HOUSEKEEPING OPERATION: HOUSEKEEPING INVENTORIES

CHAPTER 3
HOUSEKEEPING
INVENTORIES
By: Mumtazul Ilyani

INTRODUCTION
 Housekeeping inventories refer to the stoks of
purchased operating supplies, equipment and
other items held for future use in housekeeping
operations.
 There are two types of housekeeping inventories:
1. Recycled inventories are for those items and
pieces of equipment that have relatively limited
useful lives but are used over and over again.
Example: Cleaning equipment and other
machines, linen, uniforms and guest loan items.
2. Non-recycled inventories include items that are
used up during the course of routine
housekeeping operations. Example: Cleaning
supplies, cleaning agents and small piece of
equipment.

CLEANING EQUIPMENT (BRUSHES)
 Brushes are meant to remove dirt dry or
wet from hard or soft surfaces. They may
have bristles of animal, vegetable or man
made origin.
 It is of following types:
 HARD BRUSHES: They have hard
bristles used for removing heavy soil
& litter from carpets and for cleaning
hard and rough surfaces such as hard
floor.
 SOFT BRUSHES: They have soft and
flexible bristles meant for removing
loose soil from hard/smooth surfaces
such as carpets and furnitures.

 Brushes are classified on the
basis of their functions:
• Toilet brushes – for cleaning
toilet bowl
• Bottle brushes – for
cleaning overflow vents in
wash basins and tubs
• Cloth brushes - for
scrubbing clothes
• Deck scrubbers – for
cleaning large areas

• Carpet brushes – for
brushing carpets
• Upholstery brushes – to
loosen out dust between
the fabric fibres in
upholstered chairs and
sofas
• Feather brushes – for light
dusting
• Hearth brush – for
cleaning heavy soiling
• Flue brush – for cleaning
chimneys

CLEANING EQUIPMENT (BROOMS)
 Brooms consist of long bristles gathered together &
inserted into a long handle. It is of following types:
 SOFT BRISTLED BROOMS: They have soft bristles
and are used on smooth floors.
 HARD/COARSE BRISTLED BROOMS: Used on
coarse surfaces especially outdoors.
 WALL BROOMS: Also called as ceiling brooms or
Turk’s head. They have a soft head & a long
handle usually made of cane. They are used to
remove cobwebs as well as dust from cornices,
ceilings and high edges.
 BOX SWEEPERS: Used for weeping up dust and
litter from soft floor coverings such as rugs and
carpets.

CLEANING EQUIPMENT (BROOMS)

CLEANING EQUIPMENT (MOPS)
 Mops are used in conjunction with buckets for the
removal of dirt adhering to a surface.
 DRY MOPS/MOP SWEEPER: consist of head made
of twisted cotton yarn or synthetic yarns or
synthetic fibers & attached to a long handle.
 WET MOPS: Consist of long, coarser yarn meant
for cleaning light soiled floors with a bucket,
water & detergent.
 POLISH APPLICATOR MOPS: Labeled for the type
of polish used. The head is never washed but
replaced.
 SQUEEGEES: Meant to remove excess water from
the floors. Smaller ones are meant to remove
excess water from windows while cleaning
windows.

CLEANING EQUIPMET (MOPS)

CLEANING EQUIPMENT (CLOTHS)
 Cloths used in wet and dry cleaning by housekeeping
staff.
 DUSTERS AND CLOTCH MITTENS: Used for
dusting and buffing. Soft, absorbent and upto 15
sq cm. They must be sprayed with a fine mist of
water or dusting solution.
 SWABS AND WIPES: All purpose cloths made of
soft, absorbent material. Used for cleaning
sanitary fittings such as bathtub and wash
basins.
 FLOOR CLOTHS: Bigger, thicker and made of
thick coarser cotton material. Used to remove
spills from floors.
 GLASS CLOTHS: Soft linen and do not leave
behind lint. Used for wiping mirrors and drinking
glasses.
 RAGS AND POLISHING CLOTHS: Obtained from
sewing room. Used for applying polish or strong

CLEANING EQUIPMENT (CLOTHS)

CLEANING EQUIPMENT (CONTAINER)
 Work becomes easier and efficient with appropriate
containers in which to carry, transport, collect and
store supplies and other items.
 HAND CADDIES: a box with a handle and a fitted
tray. Used by RA for carrying cleaning supplies for
guestroom cleaning.
 JANITOR’S TROLLEY: Used during the cleaning of
public area. Includes a detachable trash bag and a
place for storing cleaning agents and small piece of
cleaning equipment.
 MOP-WRINGER TROLLEY: Consists of a mop and one
or twin buckets with an attached wringer, all
mounted on a trolley with caster-wheels.
 MAID’S CART/ROOM ATTENDANT’S CART/TROLLEY:
It is like a giant tool box, stocked with everything
necessary to service a guestroom effectively. Heavier
linens must be placed on the lowermost shelf and the
smaller, lighter ones in the top shelf.

CLEANING EQUIPMENT (CONTAINER)

CLEANING MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT
(VACUUM)
 Vacuum cleaners remove debris, soil and water from a surface
by suction.
 BACKPACK VACUUM: For cleaning high, hard to reach areas
such as curtains, ceiling corners and also used for cleaning
staircase too. This vacuum can be easily strapped to the back
of the operator.
 UPRIGHT VACUUM: The main body lies horizontal on the floor,
used rotating brushes and is driven by a single motor. Most
suitable for use on a large carpeted areas.
 CYLINDRICAL VACCUM: Have no rotating brushes and work
by suction only. A flexible hose along with different
attachments is used to clean a variety of surface.
 CENTRALIZED VACUUM CLEANER: Suction is generated at one
point in the building. Soiling can be removed at vacuum
points elsewhere in the building by suitable nozzles linked to
detachable flexible hoses. The collected dirt is then conveyed
by a network pipes to a central container.
 WET AND DRY VACUUM: Can pick up spills and water excess
when on the wet mode. Help in removal of dust and debris on
the dry mode.

CLEANING MECHANICAL EQUIPMET
(VACUUM)

CLEANING MECHANICAL
EQUIPMENT (SCRUBBER)
It is a floor care accessory that comes with
handheld electrically operated scrubber. It is
used where only mopping doesn’t suffice. It can
scrub stubborn and sticky stains on the floors of
cafeterias, restaurants, lobbies, and fitness
areas where people can take food and
beverages.

CLEANING MECHANICAL
EQUIPMENT (POLISHER)
They are used to add a shine to the floors of
most frequented areas of the hotel.

(HIGH PRESSURE WASHERS)
It is designed to remove soilage by
subjecting the surface to water, steam or
sand under pressure. Water under high
pressure physically dislodges the dust.
The process can be assisted by the use
of hot water, steam or sand.

(SCARIFYING MACHINES)
They are meant to remove heavy grease, mud
& thick deposits from the surface. This is used
when simple scrubbing machine is not effective.
Here dirt deposits are broken by the chisel like
action of a wire brush cutting tool.

Factors to consider in selecting
cleaning equipment
• Safety in operation
• Suitability to the type of area,
surface, work, amount of obstruction
• Versatility to undertake various types
of cleaning
• Work performance in terms of
capacity of machine
• Ease of handling in terms of size,
weight & height of the machine

Factors to consider in selecting
cleaning equipment
• Portability in terms of ease
of transfer between floors
• Durability
• Noise level
• Availability of spare parts
• Protective design
• Ease of storage
• Cost as sum of initial costs
(not too expensive)

General care of electrical cleaning
equipment
• Machine using water has a float valve
which automatically cuts off the motor
• Have equipment serviced regularly by
qualified electricians
• Use only with dry hand
• Report damage immediately
• Always use the nearest socket
• Switch off wall socket when not being used
• Use extension leads only in an emergency
• Replace broken plugs
• Use correct size fuses
• Never overload the socket

MAINTENANCE
• When to use equipment
• How to use equipment
• How to clean each item
• Where to clean
equipment
• How often to attend to
equipment
• How to obtain assistance
if required
• Where to obtain supplies
of spare parts

SUPERVISION
• Adequate training of all staff
• Effective supervision of all staff
• Use work method & instruction
charts for all staff, to ensure safe
working practice
• Check plug regularly
• Never allow appliances to come into
direct contact with water
• Ensure that all equipment is cleaned
& properly stored after use.

