One of the most important things that hotel guests pay attention to is the cleanliness of their room. Inadequate preparation of the room or neglecting thorough cleaning before the guest’s arrival can lead to negative reviews and loss of customers. Even if it’s the most beautiful hotel room with the best furniture and beautiful bedding, cleanliness is paramount for travelers.
Therefore, an appropriate and detailed cleaning strategy should be a priority for the hotel, so that every time the room greets guests with impeccable cleanliness.
Cleaning staff and their duties
Hotel service employees are the ones who ensure the first impression of the hotel is positive. Their task is to make sure that any traces of previous tenants have disappeared, so that the hotel room looks clean and fresh. To do this, the cleaning staff must know the necessary cleaning procedures, including strategies on how to clean effectively.
Cleaning services in hotels also include responsibility for daily chores. This includes making beds, replacing dirty towels, and other amenities.
Furthermore, good cleaning is important for compliance with sanitation standards. In addition to food safety, hotels must comply with public health recommendations. Poor cleaning practices can lead to violations of sanitation regulations, which in turn can lead to the closure of business. Especially after Covid 19, it is key to maintain high cleanliness standards so that guests feel safe in such a public place where it is difficult to maintain social distance.
Hotel Cleaning Strategy
To always provide the best cleaning service, you need to work out certain cleaning procedures and create a comprehensive strategy for cleaning staff. The amount of staff required depends on the size of the facility. This aspect of the cleaning strategy is very individual. The other elements are described below.
Equipment and Cleaning Supplies
In order to clean well, your staff needs appropriate cleaning supplies, which are neatly organized on a cleaning cart. This will allow staff to easily move from room to room, leaving each in impeccable condition.
Cleaning Cart
The cleaning cart allows easy access to all necessary cleaning supplies, as well as fresh linens, towels, and replacement toiletries or drinks from the mini bar. When choosing a cart, you should consider some of these things:
Separate bags for dirty and waste laundry.
Many shelves and compartments for cleaning supplies for easy and efficient organization.
Compartments for guest drinks and toiletries.
Smooth and multidirectional wheels with brakes are important for safely parking the cart and easily maneuvering it.
A vacuum cleaner holder will allow your staff to avoid long breaks when moving from room to room.
Here’s what should be on the cleaning cart:
- Vacuum cleaner
- Mop or steam mop and bucket
- Universal cleaner
- Floor cleaner
- Bathroom cleaner
- Toilet cleaner
- Pipe cleaner
- Microfiber towels
- Paper towels
- Dust rags
- Dust tool
- Scrub brush
- Air freshener
- Rubber gloves
- Garbage bags
- Steam vacuum cleaner
This selection of items can always be adapted to individual needs. The products listed above are the most commonly used cleaning supplies for deep cleaning.
Guest Articles
In addition to cleaning supplies on the cart, it’s important to have hygiene products and other amenities that your guests may need. These complimentary guest products include:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Toothpaste
- Teeth cleaning kit
- Shower gel
- Body lotion
- Hand soap
- Bathrobes and slippers
- Towels
- Bedding and pillowcases
- Toilet paper
How to clean a hotel room
Preparing a cleaning routine in advance will speed up the cleaning process. Having a cleaning procedures plan will also ensure that nothing is omitted or forgotten.
Step 1: Ventilating the room
Open the windows and balcony doors. Introducing fresh air into the room will help prevent the smell of cleaning supplies from lingering.
Step 2: Making the bed
Remove the dirty bedding and place it in the dirty laundry compartment on the cart to wash later. If the same guests are staying in the room for several nights, there’s no need to change the sheets. In this case, carefully make the bed, smoothing the duvet, pillows, and bedspread.
Many hotels provide guests with cards that can be hung on the doorknob to request a change of bed linen. If such a card has been hung up, a change of bedding is absolutely necessary.
Step 3: Emptying the trash
Collect any trash you see in the room. These can be things like empty drink cans, dirty ear swabs, empty shopping bags, etc. Make sure to carefully sort the waste to not throw away anything that belongs to the guest.
