Chapter-3 :-Cleaning Organization

A.)PRINCIPLES OF CLEANING, HYGIENE AND SAFETY FACTORS IN CLEANING:-

(1)  All soil should be removed.                   

(2) Soil should be removed without harming the surface.

(3)The surface should be restored to its original state after cleaning process.

(4) The cleaning process should be efficient, using minimum equipments , agents , labour and time.

(5) The simplest method should be tried first.

(6) The least harmful cleaning methods should be used.

(7) While cleaning an area, start with cleaner surfaces and then go for cleaning more heavily soiled surfaces.

(8) While wet cleaning or polishing the floor, the cleaner should walk backwards.

(9) Suction cleaning should be preferred wherever possible.

(10) Noise levels should be kept low as far as possible while cleaning.

(11) Stains should be removed as soon as they occur.

(12) The cleaner should take all safety precautions while cleaning.

(13) After cleaning process is over, all equipment should be washed or wiped , dried and stored properly.

(14) The cleaning agents should be replenished and stored.

(B) METHODS OF ORGANISING CLEANING :-

For cleaning to be efficient, it must be well organised. Different ways of organising cleaning are outlined below:-

(i) Orthodox/Traditional Cleaning :- In this way of cleaning , a room attendant complete all the tasks in one guestroom before going to next room in the section allotted to him.

(ii) Block cleaning :- In this way of cleaning room attendant moves from room to room and completes same task in every room.

(iii) Team cleaning :-  In this method, two or more people work together in same area.

(C) FREQUENCY OF CLEANING:-

Cleaning task may be divided according to the frequency of their scheduling which depends upon level of soiling, type of surface, amount of traffic, type of hotel and cleaning standard etc.

(i) Daily Cleaning :-

These are the routine operations carried out on a day to day basis by staff of the housekeeping department. This includes the regular servicing of guestrooms, suction cleaning of floors etc.

(ii)  Weekly cleaning :-

These are routine tasks carried out on a weekly basis. This includes polishing of metal surfaces, dusting of hard to reach areas etc.

(iii) Periodic cleaning:-

These are carried out on monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annual basis. This may include carpet shampooing, washing of walls, chandelier cleaning etc.

(iv) Deep cleaning { Special cleaning}:-

Deep cleaning refers to intensive cleaning schedule in which periodic cleaning tasks are scheduled for monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annual frequencies. Deep cleaning include some tasks that require housekeeping department to work in coordination with maintenance department. Deep cleaning tasks may includes:-

·         Carpet shampooing.

·         Vacuum cleaning upholstery, mattress and bed base.

·         Polishing of furniture.

·         Cleaning hard to reach areas.

·         Chandelier cleaning.

·         Cleaning of walls, windows etc.

(v) Spring cleaning :-

This is a term used for periodic annual clean of hotel guestrooms or other areas carried out in off season periods. Intensive cleaning tasks may have to be carried out for which an entire floor of rooms will have to be taken off sale at a time. It may include the following:-

·         Removal of all guest supplies, soft furnishing and carpet from rooms.

·         Sending launderable articles to laundry.

·         Polishing wooden furniture.

·         Upholstery shampooing.

·         Floor polishing.

·         Repainting wall.

·         Thorough cleaning of lighting fixtures, air conditioning vents and windows.

·         Vacuum cleaning the mattress.

·         Restock guest supplies.

(D) DESIGN FEATURES THAT SIMPLIFY CLEANING:-

(i) Smooth textures, straight, neat, and smooth lines and medium toned colours are some of the design features in a surface that make for easier cleaning.

(ii) Furniture should be designed in such a way that cleaning under and behind them is easy.

(iii) Bed frames should not have a raised edge.

(iv) In carpets, shorter the carpet pile, the easier the cleaning.

(v) Upholstery should have minimum of decorative features.

(vi) Surface such as solid woods are now being replaced by laminated wood.

 (vii) Laminated brass surfaces are easier to maintain as they do not require regular polishing.

