, emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance in a Spanish home.

Homerd service cleaning

How Many Cleaning Hours Do I Need? Guide for Homes in Spain

Equipo Homerd

October 1, 2026

The short answer: for regular maintenance, allow 1 to 1.5 hours of cleaning for every 50 m² (540 sq ft). A typical 80–100 m² flat in Spain (860–1,075 sq ft, usually two or three bedrooms) stays clean with 2–3 hours a week, or 4–5 hours every two weeks. The number of people, pets and how often you clean adjust the figure from there.

Spanish homes are measured in square metres, so the tables below use m² with the square-foot equivalent alongside.

Cleaning hours by home size

Home size	Hours per visit (maintenance)	Usual frequency
Studio or flat up to 50 m² (540 sq ft)	1 – 1.5 h	Weekly or every two weeks
50–80 m² (540–860 sq ft)	1.5 – 2.5 h	Weekly
80–100 m² (860–1,075 sq ft)	2 – 3 h (4–5 h if every two weeks)	Weekly or every two weeks
100–150 m² (1,075–1,615 sq ft)	3 – 4.5 h	Weekly
Deep clean (average flat)	8 – 12 h	Once or twice a year

These are maintenance times: floors, bathrooms, kitchen and dusting. A deep clean (inside cupboards, windows, oven and fridge, degreasing) is a different service and takes much longer.

Cleaning hours by household

Household	Approximate hours per week
One person in a two-bedroom flat	2 – 3 h
Couple in a two-bedroom flat	2.5 – 3.5 h
Family of four in the same flat	5 – 7 h
One small pet	+1 – 2 h
Several pets or large breeds	+3 – 4 h

What decides how many hours you need

Size and layout

Size matters most, but layout comes a close second. An open-plan flat with little furniture is quicker to clean than one of the same size split into lots of small rooms. Count bathrooms separately: each extra bathroom adds around 20–30 minutes to a regular clean.

People and children

Every extra person means more use of the kitchen and bathrooms, more laundry and more clutter. Homes with babies or small children need more frequent cleaning of floors and surfaces.

Pets

Dogs and cats bring in dirt and shed hair on floors and sofas. A small pet adds 1–2 hours a week; several pets or long-haired breeds can add 3–4 hours.

Frequency

Weekly cleans are the most efficient. If you switch to every two weeks, each visit takes roughly 30–50% longer because more dirt builds up between cleans. The first clean after a long gap always takes much longer than a regular one.

What's different about cleaning a home in Spain

If you've moved from the UK, Ireland or northern Europe, a few things change how long cleaning takes here:

Tiled floors almost everywhere. Most Spanish homes have tiles or terrazzo rather than carpet. They're quick to mop, but dust and footprints show easily, so floors need doing every visit.
Hard water in many areas. Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante and the Balearic Islands have hard water, so limescale builds up on taps, shower screens and kettles. Allow extra time in bathrooms. Madrid's water is much softer.
Terraces and balconies. Outdoor space is part of daily life in Spain, and terraces collect dust, leaves and, on the coast, sea salt. Ask for the terrace to be included every two or three visits.
Dust from calima. In the south and east, episodes of Saharan dust (calima) leave a layer on windows, terraces and furniture. After a strong episode, book an extra hour or two for windows and outdoor areas.

Regular cleaning vs deep cleaning

Regular cleaning covers the usual tasks: vacuuming, mopping, bathrooms, kitchen surfaces and dusting. For an average home that's 2–4 hours a week. A deep clean goes further: inside cupboards, curtains, windows, oven and fridge, limescale removal and degreasing the kitchen. It takes 8–12 hours for an average flat. Most households combine a weekly clean with a deep clean every three to six months, and always book one when moving into a new flat.

How many hours to book with a cleaner

For a standard 80–100 m² flat with no special circumstances, most people book 2–3 hours a week or 4–5 hours every two weeks. Tell your cleaner what matters most to you: some households want the focus on bathrooms and kitchen, others want the whole home done evenly. If you're not sure, start with a one-off clean and adjust the hours after the first visit.

To work out your weekly budget, multiply your hours by the hourly rate. Our guide on how much a cleaner costs in Spain has 2026 rates for each city. With Homerd, prices start from €9.60 an hour in Madrid and €10 in other cities. You can also read our overview of home maid services in Spain.

Frequently asked questions

How many cleaning hours does an 80 m² flat need?

2–3 hours a week for maintenance, or 4–5 hours every two weeks. Add 1–2 hours if you have children or pets.

Is 2 hours a week enough?

Yes for flats up to about 70 m² (750 sq ft) with one or two people and no pets. With a family, pets or a larger home, 2 hours falls short and the work piles up from week to week.

How long does a deep clean take?

8–12 hours for an average flat, because it includes inside cupboards, windows, curtains, oven, fridge and limescale. It's usually done by two cleaners in one visit.

Is it better to clean weekly or every two weeks?

With one or two people and no pets, every two weeks is usually enough. With children, pets or more people, weekly cleans stop the work from building up and each visit is more efficient.

How many hours for a 3-bedroom house?

A 3-bedroom flat of around 100–120 m² needs 3–4 hours a week. A 3-bedroom house with a garden or large terrace can need 4–6 hours.

How many hours does the first clean take?

More than a regular visit, especially if the home hasn't had a full clean for a while. The easiest approach is to start with a deep clean and then move to regular sessions.

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: