HMPE 1 - Housekeeping Operations

UNIT II
CLEANING SUPPLIES AND
PROCEDURE

LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Know how different housekeeping supplies Recognize the different bacterial contamination and
how to control them.

“Housekeeping is making your guest feel that they are at home.”

- Unknown

It is essential that all materials used in cleaning the hotel rooms are with quality and
follows the standard. Using bath towel for cleaning glass is not proper, it may ease your
working hours but it is not hygienic and healthy. That is why this chapter will orient the
students with the right cleaning supplies that must be used and the right procedure in
cleaning the room.

Hotel is defined as a home away from home, that is why cleaning the rooms by a
housekeeper in the standard is a must. Remember that the guest is the hotels life. We
need to satisfy them every time they check-in by providing them a quality room to stay,
clean and hygienic is our out most priority.

What to look for when selecting cleaning equipment for housekeeping?

Before buying cleaning equipment for the staff the Executive Housekeeper / AEHK
should as for a product demonstration. Also ask for business references and for locations
where the same is in use.

It is the responsibility of the EHK to procure the ideal, most efficient equipment for her
staff to ensure maximum productivity. The below checklist will help you to compare
available features and to find the best one which will suite your requirement.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FACTORS:

Productivity: how much square feet of carpet area can be cleaned in one hour ?

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Work performance: in terms of capacity and machine and consumer reports on

performance.

Ease of handling: in terms of size, weight and height of the machine and ease of
manoeuvring and operating.

Appearance: What impression might guests have if they see the equipment in use.

Accessories: What kind of accessories are required or available?

Refill Procedure: How easy or difficult to refill required chemicals or cleaning agents ?

Regular Maintenance and care: What kind of regular care and maintenance is required
for the upkeep of the equipment.

Safety in operation and maintenance.

Suitability: to the type of area, surface, work, amount of obstruction and cleaning
frequency.

Versatility: to undertake various types of cleaning.

Portability: in terms of ease of transfer between floors and the provision of wheels and
detachable parts and consumer reports on life expectancy.

Noise level: which is a more important consideration for hospitals than hotels.

Availability of spare parts: easy servicing conditions and lead time after booking of
equipment.

Protective design: which may feature a protective edging to prevent damage to wall
furniture and fittings and no sharp edges.

Ease of storage: in terms of ease of dismantling detachable parts and storage space
required.

Cost: as a sum of initial costs, operating costs, maintenance and depreciation, as well as
hiring considerations as opposed to purchasing.

Training: What Training programs are given to the hotel staff on using the product.

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After Sales Service: What product and service warranties are included? and is service
provided onsite?

CLASSIFICATION OF CLEANING EQUIPMENT

There are broadly categorized as follows –

MANUAL CLEANING EQUIPMENT

As the name suggests, they are used manually to keep the surfaces clean. Some
commonly used manual equipment are −
• Abrasives − they are the sharpening stones or grit papers used to polish metal or
wooden surfaces. There are various abrasives depending upon the size of grit and
adhesion of grit particles on the paper.
• Brushes − they are handheld flat brushes with bristles to dust the plain surfaces as
well as the corners. They come with non-slip handles and stiff scratch-free bristles.
They help removing stubborn dust.
• Chambermaid’s Trolley/Housekeeping Trolley − This trolley is large enough to
keep all the guest room and guest bathroom supplies in an organized manner. It
makes the housekeeping staff to move it around and carry large number of items
in one go while keeping and cleaning the guest rooms.
• Dustbins − they are used to collect daily garbage produced in the hotel.
• Dusting Cloths − they are soft cloths used for wiping the surface dust.
• Dustpans − they are used to collect dust and garbage from the floor and putting it
into the dustbin.
• Janitor’s trolley − It is a trolley that stores cleaning supplies such as detergents,
spray bottles, dustbin, mop, and dusting cloths, all in a compact manner. It can be
moved around easily. It fulfills the challenge of modern day housekeeping in
hotels.
• Mops − There are various types of mops such as string mops, flat mops, dust mops,
and synthetic mops. Mops are generally made of flat cotton strings or heavy-duty
sponges fixed on the metal frames. The cotton mops have high absorbing ability
but need more care unlike the synthetic mops that offer almost zero absorbing
ability and very less maintenance.
• Mop Wringer trolley − A mop bucket cart (or mop trolley) is a wheeled bucket
that allows its user to wring out a wet mop without getting the hands dirty. The
mops are squeezed between two surfaces to remove dirty water from it.