(E) USE AND CARE OF EQIPMENTS:-

Ø  Cleaning equipments:-

Efficient cleaning and maintenance are dependent upon high quality cleaning equipment, correctly used.

Equipment used in cleaning of surfaces, furniture and fitting in a hotel building include both manual and mechanical equipment.

(a) Manual Equipments:-

Manual equipments can include all types of equipment that clean by directly using energy of employees.

(i) Brushes:-

These are designed to remove dust and dirt from hard or soft surfaces.

·         Parts of Brush:-

Ø  Bristles:- Horse hair, nylon etc are used to make bristles for cleaning brushes.

Ø  Head stock:- This is the part of the brush in which bristles are inserted. The stock may be made of wood, metal or plastic.

Ø  Handle:- Brush handles may be detachable or non-detachable.

·         Types of Brushes:-

Ø  Hard Brushes:- Hard brushes have bristles that are fairly stiff. They are most suitable for removal of heavy soil from carpets and for cleaning rough surfaces.

Ø  Soft Brushes:- Soft brushes have bristles that are fairly flexible and set close together. These help to remove loose soil from hard and smooth surface.

Ø  Scrubbing brush:- Scrubbing brushes have short, coarse bristles designed for use on surface that have become stained.

·         Types of Brushes on the basis  of function:-

Ø  Toilet Brushes:- These are WC brushes.

Ø  Bottle Brush:- These are used for cleaning washbasin and bathtub.

Ø  Desk Scrubber:- These are used for cleaning large areas.

Ø  Carpet Brush:- Carpet brush are used for brushing carpets.

Ø  Feather Brush:- These are brushes with feathers for light dusting.

Ø  Hearth Brush:- These are used for cleaning heavy soiling and removing ash out of fire places.

·         Care and cleaning of Brushes:-

Brushes should be gently tapped on a hard surface to loosen dust and debris after cleaning process. Frequently washing with water is avoidable. A disinfectant should be added to rinsing water for toilet brushes. The best way would be to hang the brushes bristles downward.

(ii) Brooms:- Brooms consists of  long bristles gathered together and inserted into a handle. The bristles of a broom may be made of grass, corn or coconut fibre.

·         Types of Broom:-

Ø  Soft Brooms:- Soft brooms such as corn fibre brooms, grass brooms etc are used on smooth floors.

Ø  Hard Brooms:- Brooms such as yard brooms and coconut fibre brooms are used on hard surface.

Ø  Wall Brooms:- These are also called coiling brooms. They have soft head and long handle. These brooms are used to remove cobwebs and dust.

·         Care and cleaning of brooms:- Brooms should be shaken free of dust. Store brooms lying horizontally.

(iii) Box Sweepers:-  These are also called carpet sweepers and are used for sweeping up dust from soft floor coverings. The dusts get thrown up into built in dustpans which are hinged at the bottom to facilitate emptying after use.

·         Care and cleaning of box sweeper:-

The brush should be kept clean. After cleaning, the dustpans should be emptied.

(iv) Dry mops:- These are designed to remove soil and debris from floors, walls and ceilings. These mops consists of a handle to which metal frame is attached.

·         Types of dry mops:-

Ø  Mops with impregnated fringes:- These mops consists of cotton fringes inserted  into metal frame.

Ø  Impregnated mop sweeper:- These mops consists of a double hinged frame

Ø  Static mops:- These mops consists of strands fixed to a backing stretched over a metal frame.

Ø  Disposal mops:- These mops consist of a handle with soft pad at the end onto which cheap cotton or synthetic material is affixed. The fabric is disposed after each use and replaced.

·         Care and cleaning of dry mop:- Shake mop well after the use outdoors.

(iv) Wet mops:- These mops are used in conjunction with buckets for removal of dirt.

Ø  Do-all mops:- These mops consists of strands of twisted cotton fixed to a circular metal plate which in turn is fixed to a stock.

Ø  Kentucky mops:- These mops consists of cotton strands fixed to a length of cotton fabric which in turn inserted into flat metal stock.

