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THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Principal Investigator Prof. S. P. Bansal,

Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi University, Rewari

Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Prashant K. Gautam,

Director, UIHTM, Panjab University, Chandigarh

Paper Coordinator Prof. Ashish Dahiya

Director, IHTM

Maharshi Dayananad University, Rohtak, Haryana

Content Writer Mr. Pankaj Singh

IHM

Tilyar Tourist Complex, Rohtak, Haryana

Content Reviewer Prof. S.C. Bagri

Director, Centre for Mountain Tourism & Hospitality Studies

HNB Garhwal University, Uttarakhand

Paper 06: Hotel Housekeeping

Module 10: Housekeeping Inventories

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ITEMS DESCRIPTION OF MODULE

Subject Name Tourism & Hospitality

Paper Name Hotel Housekeeping

Module Title Housekeeping Inventories

Module Id Module no-10

Pre- Requisites Basic knowledge about Housekeeping department

Objectives To study different categories of inventories of the housekeeping

department

Keywords Inventories, Housekeeping, cleaning agents, cleaning equipment, linen,

uniform

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Learning Outcome

2. Introduction

3. Cleaning Equipment

3.1 Manual Equipment

3.2 Mechanical Equipment

4. Cleaning Agents

5. Guest Supplies

6. Linen

7. Uniform

8. Summary

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QUADRANT-I

1. LEARNING OUTCOME

After completing this module students will be able to:

i. Classify different articles, supplies and equipment under housekeeping inventories,

ii. Find out the various types of equipment used in housekeeping department and classify

them,

iii. Explain the different cleaning agents and their uses,

iv. Identify guest supplies and their placement in a guest room,

v. Describe numerous types of linen used by housekeeping department.

2. INTRODUCTION

All the purchased supplies of cleaning agents, equipment, linen, uniform and other articles that

are procured for future use in the housekeeping department are referred as housekeeping

supplies. These procured supplies can be classified into two categories:

1. Recycles Inventories

2. Non Recycled Inventories

The equipment or items that are used in the house keeping department again and again during the

operations are called recycled inventories like manual and mechanical cleaning equipment.

While the items that are consumed during the course of operation of housekeeping department

are called Non-recycled inventories like cleaning agents, polishes etc.

Housekeeping Inventories

Recycled

Inventories

Non Recycled Inventories

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TYPES OF HOUSE KEEPING INVENTORIES

3. CLEANING EQUIPMENT

Although a small percentage of cost goes into the purchase of the cleaning equipment, a careful

selection for the correct choice is important to enhance productivity and efficiency of the

department. The equipment must be chosen on the basis of the requirement of the surfaces. The

quality and type of equipment chosen can save expenses on breakdowns and also save labour and

time. Selecting the ideal equipment plays a major role in the cleaning process. Equipment must

be purchased keeping in mind the following points:

Quality and reliability of equipment

Cost factor

Maintenance of the equipment should be easy

Warranty provided by the company

Ease of operation

Efficiency of the equipment etc.

Cleaning equipment can be classified into manual and mechanical equipment.

3.1 Manual equipment: These equipment perform its operation manually by the workers.

Brushes, brooms and mops are examples of manual cleaning

3.1.1 Brushes

Different types of brushes are used to clean different surfaces. Any type of brush will have 3

parts- Bristles, Head stock and handle. The softness or hardness of a brush decides on what type

of surface it is meant for. Bristles can be of animal hair or fabric based. Soft bristles of fiber or

nylon are used for carpets. Short coarse brushes are used for scrubbing purpose of hard surfaces.

Head stock is the part which has the bristles inserted in. Handles are for having a good grip while

cleaning the surface.

On the basis of their functions brushes can be of following types:

Toilet brushes,

Cloth scrubber brush,

Carpet brushes,

Upholstery brushes,

Feather brushes,

Wall brush,

Sink brush.

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Care and Maintenance of Brushes Regular washing should be done to keep brushes free from

dust, dirt and hairs. They should be washed in mild soapy lather. Brushes should be washed by

gently tapping the head up and down, with the bristles facing downwards, so that the water

splashes up between the tufts. They should be rinsed well in cold water. Once excess water has

been shaken off, they should be left to dry in such a way that the remaining water may drip-off

the side of the brush or the top of the head stock. Brushes should always be kept with bristles

side up. When possible, dry brushes in the sun or open air.

