What is hotel housekeeping?
Hotel housekeeping involves more than just cleaning rooms — it covers every part of your property, from the lobby to guest rooms, common spaces and restaurants. Ultimately, this department ensures that your hotel upholds its reputation and standards and reassures guests that their comfort is a priority.
Why is housekeeping important for hotels?
Housekeeping directly influences guest satisfaction and, by extension, your hotel’s reputation. Cleanliness contributes to positive reviews, repeat business and ensures compliance with health and safety standards.
What are the responsibilities of housekeeping in a hotel?
The housekeeping department is responsible for a wide range of tasks, including:
- Room cleaning and preparation
- Maintaining common areas
- Laundry services
- Managing supplies and inventory
- Quality control and responding to service requests
These tasks, although often behind the scenes, are essential for creating a seamless guest experience.
Best tips when cleaning a hotel room and bathroom
A clear, well-structured cleaning process ensures both consistency and efficiency. By using a checklist, staff can follow each step carefully, leaving no detail overlooked. Hotel housekeeping software further enhances this by streamlining communication and providing real-time updates, helping staff work more efficiently.
As for cleaning strategies, a key rule is to always disinfect surfaces before cleaning. Regular deep cleaning every few months is also essential — this includes tasks like steam cleaning furniture, airing out mattresses and laundering mattress protectors.
Air out the room
Fresh air does wonders. Begin by opening windows and doors to ventilate the space. This helps remove odors, circulates fresh air and provides a cleaner environment. Stripping the beds and allowing mattresses and pillows to breathe should be part of this process as well.
Don’t neglect hidden spots
Some areas are easy to miss, like under beds or behind sofas. Grime can accumulate in these hidden spaces. Make sure to also focus on details like the toilet’s base and joints, towel rails and even the remote control, which can harbor dust and germs.
Dust before vacuuming
Start by dusting all surfaces before vacuuming. This ensures you capture any dust that settles, leaving the room completely clean.
Clean floors last
Once everything else is spotless, tackle the floors. Start in the farthest corner and work your way to the door, ensuring you don’t track dirt back through. Whether it’s vacuuming carpets or mopping hardwood, clean floors are the final touch.
Essential equipment and products
To make housekeeping efficient, a well-stocked trolley is essential. This should include bedding, towels, toiletries and cleaning supplies like disinfectants, dust cloths and vacuum cleaners. Don’t forget the guest amenities — fresh mugs, bathmats and minibar refills all play a part in creating a polished guest experience.
The importance of a cleaning checklist
A cleaning checklist ensures nothing is missed and creates consistency across the team. It also makes housekeeping more efficient by clearly defining tasks, improving accountability and helping staff manage their time. When everyone follows the same plan, you reduce the chances of oversights and ensure a higher standard of cleanliness.
How can Mews housekeeping software help your hotel?
Now that you know how housekeeping works and some of the best ways to optimize the department, let’s look at how hotel housekeeping software can help you. With an integrated, modern solution like Mews property management system, it’s easy to work productively, reduce your costs and dramatically improve the overall guest experience.
Streamline communication
Housekeeping software allows your team to stay updated on what needs their attention and to prioritize tasks based on real-time arrival and departure information.
Manage tasks on the go
With mobile access, housekeepers can update room statuses instantly, letting the front desk know when rooms are ready for check-in. You can also assign tasks based on changing schedules, like early arrivals or late check-outs.
Real-time updates
Real-time updates keep everyone in sync. With the ability to track live room status, current and upcoming reservations, and see which rooms need priority cleaning, it's easy to stay on top of tasks without ever breaking a sweat.
Keep up your commitment to sustainability
With Mews, guests are also given the option to opt out of daily cleanings during check-in, reducing unnecessary laundry and cleaning. This not only cuts costs and saves time but also supports your hotel’s commitment to sustainability by minimizing water and energy usage.
Conclusion
We've covered the essential aspects of hotel housekeeping, from its key responsibilities to actionable tips and the role that technology plays in this. With a well-run housekeeping department, you’ll not only streamline operations but also enhance the guest experience and ensure a higher level of satisfaction. When your housekeeping team operates smoothly, it sets the foundation for a successful, well-maintained property.
Download our guide "10 tips to improve your housekeeping operation"
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