Ø  Sponge mops:- These consists of sponge fixed to a replaceable head attached to a long handle.

Ø  Squeegee:- It consists of a long metallic handle and a wooden or rubber blade to remove excess moisture from surface being cleaned.

Care and cleaning of wet mops:-Take mops outdoors after use and shake well to remove excess moisture. Store sponge head by hanging.

(vi) Cloths:-

·         Types of cloths:-

Ø  Dusters:- These are meant for dusting and buffing. When used for damp dusting, they must be sprayed with water or chemical.

Ø  Swabs:- These are all purpose clothes made of soft and absorbent material.

Ø  Scrim :- This is a linen material. It is used for cleaning mirror and windows.

Ø  Glass cloth:- Glass cloths do not leave behind lint. They can be used for wiping mirrors and glasses.

Ø  Rags and polishing cloth:- Rags are disposable cloths. They are used for applying polish and are disposed of when dirty.

Ø  Wet cloths:- It need to be very absorbent and used for mopping large floor areas.

Ø  Chamois leather:- Real chamois leather is the skin of chamois goat. It can be used wet for cleaning mirrors and windows. It can be used dry for polishing silver and other metals.

Ø  Dust sheets:- These are made of thin cotton material. Discarded linen are ideal for use as dust sheets. They are used to cover floors, furniture and other articles.

Ø  Druggets:- They are placed on floor in doorways to present excessive dirt during bad weather.

Ø  Hearth and bucket cloths:- These are made of thick fabrics and used to protect carpet or flooring or placed under buckets to prevent marks on surface they are kept on.

(vii) Polish applicators:-

·         Types of polish applicators:-

Ø  Natural lambswool

Ø  Synthetic wool

Ø  Solid wax

·         Care and cleaning:- It should not be washed with water. Wipe away excess polish with newspaper before its dries.

(viii) Containers:-

·         Types of containers:-

Ø  Buckets :- Buckets should not be washed everytime , they are used and allowed to dry before being stored.

Ø  Basin and bowls :- They are used to carry small amount of water, cleaning solutions for cleaning small areas.

Ø  Dustpans :- These are used in conjuction with broom for gathering dust. They should always emptied after use and washed.

Ø  Dustbins :- Dustbins may be lined with disposable inner lining made of paper or plastic . These dustbins must be emptied and wiped daily.

Ø  Sanibin :- These are metal or plastic bins with lids. They are found in washrooms. They should be lined with paper or plastic for easy cleaning. The sanibin must be emptied and wiped daily.

Ø  Spray bottles :- These are light weight containers that deliver spray of water or cleaning solution through fine nozzle.

Ø  Polish applicator spray :- These are used in conjuction with polish applicator mop for polishing floors. Soak the tray in small amount of solvent used to remove that particular polish.

Ø  Hand caddies :- They consist of a box with a handle and fitted tray. They are used for carrying cleaning supplies.

Ø   Carts and Trolleys :- These are ideal for efficient removal aand carriage of  cleaning equipments, Agent, Linen etc. The various kinds of trolleys that may be used in the housekeeping department are :-

·         Maid’s cart / Room attendant cart :- Also called room attendant trolley or chamber maid trolley. It is like a giant tool box stocked with everything necessary to service a guestroom. The ideal cart would have fixed wheels at one end and castor wheel at the other end.

·         Janitor trolley :- This is used for carting and storing cleaning supplies. It include a detachable tresh bag and a place for storing cleaning agents and cleaning equipments.

·         Mop wringer trolley :-It consist of a mop and one bucket with an attached wringer on a trolley with castor wheels.

·         Linen trolley :- These are used for transfer of clean linen from laundry to linen room and from linen rooms to pantries.

(ix) Sundry equipments :-  This includes other miscellaneous pieces of equipments used in housekeeping department – Ladders, Carpet beaters, abrasive pads , rubber gloves , airing racks , flit pumps and choke removers.

·         Ladders :-ladders are made of wood , metal etc. Ladder should be stored in a sheltered area away from the sun and rain. All ladders should be kept free of oil, grease, wet point and slip hazards. Ladders should be carefully inspected before each use.

