Laundry, drying and household chores in a Spanish home

Terms used

• Tendedero — The tendedero is a clothes line or folding rack for drying laundry, usually on a balcony, terrace or patio.
• Estatutos — The estatutos are the written rules of your building's community of owners, including what you can do on facades and balconies.
• Ordenanzas — The ordenanzas are the local rules set by your town hall, covering things like noise, drying laundry and rubbish.
• Lavanderías autoservicio — Lavanderías autoservicio are self-service laundromats where you wash and dry your own clothes.

Key rules

• Dryers: Don't count on a dryer: line-drying is the norm.
• Balcony drying: Your community statutes or town rules may ban visible washing on street-facing sides.
• Night noise: Avoid running machines during local quiet hours, which usually start at 22:00 or 23:00.
• Rubbish: Take rubbish out in a closed bag during the hours your town sets.

Expect to line-dry, not tumble-dry

Line-drying is normal in Spain, and dryers are rare. Most homes have a washing machine, often in the kitchen or a small utility gallery. Only a fifth to a quarter of households own a dryer, and newer flats are more likely to have one.

Most people hang washing on a tendedero (a line or folding rack) on a balcony, terrace or interior patio. The sunny, dry climate makes this easy for much of the year. In winter or in humid areas, people dry indoors on racks, sometimes with a dehumidifier or a dryer.

Check your building's rules before you hang anything outside

Your building's rules may limit where you can hang washing. A community of owners can ban visible lines on street-facing facades. Some cities also restrict visible drying on facades or balconies. Many buildings allow drying only on interior patios.

Read your community statutes (estatutos) and ask your landlord or the building administrator. Then check your town's local rules (ordenanzas) at the town hall. Rules differ by building and by municipality.

Running the machine at night

Quiet hours are usually 22:00 or 23:00 to 07:00 or 08:00, depending on the town. Your community statutes may be stricter. A noisy machine at night can lead to complaints to the community or the local police. Run the washing machine and any dryer in the daytime or early evening.

When you need a laundromat

Self-service laundromats (lavanderías autoservicio) are common in cities and tourist areas. There are fewer in small towns, because most homes have their own machine. A wash costs about 4-7 euros and a dry about 3-5 euros per load, so a full load is about 8-12 euros. Many machines take cards or coins. Many shops also offer drop-off washing, charged per kilo.

They are useful for bulky items like duvets, or if your rental has no machine.

Rubbish and recycling

Put household rubbish in a closed bag in the street containers. Your municipality sets the hours. They are commonly an evening window from about 20:00 or 21:00 until about midnight or the early morning, though many places allow any time. Some cities collect door to door on set days and hours. Ask your neighbours or the town hall which applies to you.

Container colours usually follow this pattern:

• Green or grey: general waste.
• Yellow: plastic, cans and cartons.
• Blue: paper and cardboard.
• Green igloo: glass.
• Brown: organic waste. Towns must now separate organic waste.
• Orange: oil, in some places.

Bulky items such as old furniture need a collection service, so ask the town hall. Hours, colours and fines are set by each town.

The questions below cover the most common doubts.

Frequently asked questions

Can I hang laundry on my balcony in Spain?

Yes, you can often hang laundry on a balcony, but your building or city may restrict clothes that show on a street-facing facade. Some communities only allow drying on interior patios. Read your community rules (estatutos) and ask the administrator before you put up a line.

Can I run my washing machine at night?

Night-time use is usually not a good idea, because quiet hours typically run from 22:00 or 23:00 to 07:00 or 08:00. Noisy machines at night can lead to complaints to the community or the local police. Run it in the daytime or early evening, and check your building's own rules, which can be stricter.

How much does a self-service laundromat cost?

A self-service laundromat (lavandería autoservicio) typically costs about 8 to 12 euros for a wash and dry per load. A wash alone is about 4 to 7 euros and a dry about 3 to 5 euros. Many take cards or coins, and drop-off service is often charged per kilo. Small towns may have few options.

What time can I put the rubbish out?

Rubbish usually goes in a closed bag to a street container in an evening window set by your council, commonly from about 20:00 or 21:00 until midnight or early morning. Many places allow any time, and some cities collect door to door on set days. Ask your town hall for local hours and container colours.