What is hotel housekeeping?
Hotel housekeeping is all about creating a clean, comfortable, and visually inviting environment for your guests. Housekeeping staff are the backbone of your operations team, ensuring that rooms, public spaces, and even back-of-house areas are spotless and welcoming.
Though often seen as “behind the scenes,” the housekeeping department plays a vital role in your hotel’s daily success. Their work - cleaning bathrooms, changing linens, sanitizing surfaces, restocking essentials, and so much more - directly impacts guest satisfaction. In essence, housekeeping is the heart of your hotel’s reputation, creating spaces where guests feel relaxed and cared for in their home away from home.
Why is a housekeeping checklist important?
A housekeeping checklist isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. It ensures tasks are completed efficiently, consistently, and to the highest standard. And when paired with tools like Mews housekeeping software, managing and updating checklists becomes even simpler.
Consistency
Standardization is critical in an industry with high staff turnover. A checklist ensures that tasks are consistent and role-specific, making it easy for new team members to hit the ground running. For guests, it guarantees the same high standard, no matter which room they stay in or who is on shift.
Quality control
Checklists help uphold your hotel’s standards by keeping essential tasks - like sanitizing surfaces and restocking supplies - top of mind. They also provide a clear record of completed work, making it easier to track quality and identify areas for improvement.
Efficiency and accountability
By following a systematic checklist, staff can work more efficiently, ticking off tasks as they go. This not only saves time but also ensures accountability, as supervisors can easily track who completed each task. If issues arise, it’s simple to pinpoint opportunities for coaching and development.
A powerful training tool
For new staff, a housekeeping checklist serves as a practical guide. It ensures they know exactly what to do, step by step, and helps them settle into their role with confidence. With a checklist in hand, they’ll never miss a task, no matter how busy the shift gets.
Ultimate hotel housekeeping checklist guide
Now that we’ve talked about why a housekeeping checklist is essential, let’s get to what you’ve been waiting for: a step-by-step guide. Below, you’ll find daily tasks, facility upkeep responsibilities, and regular maintenance routines designed to keep your hotel running smoothly and your guests delighted.
Consistency is key to creating a spotless and welcoming environment for your guests. These daily tasks will help maintain high standards and ensure nothing is overlooked:
- Strip the bed and remove used towels.
- Move furniture and clean behind and underneath it.
- Sanitize high-touch surfaces first, then clean thoroughly.
- Scrub and disinfect toilets.
- Clean mirrors until they shine.
- Deodorize the room.
- Look for stains on walls and furniture.
- Check drains, toilets, lights, electronics, and hot water for proper functioning, and ensure there are no leaks.
- Inspect electrical outlets and room appliances.
- Replace amenities and supplies.
- Remove trash and replace liners.
- Check for wear and tear on furniture.
- Vacuum upholstered furniture.
- Make the bed, ensuring linens are wrinkle-free.
- Dust moldings, light fixtures, and corners, removing any cobwebs.
- Sweep and mop hardwood floors, or vacuum carpeted areas.
- Document any maintenance needs and update your checklist.
Pro tip: Always start by knocking and identifying yourself. If no one responds after two knocks, announce “housekeeping” as you enter. For rooms with a "Do Not Disturb" sign, note it on your checklist and skip the refresh.
Then it’s time to get to work. Ventilate the room to remove any stuffy odors and ensure fresh air circulates - this also helps prevent bacteria from lingering. If it’s a check-out room, strip and replace bed linens, towels, and rugs. Refresh amenities like soap, shampoo, and toilet paper.
Once that’s done, focus on high-touch areas. Sanitize, clean, and remove any stains or dust. Dispose of trash, sweep and mop or vacuum, and finish with an inspection. Use your checklist to confirm every task is completed before moving on.
Facility upkeep tasks
Housekeeping extends beyond individual rooms—it’s about maintaining the entire hotel environment. Make these tasks part of your daily routine to keep common areas just as inviting as guest rooms:
- Clean and sanitize all public spaces.
- Vacuum floors in lobbies and hallways.
- Check reservations for special requests like champagne or flowers, and prepare accordingly.
- Deep clean and restock supplies in public bathrooms.
- Remove trash from all common areas.
- Launder towels, bed linens, and other fabrics.
- Sweep gardens, patios, and the hotel’s front entrance.
- Flag any maintenance issues for immediate attention.
Regular maintenance tasks
Not every housekeeping task needs to be done daily, but some require regular attention to maintain your hotel’s standards and extend the life of your assets. Schedule these tasks weekly, monthly, or seasonally, depending on your needs:
- Deep clean mattresses, mattress protectors, and pillows.
- Steam clean carpets and rugs.
- Clean and replace HVAC filters and vents.
- Inspect thermostats and perform regular maintenance.
- Polish hardwood floors to restore their shine.
- Wash and press curtains.
- Deep clean and sanitize furniture.
- Treat wooden surfaces with protective products.
- Use a drain snake to remove debris and prevent clogs.
- Replace worn or damaged appliances and linens.
Regular upkeep like this ensures your hotel remains in top condition, reduces long-term costs, and keeps guests coming back for more.
Conclusion
By following this checklist, your housekeeping team will operate like a well-oiled machine. Combined with smart housekeeping software, it’s easier than ever to track tasks, maintain quality, and deliver exceptional guest experiences - every single time.
Download our guide 10 Tips to Improve Your Housekeeping Operation
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