·         Carpet beater :- beating of carpets sometimes become necessity. While beating , it is best to place carpets and rugs with their naps down on the grass.

·         Abrasive pad:- These are available as nylon netting pads suitable for removal of soiling by abrasion.

·         (b) Mechanical Equipments :-

(1) Vacuum cleaner:- Vacuum cleaner removes debris, soil etc from a surface by suction. A motor drives an impeller, which sucks in air through an inlet, creating a difference in pressure between air within an outside the machine. The dust is collected into a container which may be enclosed within the machine.

Types of vacuum cleaner :-

Ø  Dry vacuum cleaner :- These are used for removing dust and debris from the floors, upholstery , walls , ceilings , and furnishings. Many types of dry vacuum cleaners are :-

·         Electric brooms :- These are light weight vacuum cleaner without a motor. They are used for touch ups on carpets and hard floors.

·         Dustettes :- These are small, light weight vacuum cleaners used for cleaning curtains , upholstery , carpets , mattress , computers etc. They clean by brushing and suction and are very easy to handle.

·         Back pack vacuum :- These are efficient for cleaning hard to reach areas. It can be easily strapped to back of the operator. They are ideal for use on curtains , drapes and ceiling corners. These are also called as piggyback vacuums.

·         Upright vacuums :- It is driven by a single motor. The dust bag is outside the machine’s main body. This machine is most suitable for use on large carpeted areas.

·         Cylindrical vacuums :- It works by suction only. The dust bag is inside the cylindrical body of vacuum cleaner.

·         Pile lifter Vacuum :- These are used to groom long-pile carpets.

·         Centralized vacuum :- Suction is generated at one point in a building. Soiling can be removed at vacuum points by nozzles. The collected dirt is conveyed by network of pipes to a central container.

Ø  Wet and dry vacuum cleaners :- They can pick up spills and excess wash water when on wet mode. When on dry mode , they help in removal of dust and debris. They are ideal for cleaning lobbies, banquets and restaurants.

Care and storage :- Vacuum cleaners will give maximum cleaning efficiency when they are maintained well. The wheels of machine needs to be oiled periodically. After use, dust bags should be checked and emptied. Clean the attachments after each use. Check the filter after use.

In case of wet vacuum cleaners , the bucket should be washed , rinsed and dried. The squeegee should be wiped clean and replaced when necessary. The hose , casing and wheels need to be cleaned.

Ø  General purpose floor machines :-

These are designed for scrubbing , buffing , burnishing , scarifying  and spray maintenance.

·         Scrubbing :- The bristle tips of a brush abrade and remove soilage.

·         Buffing :- The bristle tips of a brush create a high gloss finish on floor surface .

·         Burnishing :-The tips of a brush abrade and cut floor surface to create a smooth surface.

·         Scarifying :- The bristle tips or edge of a cutting tool cut into soilage removing it.

·         Spray cleaning :- The bristle tips of a brush remove abrade and cut soilage from surface.

·         Spray burnishing :- The bristle tips of a brush remove soilage and surface layer of polish to leave smooth , glossy surface.

These machines consist of one large or several small brushes that scrub the floor. Water and detergent are released from tank attached to machine.

Care and storage of general purpose machines :-

The brushes and pads should never be left on the machine after cleaning. The fluff should be removed from them before washing. The pads should be washed , rinsed and dried. The tank should be emptied , washed and dried. The wheels need to be oiled.

Ø  Wet extraction systems :- These machines are used to restore surface appearance of carpets , upholstery and curtains.

Ø  Carpet shampoo machine :- These machines are designed for deep cleaning of carpets.

Ø  Scrubber drier sweepers :-These machines removes debries , soilage etc. They are suitable for large areas.

Ø  High pressure washer :- This is designed  to remove soilage by using water , steam or sand under pressure.

Ø  Scarifying machine :- It is the process by which heavy grease , mud etc are removed from surface of floor.