EQUIPMENT STORAGE
• Storeroom should:
– Clean & have adequate space
– Near to working area
– Equipment should be coded
– Must have store keeper
– Adequate shelving & hooks
– Store should be well ventilated

CLEANING AGENTS / CHEMICALS
 Apart from water and regular detergents, the housekeeping
staff also uses cleaning chemicals, which are often available in
the form of liquids, blocks, and powders.
 Water − It is the most commonly used medium for
cleaning and rinsing. Non-oily and non-greasy stains such
as ink stains can be removed using water.
 Bathroom Cleaners − They come in liquid form for easy
cleaning. They clean, descale, and disinfect the bathroom
walls, bathtubs, bathroom flooring, sinks, and showers.
They often contain phosphoric acid.
 Degreaser − This is mainly used in bars to remove the
marks of grease and lipstick that cannot be removed by
traditional washing of glasses and cups. Degreaser
restores the surface shine and transparency of the glasses
and bowls.
 Floor cleaner - Some areas in the hotel are busy and bear
heavy traffic such as lobby, corridors, parking areas,
restaurants, and dining halls. Their floorings loses
smoothness and shine. The floor cleaners and sealers are
used for restoring their look and shine.

 Surface Sanitizers − They often come in the form of
liquid concentrate. They are water-based and
sanitize the surfaces without damaging their
appearance. The sanitizers reduce the presence of
bacteria to a great extent.
 Toilet Blocks − They deodorize the toilets and leave
them with a fresh smell.
 Toilet Cleaners − They are available in liquid form
containing strong hydrochloric acid. They remove
stains and plumbing scales easily, and restore the
shine of their surface.
 Carpet cleaning chemicals are often low-moisture,
fast-drying cleaners that take care of the carpets.
 Glass cleaner – to clean mirror, glass window or
glass door.

GUEST SUPPLIES
 Guest supplies include all items that are conducive
to the guest’s material comfort and convenience.
1. Guest amenities: all the luxury items that a
hotel provides to its guests at no extra cost.
2. Guest expendables: guest supplies that are
expected to be used up or taken away by guest
on leaving the property.
3. Guest essentials: items that are essential to the
guestroom but are not used up or expected to
be taken away by guests.
4. Guest loan items: Supplies that are not
normally found in the guestroom, but are
available to the guest on request.

GUESTROOM LINEN
 Consists of bed and bath linen.
1.BED LINEN: includes all the launderable articles on
the bed.
• Pillowcases - a cloth cover for a pillow.
• Blankets - a large piece of material that keeps
the body warm.
• Duvet covers – made of cotton or blended
fabrics. Referred as comforters.
• Mattress protectors – to protect mattress from
stains and spills.
• Bedspreads - a decorative cloth used to cover a
bed.
• Dust ruffles – fabric skirting that extend around
the sides and foot of a bed.
• Bed sheets - rectangular piece of cloth, laid above the
mattress

GUESTROOM LINEN
2. BATH LINEN: includes all kinds of towels found in a
guest bathroom.
• Bath sheets – extra large bath towel in VIP
rooms.
• Bath towels – a large towel used to dry the
body after bathing or showering, usually made
of heavy, absorbent material.
• Face towels –smaller than a bath towel, is often
of smooth-surfaced material, used especially for
drying the face.
• Hand towels – smaller than face towels, used
by guests for drying hand after washing.
• Wash cloths - used by guests for scrubbing
their face and body clean while taking bath.
• Bath mats – kept in guest bathrooms for guests
to dry their feet after coming out of a bath.

COMPONENTS OF BED
1. Bed frame - Box frame (wood) or Metal
frame (Iron)
2. Bed Base - A bed consist of mattress
supported by a base. The base may be made
up of coil springs, wire mesh, solid wood or
plywood.
3. Headboard - Most hotel prefer headboard to
be wall mounted. Objective of headboard is
to protect the wall from developing greasy
stains
4. Footboard are usually of the same material
and color as the headboard of the bed.
5. Bed legs – to support the bed.

HOUSEKEEPING OPERATION: HOUSEKEEPING INVENTORIES

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