Unit 3.

Housekeeping Operations

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS AND SUPPLIES FOR HOUSEKEEPING OPERATIONS

With wide areas to clean and maintain by housekeeping staff, tools and equipment would aid
them to perform their tasks faster and easier.

Cleaning equipment comes in varying sizes, shapes, voltage and uses. Using the different
equipment would be beneficial for the housekeeping staff in the following ways:

1. Save cleaning time

2. Clean more efficiently than manual labor
3. Produce more output and reduce work fatigue
4. Reach corners, areas or heights that are difficult to reach by manual labor

CLASSIFICATION OF CLEANING EQUIPMENT

Cleaning equipment may be classified as manual cleaning equipment that does not need
electricity to function and electric cleaning equipment, which, based on the term, requires
electricity.

A. Manual Cleaning Equipment

Name Description and Uses
Chambermaid’s • This trolley is large enough to keep all the guestroom and guest bathroom
Trolley or supplies in an organized manner
Housekeeping • It is used to stock linens, equipment and supplies to clean and maintain
Trolley guestrooms
• This enables housekeeping staff to move around areas of responsibilities
carrying large number of items at a time
Mop and Mop • Mops can be made of cotton for high absorbing ability or synthetic and
Wringer made from different kinds like string mops, flat mops, dust mops
• Mops are used to keep the floors and other surfaces free from dust and
other impurities
• Mop wringer is a wheeled bucket that squeezes out water from the mop
without getting the hands dirty.
Carpet Sweeper • Used to pick up dirt and particles in carpeted floors
 Unit 3. Housekeeping Operations

B. Electric Cleaning Equipment

Name Description and Uses
• Most commonly used cleaning equipment in the housekeeping
department
• It comes with a suction motor fit in a case, a hose and various
Vacuum Cleaner attachments for different cleaning requirement
• It can be an upright vacuum cleaner, used to clean up dust particles in
carpeted floors or wet and dry vacuum cleaner (also called Hydro
vacuum), used for cleaning wet and dry surfaces
Floor Polisher • Used to add shine to the floors of frequently visited areas of the hotel
• It scrubs, and strips the floor from dirt, dust and other floor impurities
Floor Scrubber • An equipment for scrubbing stubborn and sticky stains on the floor that
cannot removed by a mop
Carpet Extractor • Used to dry shampoo carpets to remove dirt that sticks or penetrate into
the layers of the carpet
Floor dryer • Used to quickly dry carpets and floor after cleaning

C. Cleaning Tools and Materials

Name Description and Uses
Sponge • Used for cleaning fine surfaces
Note: Sponges used to clean plates should not be the same sponge used
to clean surfaces
Scouring pads • For scrubbing walls, glass mirrors, painted surfaces and other surfaces
Cleaning towels • Used to dry walls, sinks and other surfaces after cleaning
• Also used to dust surfaces and walls
Note: White is normally used in housekeeping operation
Polishing cloth • Used to polish metal and glass surfaces
Feather duster • Used to lightly dust furniture, fixture, surfaces and walls
Squeegee • Used to remove excessive water from surfaces like glass windows to
speed up drying
Spray bottles • Used as container for the different cleaning chemicals.
• Normally comes in different color to have the distinction of the chemical
contained
Broom • Used for sweeping floors
• There are two type: Soft broom which are for fine and smooth floor
surfaces and stick broom which are used for rough and course surfaces
Ceiling broom • Used to remove dust and cobwebs in the ceiling
Hand brush • Used to scrub dust from surfaces like walls, sinks, floors
Toilet bowl brush • Used for cleaning the toilet bowl
Grout brush • Used to scrub cleavages on in between tiles
Plunger • Used to clear blockages in drains pipes, and toilet bowl.
Dust pan • Used to scoop dirt and waste on the floor
Trash bin • Used to keep garbage in one place
Trash bag • Plastic that will serve as under liner for garbage container
Tong • Used to pick up cigarette butts and other objects for sanitary and safety
purpose
Note: The tongs used in the kitchen or food service should never be used
for cleaning purpose
Caution sign • Used to notify or remind people of slip and fall hazard when cleaning
floors
Caddy box • Used as a container for cleaning tools and chemicals
Gloves • Used to protect the hands while performing tasks involving chemicals
Water dipper • Used to scoop out water from a bucket while cleaning
 Unit 3. Housekeeping Operations