3.1.2 Brooms have long bristles that can be hard or soft knotted together at one end and inserted

into a handle. Brooms are used for removing dust or dirt in large areas.

Different types of brooms are:

Wall brooms: This type of brooms have soft bristles and a long handle to reach the corners of

ceiling, mainly used to clean cobwebs and dust from higher areas that are not accessible easily.

Soft Brooms: They have soft fiber or grass as bristles and are used to clean smooth surfaces

where removing dust is relatively easier.

Hard Broom: This type of broom has coconut fiber long bristles used to remove dust from

rough surfaces. They may have a long handle to ease cleaning of dust from outdoors.

Care and maintenance:

Brooms should never be stored keeping vertically bristle side down. They should be stored

horizontally. Soft brooms should not be used on wet surfaces. Brooms should be stored after

removing dust, dirt and soil by shaking it to fluff off the soil.

3.1.3 Mops and clothes: Mops are used for dusting different type of surfaces and to clean them.

They are designed to remove soil and debris from floors, walls and ceiling without raising and

dispersing dust.

Mops with impregnated fringes.

Static mops.

Kentucky mops.

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Sponge mops.

Squeegee.

Foss mops

Different types of Cloths: Different types of clothes are used in both wet and dry cleaning of

the surfaces.

Duster: Dusters are used for dusting and buffing surfaces. They are soft, absorbent and of cotton

material. They should be washed, rinsed and dried to keep clean.

Swabs and wipes: these are used for damp dusting or wet cleaning of surfaces and sanitary

fittings like wash basins, bathtubs etc. They are soft and absorbent. They should be washed in

hot detergent and then rinsed and dried.

Scrim: It is soft and lint free loosely woven cloth, mostly used in windows and glass cleaning.

Glass cloth: These special clothes do not produce any lint when used. They can be used for

wiping drinking glasses, mirrors etc.

Rags: Rags are disposable clothes that have ended their lifecycle. These are used for polishing or

applying hard cleaning agents. They are usually disposed off after use.

Dust sheets: They are discarded bed sheets and are used to cover the furniture or other areas

during spring cleaning.

Druggets: It is a coarse woolen fabric felted or woven. The term is applied to a coarse fabric

having a cotton warp and a wool filling, used for rugs, tablecloths etc. They are placed on the

floor in doorways to prevent excessive dirt being tracked in or out during bad weather and during

redecorating projects. They are sometimes placed in the passage between the kitchen and dining

area to catch spills.

Chamois Leather: It is the skin of the chamois goat in actual, but now several cheaper

imitations are available. Chamois leather can be used wet for cleaning windows and mirrors,

when dry; it is used as a polishing cloth for silver and other metals. It is also ideal for wiping

squeegee blades. It should be cleaned with newspaper, when necessary can be washed in cold

water only.

3.1.4 Containers

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Containers are given to staff to carry, transport, collect and store supplies and other items to ease

their job.

Types of containers:

Buckets, Basins and bowls: They are used to carry water and other cleaning materials. Plastic

buckets are preferred as they are light weight and easy to carry. Large buckets can have castor

wheels or trollies for movements. Basin and bowls are used to carry small amount of water or

solutions for cvleaning purposes.

Dustpan and Dust-bins: Dustpans are used with a

broom to carry the accumulated dust. Their edge in

contact with floor must be very thin to take all the dust

particles. Dustbins are provided in different areas by the

housekeeping department and should be emptied and

washed periodically. The housekeeping department is

concerned with dustbins in guest rooms, service rooms,

public areas like guest corridor and lobbies etc.

Sani-bins: Sani bins are metal or plastic bins with lids, used in toilets for the collection of soiled

sanitary towels. They are lined with plastic or paper bags for easy cleaning. Sani bins should be

emptied and washed and wiped daily for sanitary reasons.

Spray bottles- These are light weight containers that deliver a fine

spray of cleaning solution through a fine nozzle on the surface area

to be cleaned.

