How Often Should You Deep Clean a Holiday Home in Spain?

Summary: Holiday homes in Spain need more than normal surface cleaning, especially if they stay empty for long periods or are used by guests. Deep cleaning helps keep apartments and villas fresh, hygienic and ready for owners, family or rental guests.

Why holiday homes need deep cleaning

A holiday home may look clean at first glance, but dust, humidity, kitchen grease, bathroom limescale and terrace dirt can build up over time.

This is especially common in properties that are:

• Closed for several weeks or months
• Used heavily during summer
• Rented to guests
• Located near the coast
• Recently renovated or refurnished

How often should a holiday home be deep cleaned?

As a general guide, most holiday homes should have a deep clean at least once or twice per year.

However, the right frequency depends on how the property is used.

1. Owner-use holiday homes

If your property is mainly used by you and your family, a deep clean once or twice per year is usually enough.

The best times are:

• Before the summer season
• After a long period of vacancy
• Before family or friends arrive
• After winter if the property has been closed

2. Airbnb and holiday rental properties

If the property is rented to guests, deep cleaning should be more frequent.

For holiday rentals, we recommend:

• A deep clean before the main summer season
• A mid-season detailed clean if bookings are frequent
• A full deep clean after the peak season
• Extra deep cleaning after difficult guests or long stays

Regular changeover cleaning is important, but it does not replace periodic deep cleaning.

3. Properties left empty for months

Empty properties often develop stale air, dust, humidity smells and terrace dirt.

If your property has been closed for more than two or three months, a deep clean or pre-arrival refresh is strongly recommended before use.

4. Coastal properties near Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa

Coastal homes can be affected by humidity, salt air, dust and sand.

Bathrooms, windows, terraces and balcony areas often need extra attention, especially before the summer season.

5. After renovation or maintenance work

Any renovation work, painting, furniture assembly or maintenance can leave fine dust behind.

After these works, a normal clean is usually not enough. A post-renovation deep clean helps remove dust from floors, corners, cupboards, bathrooms and living areas.

What should be included in a holiday home deep clean?

A professional deep clean can include:

• Detailed kitchen cleaning
• Bathroom descaling and sanitising
• Dusting of corners, doors and frames
• Interior cupboard cleaning where required
• Floor cleaning throughout
• Terrace or balcony refresh by arrangement
• Inside fridge and oven cleaning as extras
• Final property presentation check

Signs your holiday home needs a deep clean

You may need a deep clean if you notice:

• Musty smells when entering the property
• Dust returning quickly after normal cleaning
• Limescale in bathrooms
• Grease or marks in the kitchen
• Dirty terrace or balcony areas
• Guest complaints about cleanliness
• The property feeling “closed” or stale

Deep cleaning supports better property care

Deep cleaning is not only about appearance. It also helps owners notice issues earlier, such as damp smells, leaks, damaged items or areas needing maintenance.

For owners living abroad, combining deep cleaning with property inspections and keyholding can provide better peace of mind.

Deep cleaning before summer

Before the busy summer season, a deep clean helps prepare the property for heavier use.

This is especially useful for:

• Holiday rentals
• Family holiday homes
• Properties used after long winter closure
• Villas with terraces or outdoor areas