Arriving for the winter: reopening a closed villa in Spain

Why a closed home needs more than a quick tidy

Many owners and winter visitors return to the Costa del Sol in late autumn to homes that have been shut for months. Stale air, a film of dust and a little dampness are normal after a summer closed up, and they are easier to deal with in the right order than all at once.

If possible, ask someone you trust to open the windows and switch on the water a day or two before you arrive, so the house is not completely cold and still when you walk in.

Air first, then water

Open windows and shutters on opposite sides of the house to create a through-draught, and keep them open for several hours. Do it in the middle of the day, when the air outside is driest.

Let every tap run for a few minutes, hot and cold, and flush toilets and showers. Water that has sat in pipes and in the water heater should be run through before use. If the heater has been off for months, switch it on and let it reach temperature, and do not ignore a smell or discoloured water that does not clear: have a plumber look at it.

The kitchen: fridge, cupboards and bins

Check the fridge and freezer first. If they were left switched off, wash them out with warm water and a mild cleaner, dry them well and leave the door ajar for a few hours before switching on. Wipe inside cupboards and drawers and check dry goods for anything that should not be there.

Look along the floor edges and behind appliances for signs of insects or droppings. A thorough clean, with food stored in sealed containers from now on, is the best prevention.

Bedrooms and soft furnishings

Bedding that has been stored for months will smell shut-in even when it is clean. Wash it, and air mattresses and pillows in the sun if you can. Check wardrobes and the corners of rooms with north-facing walls for the grey-green spots that show humidity has been at work.

Sofas, curtains and rugs hold dust and odours. Vacuum them thoroughly, and send what needs it for professional cleaning before the cold and damp of winter makes drying slower.

Terraces, windows and the outside

Summer leaves salt film on glass, dust and fallen leaves on terraces, and often dirty outdoor furniture. Sweep, rinse and let surfaces dry before putting cushions back out, and check drains and gutters are clear before the autumn rains.

While you are walking round, test smoke detectors and check the electrics, the gas bottle and the air-conditioning filters. These are quick checks that are far easier to do on arrival than in the middle of a cold night.

Arrive to a home that feels ready

Lavanda can prepare a Marbella home before you land, from airing and deep cleaning to made beds and a stocked, wiped-down kitchen. Tell us when you arrive and what you would like done, and we will plan the visit around it.