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• Scarifying machine − It is used for keeping gardens, golf courts, and lawn in the
hotel premises. It cuts through the turf, and removes moss and dead grass. It helps
grow spongy lawn. Scarifiers have fixed knife blades attached to the rotary
cylinder. They cut through the grass by which the offshoots are separated into lots
of individual plants. This helps to thicken up the turf and improve its health.
• Spray Bottles − They are used to spray water or chemical solutions on the surface
that needs cleaning. They are also used to spray water on the delicate flowers or
leaves of flower arrangement.
• Scouring Pads – used for scrubbing purposes only.
• Dusting Cloths – used for dusting wooden and painted parts.
• Cleaning Towel – used for drying bathrooms walls and floors tiles after they are
cleaned.
• Polishing Cloths – used for polishing metal surfaces like bathroom fixtures.
• Toilet Bowl Brush – used for cleaning toilet bowls.
• Floor and window squeegees – needed to remove excessive water from the
surface and corners, it also speeds up the cleaning process.
• Ceiling brooms – to remove cobwebs in the ceiling.
• Oilers – to be applied in hinges of doors so as to prevent squeaking sounds from
the door.
• Tongs – used for picking up dirt and cigarette butts found on ashtrays.
• Trash bags – serve as under liner for garbage containers so that the wet garbage
does not penetrate into corners of surfaces.
• Soft brooms and stick broom – used for sweeping.
• Sponges – used for cleaning fine surfaces.
• Buckets and dipper – used for cleaning floors, walls and other parts of the
building.

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ELECTRIC CLEANING EQUIPMENT

As the name depicts, these equipment require electrical power to operate. They are
operated either on AC power or on the battery. Some important electric equipment are −
• Box Sweeper/Carpet Sweeper − It is electric sweeper that consists of a friction
brush. The brush often is fit to revolve vertically or horizontally, when the
equipment moves on the surface. It can clean floors as well as carpets. The wider
the better is the box sweeper brush.
• Vacuum Cleaner − It is again a majorly used equipment in hotel housekeeping. It
comes with a suction motor fit in a case, a hose, and various attachment for delicate
as well as tough cleaning requirements.
• Hydro-Vacuum or Wet and Dry Vacuum – it is an all purpose vacuum for dry

and wet surfaces.

• Polishing Machine/ Floor Polisher − They are used to add a shine to the floors of
most frequented areas of the hotel. They are used in scrubbing, stripping and
polishing hard floor surfaces, also vinyl, and wood parquet.
• Scrubber − It is a floor care accessory that comes with handheld electrically
operated scrubber. It is used where only mopping doesn’t suffice. It can scrub
stubborn and sticky stains on the floors of cafeterias, restaurants, lobbies, and
fitness areas where people can take food and beverages.
• Vapor Cleaning Machine − They are used where the chemical odors are not
desired. They are equipped for continuous operation. They heat up quickly and
work with low amount of moisture. They kill the beg bugs and their eggs, the
yielding a completely clean environment.

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• Carpet Extractor – it is designed for dry foam shampooing of carpet.

Cleaning Agents or Chemicals

Apart from water and regular detergents, the housekeeping staff also uses cleaning
chemicals, which are often available in the form of liquids, blocks, and powders.
• Water − It is the most commonly used medium for cleaning and rinsing. The
housekeeping staff needs to use only soft water because hard water cannot dilute
detergents properly. Non-oily and non-greasy stains such as ink stains can be
removed using water.
• Vinegar − It is used in removing light stains in the bath.
• Bathroom Cleaners − They come in liquid form for easy cleaning. They clean,
descale, and disinfect the bathroom walls, bathtubs, bathroom flooring, sinks, and
showers. They often contain phosphoric acid.
• Clean Air Sprays − They are best for freshening the hotel corridors, washrooms,
bathrooms, and reception areas. These sprays remove the pungent smell of tobacco,
smoke, and organic wastes.
• Degreaser − This is mainly used in bars to remove the marks of grease and lipstick
that cannot be removed by traditional washing of glasses and cups. Degreaser
restores the surface shine and transparency of the glasses and bowls.

