paper 06: hotel housekeeping module 10: housekeeping
TRANSCRIPT
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THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Principal Investigator Prof. S. P. Bansal,
Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi University, Rewari
Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Prashant K. Gautam,
Director, UIHTM, Panjab University, Chandigarh
Paper Coordinator Prof. Ashish Dahiya
Director, IHTM
Maharshi Dayananad University, Rohtak, Haryana
Content Writer Mr. Pankaj Singh
IHM
Tilyar Tourist Complex, Rohtak, Haryana
Content Reviewer Prof. S.C. Bagri
Director, Centre for Mountain Tourism & Hospitality Studies
HNB Garhwal University, Uttarakhand
Paper 06: Hotel Housekeeping
Module 10: Housekeeping Inventories
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ITEMS DESCRIPTION OF MODULE
Subject Name Tourism & Hospitality
Paper Name Hotel Housekeeping
Module Title Housekeeping Inventories
Module Id Module no-10
Pre- Requisites Basic knowledge about Housekeeping department
Objectives To study different categories of inventories of the housekeeping
department
Keywords Inventories, Housekeeping, cleaning agents, cleaning equipment, linen,
uniform
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Learning Outcome
2. Introduction
3. Cleaning Equipment
3.1 Manual Equipment
3.2 Mechanical Equipment
4. Cleaning Agents
5. Guest Supplies
6. Linen
7. Uniform
8. Summary
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QUADRANT-I
1. LEARNING OUTCOME
After completing this module students will be able to:
i. Classify different articles, supplies and equipment under housekeeping inventories,
ii. Find out the various types of equipment used in housekeeping department and classify
them,
iii. Explain the different cleaning agents and their uses,
iv. Identify guest supplies and their placement in a guest room,
v. Describe numerous types of linen used by housekeeping department.
2. INTRODUCTION
All the purchased supplies of cleaning agents, equipment, linen, uniform and other articles that
are procured for future use in the housekeeping department are referred as housekeeping
supplies. These procured supplies can be classified into two categories:
1. Recycles Inventories
2. Non Recycled Inventories
The equipment or items that are used in the house keeping department again and again during the
operations are called recycled inventories like manual and mechanical cleaning equipment.
While the items that are consumed during the course of operation of housekeeping department
are called Non-recycled inventories like cleaning agents, polishes etc.
Housekeeping Inventories
Recycled
Inventories
Non Recycled Inventories
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TYPES OF HOUSE KEEPING INVENTORIES
3. CLEANING EQUIPMENT
Although a small percentage of cost goes into the purchase of the cleaning equipment, a careful
selection for the correct choice is important to enhance productivity and efficiency of the
department. The equipment must be chosen on the basis of the requirement of the surfaces. The
quality and type of equipment chosen can save expenses on breakdowns and also save labour and
time. Selecting the ideal equipment plays a major role in the cleaning process. Equipment must
be purchased keeping in mind the following points:
Quality and reliability of equipment
Cost factor
Maintenance of the equipment should be easy
Warranty provided by the company
Ease of operation
Efficiency of the equipment etc.
Cleaning equipment can be classified into manual and mechanical equipment.
3.1 Manual equipment: These equipment perform its operation manually by the workers.
Brushes, brooms and mops are examples of manual cleaning
3.1.1 Brushes
Different types of brushes are used to clean different surfaces. Any type of brush will have 3
parts- Bristles, Head stock and handle. The softness or hardness of a brush decides on what type
of surface it is meant for. Bristles can be of animal hair or fabric based. Soft bristles of fiber or
nylon are used for carpets. Short coarse brushes are used for scrubbing purpose of hard surfaces.
Head stock is the part which has the bristles inserted in. Handles are for having a good grip while
cleaning the surface.
On the basis of their functions brushes can be of following types:
Toilet brushes,
Cloth scrubber brush,
Carpet brushes,
Upholstery brushes,
Feather brushes,
Wall brush,
Sink brush.
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Care and Maintenance of Brushes Regular washing should be done to keep brushes free from
dust, dirt and hairs. They should be washed in mild soapy lather. Brushes should be washed by
gently tapping the head up and down, with the bristles facing downwards, so that the water
splashes up between the tufts. They should be rinsed well in cold water. Once excess water has
been shaken off, they should be left to dry in such a way that the remaining water may drip-off
the side of the brush or the top of the head stock. Brushes should always be kept with bristles
side up. When possible, dry brushes in the sun or open air.