Hand caddies: Earlier hand caddies were made up of wood or

metal, but now they are replaced with plastic ones. It has a box, a

fitted tray and handle. It contains all the cleaning material that are

required in cleaning different surfaces. They must be cleaned after each shift.

Maid’s cart- This is the most significant piece of equipment in

housekeeping department. It is like a tool Box, stocked with

everything necessary to service a guest room effectively. There are

3 deep shelves-the lower 2 for linen and top partitioned shelf for

small supplies. It has a sack for soiled linen, detachable trash bags,

storage space for a vacuum cleaner.

Janitor’s trolley: This trolley has cleaning supplies that are required to clean public areas or

special cleaning of a guestroom.

Mop-wringer trolley: It has a mop, buckets with a wringer all mounted on a trolley.It may have

provision to keep cleaning agents.

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Linen trolley: Used to transfer linen from laundry to linen room and from linen room to floor

pantries.

Miscellaneous Housekeeping equipment:

This includes other pieces of equipment used in the housekeeping department –

Different types of Ladders like stepladders, extension ladders, roof ladders etc

Carpet beaters.

Abrasive pads.

Rubber gloves.

Airing racks.

Choke removers.

3.2 Mechanical Equipment

The various mechanical equipment used in the housekeeping department are mostly powered by

electricity. The staff should be well trained in the operation of these equipment to enhance their

efficiency and prevent any accidents.

3.2.1 Vacuum cleaner/ Suction cleaner:

Vacuum cleaners are the most common equipment of cleaning use by housekeeping department.

They are suitable for all kind of surfaces but are suitable for those areas having large carpet area.

They remove debris and soil and water from a surface by suction.

All vacuum cleaners work on the same principle. In all types, motor drives an impeller, which

sucks in air through an inlet creating a difference in pressure between the air within and outside

the machine. Air is drawn in from the inlet passes through and out of the machine. It comes with

different attachment and nozzles. The air is sucked in together with soil, debris or water. The

dust is collected into a container provided, which may be within or outside of the machine.

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Handled vacuum cleaner or Dustette: These are small, lightweight vacuum cleaners carried in

the hand and used for cleaning curtains, upholstery edges, mattresses, computers and music

systems. They clean by brushing and suction and are very easy to handle.

Backpack vacuums: Back Pack Vacuum are lightweight and ergonomic backpack system,

which can be adjusted according to the operators preferences, makes working with such types of

vacuum convenient and therefore increases productivity. These types of cleaners are mainly used

for cleaning curtains, mattresses, computers and music systems. They clean by brushing and

suction and are very easy to handle. They can be either carried in hand or strapped to the back of

the housekeeping attendants.

Electrical brooms: These are very lightweight vacuums without a motor-driven beater brush.

They are used only for light vacuuming and for touch-ups on carpets and hard floors. Latest

generation of Electric brooms are battery operated and hence can be used without any cords.

Upright vacuums: Upright vacuums are the ones more frequently seen in hotels. The main body

of the vacuum lies horizontal on the floor and is driven by a single motor. The dust-bag is

outside the machine’s main body. There is a belt-driven beater brush to facilitate removal of dust

from thick-pile carpets. In an improved variation, there is a dual-motor system – one motor

drives the beater brush and the other provides the suction. The machine also has a built-in hose

for cleaning corners and upholstery. This machine is most suitable for use on large carpeted

areas.

Cylindrical vacuums: They work by suction only. The filter-cum-diffuser is fitted at the outlet

which removes fine dust and micro-organisms from the flow of air passing through the outlet.

The dust bag is inside the cylindrical body. The term ‘suction cleaner’ is generally used for this

kind of vacuum cleaner.

Centralized vacuums: In this type of unit, suction is generated at one point in the building.

Meanwhile, soiling can be removed at vacuum points somewhere else in the building by suitable

nozzles connected to detachable flexible hoses. The collected dirt is then conveyed by a network

of pipes to a central container. This unit is expensive to install and is generally done at the

building construction stage. The main advantage of centralized vacuum is that it is extremely

hygienic, since all the dust is carried away from the point of cleaning. Maintenance costs are

usually lower.

Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaners

These are extremely useful in housekeeping operation as they can pick up spills and excess water

when cleaning the wet surfaces. The waste water collects in a tank that needs to be emptied after

use. On the dry mode also they help in removal of dust and debris. They are required when a

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large area is to be polished and cleaned. They have flexible hose pipe with squeegee head to

absorb water.

3.2.2 Floor Scrubbing and polishing machines: This machine can scrub the floor and polish

the floor. With the help of soft pads these machines apply polish to the floor and this polish is

spread evenly on the floor surface by the machine. Then buffing is done by the machine to have

a glossy appearance of floor.

3.2.3 Wet-extraction systems

Wet extractors have suction and water injection feature to rinse and suck water from the surface

to be cleaned. This machine sprays water with detergent to remove more deeply embedded soil

which is not easily removed by suction cleaning.

3.2.4 Scrubber-drier-sweepers

These machines are suitable for large areas where mechanical sweeping, scrubbing and drying

are required.

4. CLEANING AGENTS:

Cleaning agent is a natural or synthetic material that is used to clean different surfaces. They

remove dirt from the surface to give it a clean appearance. There are many types of cleaning

agents used in the hotels for cleaning of different kinds of items.

Water: Water is the prime ingredient to start with for cleaning of many surfaces. Soft

water is preferred over hard water for its cleaning properties. It is used with some other

agent like detergent, soaps etc. as water alone is not an effective cleaner.

Detergents: They help in loosening and removing dirt and grit from the surface and hold

it in suspension. In that way it prevents dirt from getting redeposited on the surface again.

Abrasives: Abrasives are used to remove very stubborn stains from various surfaces.

They are substances that have scratching action to remove dirt from hard surface.

Fine abrasives: used for shining silver, filtered chalk and jeweller’s rouge are

used.

Medium Abrasives: Salt, scouring powder or paste

Hard Abrasives: Sandpaper, steel wool, pumice etc.

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Organic Solvents: They are used to dissolve grease and mainly used as stain removal

and dry cleaning. Methylated spirit, acetone, turpentine etc are common solvents. These

solvents must be used carefully as they are inflammable and toxic.

Disinfectants: These agents control microbial growth on the cleaned surfaces where

germ control is required. Phenols, chlorine etc. are commonly used disinfectants in

hotels.

Toilet cleaners: They are available in liquid or powder form. They are used to clean and

sanitize the WCs, urinals and bidets. They are acidic in nature and may have some fine

abrasives to remove the stubborn stains.

Polishes: Polishes are used to smoothen uneven surface and provide a smooth protective

layer. They also gives a nice sheen on the surfaces they are used. They are available in

different forms like paste, liquid, spay or cream. Different types of polishes are available

for different type of surfaces. E.g. Floor polishes, Metal polishes, Leather polishes, and

Furniture polishes.

Glass Cleaner: Glass cleaners are available in liquids and sprays. They are applied

directly on glass surfaces and then cleaned with a soft, lint free duster. A mixture of water

with spirit or vinegar makes an inexpensive glass cleaner for use.

Carpet cleaners: Carpet cleaners are available as sprays, foams and shampoos. Basically

they are water soluble solvents, soil repellant, optical brightener and deodorizer. They

must be used in proper dilution.

Common Cleaning Agents Used In Housekeeping-

i. Fuller’s earth: It is a clay material that can absorb oil/grease without any chemical

treatment. It is commonly used on coloured wooden surfaces.

ii. Borax: Borax or Sodium borate is a salt of boric acid, easily dissolves in water. It is used

to remove coffe and tea stains.

iii. Jeweller’s rouge: Also known as red rouge or ferric oxide is a very fine compound used

for buffing and polishing of silver surfaces.

iv. Linseeed Oil: It is oil obtained from flax seeds. They are used as a constituent of

furniture polishes and paints.

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v. Pumice: Pumice stone is a light and porous stone used as abrsive on hard surfaces like

metals etc.

vi. Sawdust: It absorbs grease and can be used as an abrasive.

vii. Turpentine: It is used to dilute paints and a constituent of paints.

viii. Vinegar: It can be used as glass cleaner in a water solution. It is also used to clean metals

like copper.

5. GUEST SUPPLIES

All items that are placed in a guest room to add on the comfort and convenience of a guest’s stay

at hotel are known as guest supplies.