• Floor Cleaners and Sealers − One of the important tasks of hotel housekeeping
is cleaning the floor periodically and keeping it sealed with the help of sealer of
the right consistency for optimum maintenance. Some areas in the hotel are busy
and bear heavy traffic such as lobby, corridors, parking areas, restaurants, and

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dining halls. Their floorings loses smoothness and shine. In such a case, the floor
cleaners and sealers are used for restoring their look and shine.
• Laundry Cleaners − They are liquid concentrates with variable amount of
peroxide that removes tough stains, bleaches the linen, and enhances its whiteness.
A number of chemicals are used in dry-cleaning. They are camphor oil, turpentine
spirits, benzene, kerosene and white gasoline, petroleum solvents such as naphtha
blends, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and liquid carbon dioxide. They remove
the stains from silk tapestry without damaging the fibers.
• Surface Sanitizers − They often come in the form of liquid concentrate. They are
water-based and sanitize the surfaces without damaging their appearance. The
sanitizers reduce the presence of bacteria to a great extent. They come with
different concentrations and fragrances.
• Toilet Blocks − They deodorize the toilets and leave them with a fresh smell. They
come with two variants: continuous action and instant action. They contain

oxidizing agents such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, or chlorine that removes

unpleasant organic odor from the surface of a material.
• Toilet Cleaners − They are available in liquid form containing strong hydrochloric
acid. They remove stains and plumbing scales easily, and restore the shine of their
surface.
• Carpet Cleaning Agents − Cleaning and maintaining the carpets are important
tasks of hotel housekeeping. As suggested by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI),
carpet cleaning is complete when the following issues are tackled −
o Soil containment
o Vacuuming
o Spotting
o Interim cleaning
o Restorative cleaning

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Carpet cleaning chemicals are often low-moisture, fast-drying cleaners that take
care of the above said issues effectively
• Swimming Pool Cleaners − They are used for cleaning the swimming pool water.
Some of them are TCCA-90 granules or tablets, SDIC, hydrochloric acid (HCL),
liquid chlorine, and alum. The pool cleaning chemicals kill the bacterial and algae
growth in the water.
• Wood Polish – to polish wood surfaces, leather and imitation-leather surfaces.
• Insecticides – used in fumigation and to eliminate insects and pests.
• Methylated Spirit – used for polishing all glass surfaces such as mirrors, window
etc.
• Air freshener – to be sprayed in the room in order to remove foul odor in
guestroom, comfort rooms or any area with foul odor.
• Carpet Stain Remover – used to remove stain or spot on carpet.
• Disinfectant – used to disinfect toilet bowls, urinals, sink and other areas that are
most vulnerable to bacterial contamination.
• Metal Polish – used for polishing brush copper and metal surface.
• Lacquer or paint Thinner – used to remove paint from hard surfaces.
• Muriatic Acid – used for removing cement or plastic remains from floors.
• Wax Stripper – formulated to break up, loosen and strip off tough old waxes.
• Drain Cleaners – to expedite draining of clogs.

The chemicals like Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate (SDIC) has 60% of chlorine content
and is used worldwide for disinfecting water. The pool cleaning chemicals dissolve fast
in water and provide quick cleaning results. The housekeeping staff needs to take extra
care while cleaning baby pools using these cleaners.
It is the most important duty of the housekeeping staff to prepare the guest room and the
other places in the hotel so that the guest is most comfortable. Due to this, the
housekeeping staff places some necessary supplies in the guest rooms and guest
bathrooms. The idea behind is, the guest need not pack and carry each and every essential
article while travelling.
As per the hotel policy, and the standard of the room, the lists of these supplies may
change. The housekeeping staff needs to ensure that those supplies are kept in appropriate
numbers and condition while preparing room for guest check-in.
Let us see more on the guest supplies.

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Carts and trolleys:

These are more useful than hand caddies when a large amount of supplies and items are
to be carted or replaced. They are ideal for the efficient removal and carriage of smaller
pieces of cleaning equipment, cleaning agents, linen and rubbish. They eliminate the time
wasted in assembling equipment at the work location or moving them from one place to
another.