3.1.2 Brooms have long bristles that can be hard or soft knotted together at one end and inserted
into a handle. Brooms are used for removing dust or dirt in large areas.
Different types of brooms are:
Wall brooms: This type of brooms have soft bristles and a long handle to reach the corners of
ceiling, mainly used to clean cobwebs and dust from higher areas that are not accessible easily.
Soft Brooms: They have soft fiber or grass as bristles and are used to clean smooth surfaces
where removing dust is relatively easier.
Hard Broom: This type of broom has coconut fiber long bristles used to remove dust from
rough surfaces. They may have a long handle to ease cleaning of dust from outdoors.
Care and maintenance:
Brooms should never be stored keeping vertically bristle side down. They should be stored
horizontally. Soft brooms should not be used on wet surfaces. Brooms should be stored after
removing dust, dirt and soil by shaking it to fluff off the soil.
3.1.3 Mops and clothes: Mops are used for dusting different type of surfaces and to clean them.
They are designed to remove soil and debris from floors, walls and ceiling without raising and
dispersing dust.
Mops with impregnated fringes.
Static mops.
Kentucky mops.
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Sponge mops.
Squeegee.
Foss mops
Different types of Cloths: Different types of clothes are used in both wet and dry cleaning of
the surfaces.
Duster: Dusters are used for dusting and buffing surfaces. They are soft, absorbent and of cotton
material. They should be washed, rinsed and dried to keep clean.
Swabs and wipes: these are used for damp dusting or wet cleaning of surfaces and sanitary
fittings like wash basins, bathtubs etc. They are soft and absorbent. They should be washed in
hot detergent and then rinsed and dried.
Scrim: It is soft and lint free loosely woven cloth, mostly used in windows and glass cleaning.
Glass cloth: These special clothes do not produce any lint when used. They can be used for
wiping drinking glasses, mirrors etc.
Rags: Rags are disposable clothes that have ended their lifecycle. These are used for polishing or
applying hard cleaning agents. They are usually disposed off after use.
Dust sheets: They are discarded bed sheets and are used to cover the furniture or other areas
during spring cleaning.
Druggets: It is a coarse woolen fabric felted or woven. The term is applied to a coarse fabric
having a cotton warp and a wool filling, used for rugs, tablecloths etc. They are placed on the
floor in doorways to prevent excessive dirt being tracked in or out during bad weather and during
redecorating projects. They are sometimes placed in the passage between the kitchen and dining
area to catch spills.
Chamois Leather: It is the skin of the chamois goat in actual, but now several cheaper
imitations are available. Chamois leather can be used wet for cleaning windows and mirrors,
when dry; it is used as a polishing cloth for silver and other metals. It is also ideal for wiping
squeegee blades. It should be cleaned with newspaper, when necessary can be washed in cold
water only.
3.1.4 Containers
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Containers are given to staff to carry, transport, collect and store supplies and other items to ease
their job.
Types of containers:
Buckets, Basins and bowls: They are used to carry water and other cleaning materials. Plastic
buckets are preferred as they are light weight and easy to carry. Large buckets can have castor
wheels or trollies for movements. Basin and bowls are used to carry small amount of water or
solutions for cvleaning purposes.
Dustpan and Dust-bins: Dustpans are used with a
broom to carry the accumulated dust. Their edge in
contact with floor must be very thin to take all the dust
particles. Dustbins are provided in different areas by the
housekeeping department and should be emptied and
washed periodically. The housekeeping department is
concerned with dustbins in guest rooms, service rooms,
public areas like guest corridor and lobbies etc.
Sani-bins: Sani bins are metal or plastic bins with lids, used in toilets for the collection of soiled
sanitary towels. They are lined with plastic or paper bags for easy cleaning. Sani bins should be
emptied and washed and wiped daily for sanitary reasons.
Spray bottles- These are light weight containers that deliver a fine
spray of cleaning solution through a fine nozzle on the surface area
to be cleaned.
