Affordable Help That Changes Daily Life
One of the quality-of-life upgrades that surprises most expats is how affordable household help is in Medellín. Empleadas (housekeepers), cleaning services, and per-kilo laundry are standard middle-class amenities here — not luxuries. For retirees and busy professionals, this can transform daily living.
Types of Household Help
Empleada por Días (Day Worker)
The most common arrangement for expats. An empleada comes 1–3 days per week for deep cleaning, laundry, ironing, and sometimes cooking. Typical rates:
- Full day (8 hours): COP 70,000–130,000 ($19–$35) depending on neighborhood and tasks
- Half day (4 hours): COP 40,000–70,000 ($11–$19)
- Finding one: Word of mouth through porteros, neighbors, or expat Facebook groups. Porteros often know reliable empleadas who work in the building.
Empleada Interna (Live-In)
Less common for expats but available. A live-in housekeeper handles daily cleaning, cooking, laundry, and household management. Monthly salary: COP 1,750,905 (the SMMLV) or higher, plus room/board, social security contributions, and legally mandated benefits.
Lavandería (Laundry Service)
Per-kilo laundry services are everywhere in Medellín:
- Standard service: COP 7,000–9,000/kg ($1.89–$2.43) — wash, dry, fold
- Express (2-hour): COP 12,000/kg ($3.24)
- Monthly budget: $15–$30 for most individuals
Legal Requirements
What to Expect
- Quality: Colombian empleadas are generally thorough and professional. Many have years of experience working in middle-class and upper-class homes.
- Language: Most empleadas speak only Spanish. Basic Spanish for communicating preferences and instructions is essential.
- Supplies: You typically provide cleaning supplies. Empleadas bring their own work clothing.
- Tipping/Bonuses: A monthly bonus or gift during holidays (especially December) is customary and appreciated.
- Trust: Build the relationship gradually. Start with weekly visits and increase as trust develops. Portero referrals carry implicit vetting.
Frequently Asked Questions
A full-day empleada (8 hours) costs COP 70,000–130,000 ($19–$35) per day. Most expats hire 1–2 days per week. Half-day rates run COP 40,000–70,000 ($11–$19).
Ask your portero — they typically know empleadas who already work in the building. Neighbor referrals and expat Facebook groups (Medellin Expat and Tourist Info) are also reliable sources. Start with weekly visits and build trust.
If you hire someone regularly (generally 3+ days/week), Colombian labor law requires social security contributions. For 1–2 days/week, the obligation is proportional. Many expats use payroll services or confirm their empleada has independent coverage.
Drop off clothes at any lavandería (found on almost every commercial street). They weigh your laundry and charge per kilogram — COP 7,000–9,000/kg ($1.89–$2.43). Standard turnaround is 24 hours. Express 2-hour service costs COP 12,000/kg.