Maid’s cart/Room attendant’s cart: Also called a room attendant’s trolley, maid’s cart
or chambermaid’s trolley, this is perhaps the most significant piece of equipment in the
housekeeping department. It is like a giant tool box; stocked with everything necessary to
service a guestroom effectively such carts available are now made of metal, but
sometimes wooden carts may be in use. The cart should be spacious enough to
carry all the supplies needed for a GRA to complete half a day’s room assignments. Since
the cart is large and may be heavily loaded, it must be easily maneuverable as well. The
ideal cart would have fixed wheels at one end and castor-wheels at the other. The cart
should be well organised so that the GRAs do not have to waste time in searching for
supplies or make frequent trips back to the supply room. Also if the cart is
not stacked neatly, it will look very unsightly when in the guests’ view. There is usually
one such cart for each room section and it is stored in the floor pantry along with other
housekeeping supplies.

SOP for Setting the Chambermaid’s Trolley

• Empty the trolley.
• Check rapidly for any broken parts.
• Clean it by dusting and wiping any stains.
• Place the items according to their weight: heaviest items at the bottom and lighter
items at the top section of the trolley.
• Place the linen for different purpose separately.
• Close the lids of cleaner bottles and liquid cans tightly.
• Record the numbers and types of the items loaded in the trolley for the rooms.
• Collect the room keys.
• Take the trolley to the assigned duty floor.
• Park it outside the room such that the linen side faces outside and the room entrance
is blocked.

LIST OF SUPPLIES FOR GUEST ROOM

The guest room supplies are considered as guest essentials. The housekeeping staff places
the following standard supplies in the guest room

• Furniture − It includes bed, bedside table, chairs, wardrobe with locker facility,
writing table, dressing table, center table, and a magazine holder.

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• Bedding − It includes mattress, bed sheet, bed cover, quilt, quilt cover, pillows, and
pillow cases.
• Bedside Supplies − They include non-slip mats on the either sides of the bed.
• Bedside Table Supplies − They involve a telephone device, and a printed compiled
list of important intercom numbers such as reception, restaurant, and laundry of the hotel.
The housekeeping staff also provides a copy of Bible, Geeta, or Koran, depending upon
the prior knowledge of the guest’s religious orientation.
• Center Table Supplies −It includes room service, laundry service, and spa and
health club rate cards. It also has an ash tray and a small decorative center piece.
• Clothing and Clothing Care − It involves bathrobe, coffee table cover, rocking
chair cover, and hangers for clothes and ties.
• Hospitality Tray − It is a small tray with compartments that holds sachets of coffee,
tea, cocoa powder, creamer, and sugar. Some hotels also offer the sachets of condiments
like black and white pepper powder, and salt. They also keep an electric kettle, a couple
of cups, saucers, spoons, and water bottle so that the guest can make the beverage of his
choice once in a day.
• Mini Bar Supplies − It includes a small personal refrigerator filled with a couple of
soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, soda, and ice cubes. It also involves a couple of personal
servings of salted peanuts, cashew nuts, or chips.
• Writing Desk Supplies − A writing pad, a pencil, an eraser, promotional brochures,
La carte menu, and the short list of places of historical and commercial importance in the
city for guest’s reference.

LIST OF SUPPLIES FOR GUEST BATHROOM

They are also considered as guest essentials. The guests are expected to use these
supplies or take them away on departure. Depending upon the type of room, the list of
supplies for guest bathroom are

• Bathroom Attachments − Bath area with shower and handheld shower attachments,
a bath tub with hot-cold water mixer and handheld shower attachment, soap dispenser,
toilet paper attachment, towel holder, and a basin with hot-cold water mixer attachment.
• Towels − The couple of pairs of a large and a small towels each for the guests to be
used according to their requirement.
• Dustbin − A small dustbin with lid, which can be often, opened by the foot and lined
with a plastic bag from inside.
• Non-slip Foot-mat − It is often, kept near the bathtub.
• Slippers − Flat non-slip slippers for the guest.
• Mirror − A large mirror is often, fit on the wall above the basin.
• Hair Dryer − A wall mounted fixed hair dryer for the guest is kept in the bathrooms.
• Vanity Tray − It contains small bottles of shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner.
Some hotels also provide moisturizer, shower cap, hand and foot cream, ear buds, and a

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small manicure kit. It may also contain a couple of empty glasses, disposable
toothbrushes, and a small bottle of mouthwash.