Hand caddies: Earlier hand caddies were made up of wood or
metal, but now they are replaced with plastic ones. It has a box, a
fitted tray and handle. It contains all the cleaning material that are
required in cleaning different surfaces. They must be cleaned after each shift.
Maid’s cart- This is the most significant piece of equipment in
housekeeping department. It is like a tool Box, stocked with
everything necessary to service a guest room effectively. There are
3 deep shelves-the lower 2 for linen and top partitioned shelf for
small supplies. It has a sack for soiled linen, detachable trash bags,
storage space for a vacuum cleaner.
Janitor’s trolley: This trolley has cleaning supplies that are required to clean public areas or
special cleaning of a guestroom.
Mop-wringer trolley: It has a mop, buckets with a wringer all mounted on a trolley.It may have
provision to keep cleaning agents.
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Linen trolley: Used to transfer linen from laundry to linen room and from linen room to floor
pantries.
Miscellaneous Housekeeping equipment:
This includes other pieces of equipment used in the housekeeping department –
Different types of Ladders like stepladders, extension ladders, roof ladders etc
Carpet beaters.
Abrasive pads.
Rubber gloves.
Airing racks.
Choke removers.
3.2 Mechanical Equipment
The various mechanical equipment used in the housekeeping department are mostly powered by
electricity. The staff should be well trained in the operation of these equipment to enhance their
efficiency and prevent any accidents.
3.2.1 Vacuum cleaner/ Suction cleaner:
Vacuum cleaners are the most common equipment of cleaning use by housekeeping department.
They are suitable for all kind of surfaces but are suitable for those areas having large carpet area.
They remove debris and soil and water from a surface by suction.
All vacuum cleaners work on the same principle. In all types, motor drives an impeller, which
sucks in air through an inlet creating a difference in pressure between the air within and outside
the machine. Air is drawn in from the inlet passes through and out of the machine. It comes with
different attachment and nozzles. The air is sucked in together with soil, debris or water. The
dust is collected into a container provided, which may be within or outside of the machine.
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Handled vacuum cleaner or Dustette: These are small, lightweight vacuum cleaners carried in
the hand and used for cleaning curtains, upholstery edges, mattresses, computers and music
systems. They clean by brushing and suction and are very easy to handle.
Backpack vacuums: Back Pack Vacuum are lightweight and ergonomic backpack system,
which can be adjusted according to the operators preferences, makes working with such types of
vacuum convenient and therefore increases productivity. These types of cleaners are mainly used
for cleaning curtains, mattresses, computers and music systems. They clean by brushing and
suction and are very easy to handle. They can be either carried in hand or strapped to the back of
the housekeeping attendants.
Electrical brooms: These are very lightweight vacuums without a motor-driven beater brush.
They are used only for light vacuuming and for touch-ups on carpets and hard floors. Latest
generation of Electric brooms are battery operated and hence can be used without any cords.
Upright vacuums: Upright vacuums are the ones more frequently seen in hotels. The main body
of the vacuum lies horizontal on the floor and is driven by a single motor. The dust-bag is
outside the machine’s main body. There is a belt-driven beater brush to facilitate removal of dust
from thick-pile carpets. In an improved variation, there is a dual-motor system – one motor
drives the beater brush and the other provides the suction. The machine also has a built-in hose
for cleaning corners and upholstery. This machine is most suitable for use on large carpeted
areas.
Cylindrical vacuums: They work by suction only. The filter-cum-diffuser is fitted at the outlet
which removes fine dust and micro-organisms from the flow of air passing through the outlet.
The dust bag is inside the cylindrical body. The term ‘suction cleaner’ is generally used for this
kind of vacuum cleaner.
Centralized vacuums: In this type of unit, suction is generated at one point in the building.
Meanwhile, soiling can be removed at vacuum points somewhere else in the building by suitable
nozzles connected to detachable flexible hoses. The collected dirt is then conveyed by a network
of pipes to a central container. This unit is expensive to install and is generally done at the
building construction stage. The main advantage of centralized vacuum is that it is extremely
hygienic, since all the dust is carried away from the point of cleaning. Maintenance costs are
usually lower.
Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaners
These are extremely useful in housekeeping operation as they can pick up spills and excess water
when cleaning the wet surfaces. The waste water collects in a tank that needs to be emptied after
use. On the dry mode also they help in removal of dust and debris. They are required when a
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large area is to be polished and cleaned. They have flexible hose pipe with squeegee head to
absorb water.
3.2.2 Floor Scrubbing and polishing machines: This machine can scrub the floor and polish
the floor. With the help of soft pads these machines apply polish to the floor and this polish is
spread evenly on the floor surface by the machine. Then buffing is done by the machine to have
a glossy appearance of floor.
3.2.3 Wet-extraction systems
Wet extractors have suction and water injection feature to rinse and suck water from the surface
to be cleaned. This machine sprays water with detergent to remove more deeply embedded soil
which is not easily removed by suction cleaning.
3.2.4 Scrubber-drier-sweepers
These machines are suitable for large areas where mechanical sweeping, scrubbing and drying
are required.
4. CLEANING AGENTS:
Cleaning agent is a natural or synthetic material that is used to clean different surfaces. They
remove dirt from the surface to give it a clean appearance. There are many types of cleaning
agents used in the hotels for cleaning of different kinds of items.
Water: Water is the prime ingredient to start with for cleaning of many surfaces. Soft
water is preferred over hard water for its cleaning properties. It is used with some other
agent like detergent, soaps etc. as water alone is not an effective cleaner.
Detergents: They help in loosening and removing dirt and grit from the surface and hold
it in suspension. In that way it prevents dirt from getting redeposited on the surface again.
Abrasives: Abrasives are used to remove very stubborn stains from various surfaces.
They are substances that have scratching action to remove dirt from hard surface.
Fine abrasives: used for shining silver, filtered chalk and jeweller’s rouge are
used.
Medium Abrasives: Salt, scouring powder or paste
Hard Abrasives: Sandpaper, steel wool, pumice etc.
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Organic Solvents: They are used to dissolve grease and mainly used as stain removal
and dry cleaning. Methylated spirit, acetone, turpentine etc are common solvents. These
solvents must be used carefully as they are inflammable and toxic.
Disinfectants: These agents control microbial growth on the cleaned surfaces where
germ control is required. Phenols, chlorine etc. are commonly used disinfectants in
hotels.
Toilet cleaners: They are available in liquid or powder form. They are used to clean and
sanitize the WCs, urinals and bidets. They are acidic in nature and may have some fine
abrasives to remove the stubborn stains.
Polishes: Polishes are used to smoothen uneven surface and provide a smooth protective
layer. They also gives a nice sheen on the surfaces they are used. They are available in
different forms like paste, liquid, spay or cream. Different types of polishes are available
for different type of surfaces. E.g. Floor polishes, Metal polishes, Leather polishes, and
Furniture polishes.
Glass Cleaner: Glass cleaners are available in liquids and sprays. They are applied
directly on glass surfaces and then cleaned with a soft, lint free duster. A mixture of water
with spirit or vinegar makes an inexpensive glass cleaner for use.
Carpet cleaners: Carpet cleaners are available as sprays, foams and shampoos. Basically
they are water soluble solvents, soil repellant, optical brightener and deodorizer. They
must be used in proper dilution.
Common Cleaning Agents Used In Housekeeping-
i. Fuller’s earth: It is a clay material that can absorb oil/grease without any chemical
treatment. It is commonly used on coloured wooden surfaces.
ii. Borax: Borax or Sodium borate is a salt of boric acid, easily dissolves in water. It is used
to remove coffe and tea stains.
iii. Jeweller’s rouge: Also known as red rouge or ferric oxide is a very fine compound used
for buffing and polishing of silver surfaces.
iv. Linseeed Oil: It is oil obtained from flax seeds. They are used as a constituent of
furniture polishes and paints.
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v. Pumice: Pumice stone is a light and porous stone used as abrsive on hard surfaces like
metals etc.
vi. Sawdust: It absorbs grease and can be used as an abrasive.
vii. Turpentine: It is used to dilute paints and a constituent of paints.
viii. Vinegar: It can be used as glass cleaner in a water solution. It is also used to clean metals
like copper.
5. GUEST SUPPLIES
All items that are placed in a guest room to add on the comfort and convenience of a guest’s stay
at hotel are known as guest supplies.