CLEANING AGENTS

Aside from tools and equipment, housekeeping department also uses cleaning chemicals in
ensuring cleanliness and sanitation in the establishment. It helps in removing offensive odor and
avoids the spread of dirt and contaminants. These chemicals may be in the form of liquid,
powder or sometimes blocks which are diluted.
1. Water
The most common and widely used agent. It is useful in rinsing and finishing cleaning
processes
2. Vinegar
Vinegar is a sour liquid that act as a mild acid unaffected by hard water and. Though this
is not used in majority of the lodging properties, it is useful in removing light stains.
3. All-purpose Cleaner
All-purpose cleaner is a cleaning agent that is gentle enough that it doesn’t damage
surfaces, but effective in removing stains, dirt, and grease in most surfaces
4. Glass Cleaner
Used to clean glass surfaces. Others use the traditional water-and-paper technique as a
cheaper alternative but it causes scratches to some glass surface.
5. Bathroom Cleaner
Chemicals that contain phosphoric acid used to clean and disinfect the bathroom walls,
bathtubs, bathroom flooring, tiles, sinks and showers.
6. Drain Cleaner
A drain cleaner is a chemical product that unblocks sewer pipes or clogged wastewater
drains or slowly flowing drains.
7. Disinfectants
Chemical agents that destroy disease-causing microorganisms on surfaces. It is used in
toilet bowls, urinals, sinks and other areas that are most open to bacterial contamination.
8. Polishes
Polishes are used in hotels as last option for cleaning purposes which are used on various
surfaces such as floors, furniture, leather and even metals. Polishes provide a protective
and shining covering to the surface in the property along with proper cleanliness. Polishes
could be classified into three:
a. Spirit-based – best applicable in metal mirrors, window panes and bakelite
b. Oil-based – works well with stained, wax polished or painted wood, linoleum and
synthetic floor, cork or wood waste, leather and leather substitute, enameled tiles
and lacquered metals
c. Water-based – used on sealed floors, thermoplastic floors and rubber flooring
9. Deodorizers/ Air freshener
It counteracts stale foul odors leaving a clean air-freshened effects. It eliminates odors
and pungent smell in the areas of the hotel.
10. Degreaser
Used in removing thick oily substances, dirt carbon, ink, mildew, soils and waxes
11. Floor sealer
Particularly used in floors that are busy and experience heavy traffic such as hallways,
lobby, and corridors among others. This chemical prevent wear to the surface, remove
 Unit 3. Housekeeping Operations

stains, dirt and grit and beautify the floor. This agent restores the original look and shine
of the floor.
12. Hydrochloric acid (Muriatic Acid)
Although useful in removing stubborn stains in bathrooms and fabrics it is not advisable
to be used often because it is very strong and can damage surfaces.
13. Abrasives
Substances and material used to grind, smoothen, sharpen and polish various materials.
Common abrasive includes
a. Silver sand, steel wool, glass paper – used in cases of removing stains on plain
wood, stone or cement floors
b. Emery powder or paper - suitable for removing rust from steel
c. Pumice powder – used for removing stains from sinks and bathtubs
14. Carpet stain remover
Used to remove stain or spot on carpets
15. Laundry chemicals
a. Detergents
Used to remove soil and dirt in uniforms, linens, and other cloth used in the hotel
operation. Detergents are normally harmless for skin. It may come powder, bar or
liquid forms.
b. Bleach
Normally used for laundry purpose that helps in maintain the original color of
white linens and to remove stains.
c. Softener
Contains antistatic and bacteriostatic agents that leaves the laundered items fresh
and soft.
16. Pesticides
A chemical used to control or eliminate pests. These are classified according to the type
of pest they control.
a. Insecticides
Housekeeping personnel use insecticides to protect their plants from insect
damage. It is also used in hotels to control pests like ants, flies, moths, cockroach
and termites
b. Herbicides
Chemicals used to control weeds or other unwanted plants. Used in recreational
areas like garden, ponds, and lakes
c. Fungicides
Fungicides are sprayed or dusted to kill fungal growth like rusts, mildews, smuts
and molds. Fabrics are sprayed with fungicides to prevent rotting.
d. Rodenticides
These chemicals are chiefly used in areas infested with rats and other rodent
which are health hazard