Items Provided on Request

The items provided on request are given to the guests when they ask for them. These are
the supplies apart from regular supplies required by some guests. These are often
provided as the guest expendables. Some of them are −

• Alarm clock
• Comb
• Crib or Cradle
• Disposable Diapers
• Disposable razor
• Electric blanket
• Electric fan
• Extra blankets
• First aid medical kit
• Handheld shower attachment
• Hearing equipment
• Hot water bag
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Pillow
• Potty Ring for toilet
• Raised toilet seat
• Sanitary napkins
• Sewing kit
• Stationery items
• Tampons
• Wipes

The efforts of housekeeping speak for themselves. The result of sincere as well as
faux housekeeping efforts are noticeable. The housekeeping staff needs to execute
cleaning and maintenance tasks at various places inside the hotel. The most important
task is cleaning and maintaining guest rooms and guest bathrooms. The guests assess the
cleanliness in this area critically.
By following the best cleaning and maintenance practices, the housekeeping staff can
contribute to retain the satisfied guests as well as to generate new guests willing to repeat
their visit to the hotel. This brings in more revenue to the hotel business. To perform
towards guest satisfaction and work productivity together, the housekeeping staff needs
to structure the cleaning and maintenance procedures and follow them appropriately.

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SAFETY MEASURES IN DOING HOUSEKEEPING TASK

Housekeeping is not just cleanliness. It includes keeping work areas neat and orderly;
maintaining halls and floors free of slip and trip hazards; and removing of waste materials
(e.g., paper, cardboard) and other fire hazards from work areas.

Safe Use
Risks can vary greatly. What important is, whoever has to use any tool or piece of
equipment as part of their job does so with care. To ensure safe use, employers must
orient workers and provide suitable information. They must also check that workers have
the appropriate qualifications to use intricate tools and equipment. In addition, as part of
their health and safety strategy employers should offer orientation and training. This isn’t
necessary for basic items, but when certain tools and equipment change, orientation and
orientation improves skills and reminds users of safety procedures.

Material handling safety

Handling material is a daily function in the workplace. All too often it is a task taken
for granted, with little knowledge of or attention to the consequences if done incorrectly.

Power Lifting

Protect Yourself
• Use the correct hand protection; wear gloves to prevent cuts.
• Wear safety shoes to prevent injury to your feet from a dropped item.

Size up the Load

A. Determine if you can carry a load comfortably; tip it on its side.
B. Get help if the load is too big or bulky for one person.
C. Check for nails, splinters, rough strapping, and rough edges.

Lift It Right
• Make sure your footing is solid.
• Keep your back straight, with no curving or slouching.
• Center your body over your feet.
• Get a good grasp on the object and pull it close to you.
• Lift with your legs, not your back.
• Move your feet to turn. Don't twist your back.

Tough Lifting Jobs

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Oversized Loads
• Don't try to carry a big load alone. Ask for help.
• Work as a team. Lift, walk, and lower the load together.
• Let one person give the directions and direct the lift.

High Loads
• Use a step stool or a sturdy ladder to reach loads that are above your shoulders.
• Get as close as you can to the load.
• Slide the load toward you.
• Do all the work with your arms and legs, not your back.

Low Loads
• Loads that are under racks and cabinets need extra care.
• Pull the load toward you, and then try to support it on your knee before you lift.
• Use your legs to power the lift.

Power Carrying Tips

Your Checklist
• Make sure your footing is firm.
• Ensure enough clearance at doorways to keep your hands and fingers safe.
• Check your route for hazards.
• Take extra care at platforms, loading docks, ramps, and stairs.
• Carry long loads on your shoulders, with front end high.
• Make sure the next person has a firm grip before you hand off the load.
• When you carry with others, everyone should carry the load on the same shoulder,
walk in step, and put the load down as a team.

Back Safety Tips

• Wear the right personal protective equipment for lifting and carrying.
• Lift with your legs, not your back; pivot, don't twist.
• Get help with tough lifting jobs.
• Spend a few minutes each day before work on power warm-ups.
• Exercise regularly to keep your back strong and healthy.
• Eat right, stay slender, and cut down on stress to avoid back injuries.