Guest loan items:
These are the items which are not kept in the guest room but are provided to the guest on his
request, e.g. Iron, Ironing board, hair driers, alarm clocks, hot water bottles etc.
Placement of Guest Supplies in Guest Room:
a) Behind the Door:
A DND card the reverse of which may be “please make up my room card” on the door
knob on the inside of the door.
Room’s rate for different kinds of rooms.
A detail map fire exists.
A notice reminding the guests of the safe-deposit facilities at the cashier’s desk.
b) Bedside table:
Telephone and the service dictionary.
A notepad and a pencil.
An ashtray and a matchbox.
Local telephone directory
A Bible, Gita or a Quran may be placed.
A bedside lamp.
A flask on the tray with two glasses.
c) Coffee table:
An ashtray with matchbox/lighter.
The house magazine or some other magazines and a newspaper.
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Room service menu.
d) Mini Bar:
Depending on the type of hotel, type of guest room as well as sometimes the profile of the guest
all/ some/none of these may be included,.
Mineral water bottles.
Beverages such as liquor and soft drinks.
Ice trays.
Some snacks.
e) Bathroom:
Monogrammed soaps, Shampoo bottles, Hair conditioners, Moisturizers, Cologne, Aftershave
lotion, Shower caps, Gargle glasses, Tissue box, Razor blades, Dental kit, Comb, body oil etc.
6. LINEN
All the launderable items which are used, maintained and stored by housekeeping department are
termed as Linen. E.g. bedsheets, pillowcovers, towels, napkins, table clothes etc.
On the basis of its use Linen can be grouped under the headings-
a) Guestroom Linen:
Linen used in bedrooms and bathrooms comes under this category. Hotels usually have their
logo printed or embroidered on their linen called monograms. Different sizes of bed sheets,
pillow covers, blankets, mattress protectors, duvet covers, bed spreads and bath linen like face
towels, hand towels and bath towels comes under this category.
b) F & B Linen
Linen used in restaurants, banquet halls like table clothes, napkins, waiter’s cloth, slip cloths,
runners, baize clothes, tray mats etc. comes under this group.
7. UNIFORMS
Uniforms are provided to the employees by the organization to maintain the well-groomed
appearance of the employee. It reflects the standard of the hotel and creates a good impression on
the guest. Uniform also enables the guest to identify staff and their position in the organization. It
is designed on the basis of several factors like ease in working, matching with the theme of the
area, practicality etc. and it differs from department to departments and across the designations
too. Housekeeping department is responsible to keep the logistics as well as cleaning of the
uniforms in most of the organizations. Uniform is a status symbol, creating a sense of
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belongingness in employees and thereby boosting their morale. Apart from the aesthetic appeal,
uniforms are frequently designed to suit the task that is carried out.
8. SUMMARY
Housekeeping department uses various material, agents, supplies and equipment that are termed
as housekeeping inventories. In this chapter we discussed about the recycled and non-recycled
inventories. The cleaning equipment have discussed under broad categorization of manual and
mechanical equipment. Nowadays there are new machines coming in that perform more than one
cleaning operations. Different types of cleaning agents are used in housekeeping in day to day
operations. Each cleaning agent serves a different purpose. Guest supplies have been listed with
their usual placements in guest rooms. Linen has been classified in guestroom linen and F&B
linen. Housekeeping department is also the custodian for staff uniform. All these housekeeping
inventory need periodic assessment regularly. Recycled inventory must be cleaned and
maintained properly to increase its life and perform to give quality results.
Pictures taken from:
http://www.betterlivingthroughdesign.com/accessories/housekeeping-brushes-2/
http://www.chamois.co.nz/
https://cormsquare.com/Scrubs-and-Wipes/Cloth-Items-/502/Glass-Cloth
http://www.yourhomedirect.co.uk/feminine-hygiene-bin-20-litre-sanibin-white-fhb20w-
c2x13702903
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jeYwdS7pPDc/UQWnYLmXRpI/AAAAAAAABbw/CG3_wC-
06Uo/s1600/blueplastictotecaddy.jpg
https://www.greatvacs.com/education/vacuum_types
http://www.asaihospitality.com/housekeeping.html