Topic: Seasonal

  • Summer preparation checklist for your Spanish villa

    If your villa has been closed up since January, it needs more than a quick hoover before you or your guests arrive in June. Here’s a practical checklist for getting a Costa del Sol property fully ready for the summer season.

    Cleaning and deep clean

    • Full deep clean — all rooms, oven, fridge, bathrooms, terrace
    • Clean exterior shutters and window tracks
    • Wipe down all outdoor furniture
    • Clear terrace drain covers of accumulated debris
    • Check for any mould or damp in bathrooms or north-facing rooms

    Systems and appliances

    • Test all air conditioning units — service if they haven’t been run since last year
    • Check all ceiling fans are working and clean
    • Run all taps and flush all toilets — P-traps dry out over winter
    • Test the boiler and hot water
    • Check garden irrigation system

    Pool and outdoor

    • Pool service: balance chemicals, check pump and filter, clean waterline
    • Check pool safety — covers, handrails, non-slip surfaces
    • Check outdoor shower
    • Garden tidy — prune, clear winter deadfall, edge lawns

    Stock and supplies

    • Replace any expired food items left from last year
    • Restock: bin bags, toilet paper, washing-up liquid, dishwasher tablets, batteries
    • Check linen inventory — replace any worn or stained items before guests arrive

    Arrange the deep clean first — everything else is easier once the property is clean and aired. Post a job on SAM to get quotes from local villa cleaning services.

  • Christmas preparation cleaning guide for Andalucía homeowners

    For many expat property owners on the Costa del Sol, Christmas is one of the two or three times a year they actually get to use the property. Getting it properly ready after weeks or months of being empty makes the difference between a relaxing arrival and a stressful one.

    Book the clean early

    December is busy for cleaning services in Marbella and across Andalucía — both local families and other holiday homeowners are all preparing properties at the same time. If you’re arriving between 20 December and 6 January, book your pre-arrival clean by the end of November. Don’t leave it to the last minute.

    What to ask for

    • Full property clean — all rooms, kitchen, bathrooms
    • Fresh bed linen on all beds
    • Airing the property — windows open for at least an hour before closing up
    • Check all systems: hot water, heating, AC
    • Run all taps and flush all toilets
    • Check for any damp, leaks, or storm damage — winter storms are common in November and December

    Heating

    Andalucía winters are mild by northern European standards — but December nights in Marbella can drop to 7–10°C, and an unheated property that’s been closed for months will feel cold on arrival. Ask your cleaner to run the heating for a couple of hours before you arrive if you can coordinate the timing.

    Getting a quote

    Post your pre-arrival job on SAM with your arrival date and property details. Specify if it’s been empty since summer — cleaners will factor in the extra time needed for a thorough airing and clean.