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BATHROOM CLEANING

Considering what we put them through each day, sinks, showers, tubs and toilets deserve
special cleaning attention. Thankfully, modern plumbing fixtures are designed to make
the job of bathroom cleaning as easy as possible.

We asked home-efficiency expert Cynthia Townley Ewer, author of Houseworks, to

explain the best way to clean and disinfect bathroom fixtures.

SINKS
From toothpaste dribbles to overspray from hair products, the lowly sink endures a
daily barrage of dirt and grime. Keep it sparkling back at you with regular cleaning.

Right for the job. Use all-purpose bathroom cleaner to remove light soil and film. For
more hardened deposits, abrasive or soft-scrub cleaners may be used, as they will be easy
to rinse from ceramic (vitreous china) surfaces. Cleaners formulated with bleach will
remove toothpaste dribbles and sanitize surfaces, too. Keep bathroom cleaning green by
using homemade cleaners. They'll make your bathroom sparkle and shine without harsh
chemicals — or a harsh price tag.

On the edge. Clean the rim and fixtures with a disinfecting spray glass cleaner or all-
purpose bathroom cleaner. Buff fixtures shiny and dry with a fresh cleaning cloth.

SHOWER AND TUB

Soap scum, bath oil, hair products and body soil combine forces to assault the
shining surface of the shower and tub, while tub rims, fixtures and faucets provide hiding
places for moisture, mold and mildew. Put the job off and deposits harden and ossify, and
mildew and mold take up residence in dark corners. Harness time and cleaning power to
make short work of cleaning the shower and tub.

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Spray and stand. Before cleaning the rest of the bathroom, spray the tub area with a
generous layer of all-purpose bathroom cleaner, and allow the product to stand while you
clean elsewhere. The standing time helps the cleanser to dissolve oils and soap scum, so
you'll need less elbow grease to remove it.

Get scrubbing. Use abrasive scrubbing pads to remove bathtub rings or deposits on
shower floors. Tile brushes scrub tile grout and reach into cracks and corners, while the
handle protects knuckles from accidental contact with the tub. A cleaning toothbrush
does a quick job of removing buildup deposits around tub fixtures or faucet.

Rinse clean. A detachable showerhead allows you to rinse off cleaner quickly and
cleanly. If you don't have one, stock your cleaning tote with a removable rubber
showerhead that attaches to the bathtub tap. Commonly used for shampooing hair or
bathing pets, they're inexpensive and make it easier to rinse tub and shower walls after
you clean.

FIBERGLASS SHOWERS AND GLASS DOORS

These surfaces need special treatment. Clean them with a nonabrasive cleaner such
as an all-purpose bathroom cleaner, pine oil or baking soda. Avoid abrasive cleansers or
scrubbing pads because they may scratch or dull the finish.

Cloudy glass shower doors may be cleaned with full-strength white vinegar or a
commercial lime and scale remover. Use good ventilation and protect skin and clothing
when using these products.
TOILET
Cleaning the toilet isn't most people's idea of a good time, but where would we be
without it? I'll tell you: back in the outhouse. Try these ideas to keep it clean and inviting:

Take your time. Place granulated or liquid toilet bowl cleaner into the bowl, and let the
cleaner go to work. Standing time is necessary to dissolve deposits and kill germs, so
don't cut the time short.

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Brush up. A good bowl brush is a must. If yours is flattened or mashed, replace it; you
need those bristles bristling to do a good job. Curved bowl brushes reach up and under
the toilet rim to scour away hidden deposits.

Scrub up. If the toilet develops a stubborn ring that regular cleaning won't cure, bring on
the pumice stone! This natural stone is porous and crumbles. Rub the stone directly on
the ring to remove the deposit.

Disinfect. Use a disinfecting spray cleaner or all-purpose bathroom cleaner to spray toilet
rims, seat and lid, tank and bowl exterior. Be sure to check the label for the recommended
standing time; antibacterial cleaning products require a certain amount of wet exposure to
kill germs. Wipe clean and dry with fresh cleaning cloths.

Drips and dribbles. These are a predictable hazard in a home containing boys — of any
age — and can cause odor problems and floor damage if urine is allowed to stand at the
base of the toilet. Use disinfecting cleaner and the cleaning toothbrush to rout out stray
dribbles — or assign the job to the manly offenders.