Guest loan items:

These are the items which are not kept in the guest room but are provided to the guest on his

request, e.g. Iron, Ironing board, hair driers, alarm clocks, hot water bottles etc.

Placement of Guest Supplies in Guest Room:

a) Behind the Door:

A DND card the reverse of which may be “please make up my room card” on the door

knob on the inside of the door.

Room’s rate for different kinds of rooms.

A detail map fire exists.

A notice reminding the guests of the safe-deposit facilities at the cashier’s desk.

b) Bedside table:

Telephone and the service dictionary.

A notepad and a pencil.

An ashtray and a matchbox.

Local telephone directory

A Bible, Gita or a Quran may be placed.

A bedside lamp.

A flask on the tray with two glasses.

c) Coffee table:

An ashtray with matchbox/lighter.

The house magazine or some other magazines and a newspaper.

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Room service menu.

d) Mini Bar:

Depending on the type of hotel, type of guest room as well as sometimes the profile of the guest

all/ some/none of these may be included,.

Mineral water bottles.

Beverages such as liquor and soft drinks.

Ice trays.

Some snacks.

e) Bathroom:

Monogrammed soaps, Shampoo bottles, Hair conditioners, Moisturizers, Cologne, Aftershave

lotion, Shower caps, Gargle glasses, Tissue box, Razor blades, Dental kit, Comb, body oil etc.

6. LINEN

All the launderable items which are used, maintained and stored by housekeeping department are

termed as Linen. E.g. bedsheets, pillowcovers, towels, napkins, table clothes etc.

On the basis of its use Linen can be grouped under the headings-

a) Guestroom Linen:

Linen used in bedrooms and bathrooms comes under this category. Hotels usually have their

logo printed or embroidered on their linen called monograms. Different sizes of bed sheets,

pillow covers, blankets, mattress protectors, duvet covers, bed spreads and bath linen like face

towels, hand towels and bath towels comes under this category.

b) F & B Linen

Linen used in restaurants, banquet halls like table clothes, napkins, waiter’s cloth, slip cloths,

runners, baize clothes, tray mats etc. comes under this group.

7. UNIFORMS

Uniforms are provided to the employees by the organization to maintain the well-groomed

appearance of the employee. It reflects the standard of the hotel and creates a good impression on

the guest. Uniform also enables the guest to identify staff and their position in the organization. It

is designed on the basis of several factors like ease in working, matching with the theme of the

area, practicality etc. and it differs from department to departments and across the designations

too. Housekeeping department is responsible to keep the logistics as well as cleaning of the

uniforms in most of the organizations. Uniform is a status symbol, creating a sense of

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belongingness in employees and thereby boosting their morale. Apart from the aesthetic appeal,

uniforms are frequently designed to suit the task that is carried out.

8. SUMMARY

Housekeeping department uses various material, agents, supplies and equipment that are termed

as housekeeping inventories. In this chapter we discussed about the recycled and non-recycled

inventories. The cleaning equipment have discussed under broad categorization of manual and

mechanical equipment. Nowadays there are new machines coming in that perform more than one

cleaning operations. Different types of cleaning agents are used in housekeeping in day to day

operations. Each cleaning agent serves a different purpose. Guest supplies have been listed with

their usual placements in guest rooms. Linen has been classified in guestroom linen and F&B

linen. Housekeeping department is also the custodian for staff uniform. All these housekeeping

inventory need periodic assessment regularly. Recycled inventory must be cleaned and

maintained properly to increase its life and perform to give quality results.

Pictures taken from:

http://www.betterlivingthroughdesign.com/accessories/housekeeping-brushes-2/

http://www.chamois.co.nz/

https://cormsquare.com/Scrubs-and-Wipes/Cloth-Items-/502/Glass-Cloth

http://www.yourhomedirect.co.uk/feminine-hygiene-bin-20-litre-sanibin-white-fhb20w-

c2x13702903

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jeYwdS7pPDc/UQWnYLmXRpI/AAAAAAAABbw/CG3_wC-

06Uo/s1600/blueplastictotecaddy.jpg

https://www.greatvacs.com/education/vacuum_types

http://www.asaihospitality.com/housekeeping.html