After collecting the trash, empty the bins and replace the trash bags.
Step 4: Removing used cups
If any glasses or cups have been used, replace the dirty ones with freshly washed ones. Also, any drinks that have been taken from the minibar should be replenished.
Step 5: Dusting
Starting from the top and working your way down, dust all surfaces in the hotel room. Don’t forget to dust easy-to-miss spots such as light fixtures, headboards, and cabinets.
Step 6: Vacuuming
Start by thoroughly vacuuming the floor. The space under the bed and under other furniture should also be included.
Fit a brush to the vacuum cleaner and run it over any upholstered furniture and curtains. This will keep the furniture free from dust and allergens.
Step 7: Wiping down surfaces
Stock up on a universal cleaning agent and a microfiber cloth and wipe all frequently touched surfaces. These can be cabinet handles, desks, drawers, and other furniture. If any guest items are in the way, move them aside and then put them back in the same place.
Ensuring that you have disinfected surfaces not only affects the cleanliness of the room but also prevents infections.
Step 8: Cleaning small accessories and electronics
Wipe and disinfect electronics such as the TV and guest phones. TV screens tend to get dusty quickly, so it’s worth remembering them every time you clean.
You should also wipe other small items such as mugs, vases, and any other decorations that are in the room.
Step 9: Cleaning the floor
You should start by sweeping the floor to collect any crumbs and dirt. Then prepare a bucket of water and your preferred floor cleaning agent. Take a mop and start washing the floor from the farthest corner to the exit.
If the floor is carpeted, make sure you vacuumed it thoroughly.
Step 10: Cleaning the windows
Close the windows and take a glass cleaning fluid and a clean microfiber cloth. Spray the window and wipe it in a side-to-side and top-to-bottom motion.
Step 11: Final touches
Check thoroughly to see if any place has been missed during the cleaning.
Finally, as a last touch, spray the room with air freshener.
How to clean a hotel bathroom
When cleaning the bathroom, the staff must be very thorough. This place accumulates the most dirt and contaminants, and to ensure the safety and health of guests, this room must be particularly thoroughly disinfected.
Step 1: Changing towels and mats
Collect all dirty towels and mats and put them in the laundry bag.
Step 2: Emptying the trash
Get rid of all the trash and replace the bags in the trash cans.
Step 3: Cleaning the Shower/Bathtub
Equip yourself with a preferred bathroom surface cleaner and a sponge, and scrub the entire surface. Remove any soap scum and other grime that may be sticking to the surface of the bathtub. Additionally, clear any hair that has got stuck in the drain.
Step 4: Cleaning the Sink
Use an antibacterial agent and a microfiber cloth to clean the sink and the surrounding countertops. Thoroughly clean the faucets to remove any water stains and restore their shine.
Step 5: Cleaning the Mirror
Using a fresh microfiber cloth and glass cleaner, wipe away any water spots or toothpaste splatters from the mirror. Make sure not to leave streaks, wiping the mirror in a side-to-side and top-to-bottom motion.
Step 6: Cleaning the Toilet
At this point, ensure you’re equipped with gloves to avoid contact with any bacteria.
Start by applying a toilet bowl cleaner inside the bowl. Use a toilet brush to clean the inside of the bowl. Then apply a bathroom cleaner to the entire toilet. Wipe the toilet with a microfiber cloth.
Step 7: Dusting and Wiping
Dust all surfaces in the bathroom. Wipe away any grime that may be on countertops, towel racks, drawers, etc.
Step 8: Replenishing Hygiene Products
Refill used guest cosmetics, such as shampoos, shower gels, and toothpaste.
Step 9: Cleaning the Floors
First, vacuum and sweep the floor. Then, mop the entire room. Start from the middle and work outward towards the door.
Clean hotels achieve incomparably greater success in the hotel industry than resorts and hotels that do not attach great importance to cleanliness. A clean reception, lobby, spa, and hotel rooms are features that can significantly improve opinions about your hotel and satisfy your guests.