WINDOW CLEANING
1. Choose a dry, cloudy day.
"Do this job in the blazing sun and the cleaner will dry onto the hot windows before you
get to wipe it off, leaving hard-to-remove streaks,". If the weather won't cooperate, start
on the shady side of the house.
2. Remove dirt and dust first.
Before you get started, sweep dirt from the window frame with a brush or vacuum it up
with your machine's dusting attachment. This will prevent dirt from turning into a muddy
mess when mixed with a cleaner. If your window screen looks especially grimy, pop it
out and wash with hot, sudsy water and a soft brush, then rinse and let dry before putting
it back.
For quickly dusting shades and blinds, Forte recommends going over both sides with a
microfiber duster or opening the slats and going over each one with a damp cloth and
followed by a dry one.

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You can also refresh your curtains at the same time by putting them in the dryer for 15
minutes on an "air-only" cycle and rehanging quickly to prevent wrinkles.
3. Pick the right cleaner — and spritz generously.
Don't hold back on the spray, especially if your windows look extra dirty. "You need
plenty of cleaner to dissolve and suspend the dirt so it can be completely wiped away —
skimp and you'll be seeing streaks,"
4. Use a microfiber cloth.
Some folks like drying panes with newspaper, but you're better off reusable microfiber
cloths. "They are super absorbent, washable, and leave the glass shiny and streak-free,".

MANUAL CLEANING METHOD

Dusting:
What is the process involved in dusting?
• This task requires a systematic and orderly approach for efficiency & ease.
• Room attendants should start dusting articles at the door & work clockwise
around the room.
• This minimizes the chances of overlooking a spot.
• Always fold the duster three times & then thrice again, with this method you can
get 18 clean folds and thus making the duster more effective.
• No corners of the duster should be left hanging.
• A soft, lint-free cloth should be used as a duster.
• Avoid using old rags, which leave behind their own dust and lint.
• In all cases, begin dusting from the highest surfaces so that dust does not fall on
items already cleaned.
• In case a dusting solution is used, spray a small amount onto the cloth.
• Never spray dusting solution directly onto the surface being cleaned as it can stain
or cause stickiness.
• The duster should not be unfolded in the room after dusting, nor be shaken
outside the window.
• Carry the duster away carefully to such a place where it can be washed & dried.

Damp dusting:
What is the process of damp dusting?
• This is the most preferred way of cleaning in hotels as surfaces can be wiped as
well as dusted, removing any sticky or dirty marks at the same time.
• A suitable lint-free cloth at the correct level of dampness should be used so as to
avoid leaving any smears.

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HMPE 1 - Housekeeping Operations

• A Dusting solution can be also used by spraying a small amount into the dust
cloth.
• Damp dusting should be avoided on all electrical and electronic equipment.

Manual polishing:
What is the process of Manual Polishing?
Apply the polish sparingly.
• Use cotton rags to apply polish & a cloth for buffing.
• Use a soft brush for carved articles to get the polish into crevices.
• Always use the polish appropriate for a particular surface. For example use
proprietary polishes for metals like Brasso, Silver, & so on- should be used on
these surfaces.

Spot Cleaning:
What is the process of Spot Cleaning?
• This refers to the removal of stains from different kinds of hard & soft surfaces.
• To remove a localized stain, the whole surface need not be treated with stain-
removal reagents.
• Just the area where the stain discolours the surface is treated & cleaned in the
process of spot cleaning.
• Spot cleaning may be used as a cleaning method on walls, fabric, carpets or
flooring.

SUMMARY
Keeping hotel rooms are essential in the hotel business because this is the primary
product of the hotel and it is the reason why do people visit the establishment to have a
place to rest. Items being used in cleaning the hotel establishments and rooms must meet
the standards to lessen the chances of having a complaint because of uncleaned rooms.
In this chapter it is cleaning materials are explained and some illustrated to have a
better vision of cleaning materials. Some safety measures while cleaning the room was
also provided. It is not enough to just have a clean room employee must be safe too.
GUIDE QUESTIONS
1. What are the different types of cleaning equipment?
2. What are other amenities that may be given to the guest?
3. How to be safe while cleaning the guest rooms?
4. How to clean Bathrooms?
5. How to clean Windows?

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