Housekeeping

Housekeeping gives a healthy, clean, hygienic and attractive environment. Whether guests return depends a lot on it. Many offices now hire housekeeping on contract: a chance for enterprise.

Its functions: cleaning public areas and guest rooms; linen and uniforms; flower arrangement and landscaping; coordination through the control desk; and pest control.

Its sections: the control desk, management, the guest-room team, the public-area team, the linen and uniform room, horticulture and flowers, and lost and found.

Staff: the executive housekeeper; an assistant housekeeper for each shift; the desk control supervisor (24 hours; works with the front office); floor supervisors; room attendants; housemen (heavy cleaning); a public area supervisor; a florist or gardener; and a linen room supervisor.

Cleaning is daily, weekly, monthly or seasonal, with the right tools (vacuum cleaners, brushes, mops, trolleys) and agents (detergents, washing soda, ammonia, vinegar, polishes, acids). Agents must be chosen carefully for each surface: wood, granite, marble, tiles, vinyl, leather. For example, an acid cleaner can damage marble.

Many hotels now go green: organic cotton linen, non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning agents, cards asking guests to reuse towels, and energy-efficient bulbs. Clean, hygienic, beautiful and green.