International Institute of Hotel Management
International Institute of Hotel Management
International Institute of Hotel Management
STUDENTS JOURNAL
ACCOMMODATION OPERATION
YEAR ONE
ROLL NO : IIHM20BLR112
SUBJECT: Housekeeping
YEAR : 2020-23
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Mr/ Ms
______________________________________________ Roll No.
_________________________ Section: ________________________________
Accommodation Operations Practical Group:
_______________________________________________ has completed his/her
Accommodations Operations Journal for the Year _________________________ in
all respects and submitted it on time/ late to be checked and certified.
He/ She has secured _________ marks out of a maximum possible of
____________.
________________________
Signature of Faculty
Date of Clearance: _________________
Signature of Student: _______________
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Mr/ Ms
______________________________________________ Roll No.
_________________________ Section: ________________________________
Accommodation Operations Practical Group:
_______________________________________________ has completed his/her
Accommodations Operations Journal for the Year _________________________ in
all respects and submitted it on time/ late to be checked and certified.
He/ She has secured _________ marks out of a maximum possible of
____________.
________________________
Signature of Faculty
Date of Clearance: _________________
Signature of Student: _______________
SEMESTER 1 INDEX-THEORY
Sr. DATE TOPICS PAGE
No. NO.
1 INTRODUCTION TO HOUSEKEEPING
2 LAYOUT AND ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
OF HOUSEKEEPING DEPARTMENT AND STAFFING
3 PLANNING WORK OF HOUSEKEEPING
DEPARTMENT
4 HOTEL GUEST ROOMS AND TYPES OF DIFFERENT
ROOMS
5 CLEANING AGENTS
6 CLEANING EQUIPMENTS
2. Deputy Housekeeper-
The deputy housekeeper reports to the executive housekeeper. His/her duties
are:-
Check and ensure that all guestrooms, public areas, back of the house
areas are clean and well maintained.
Inspect the work done by contractors- pest control, laundry, window
cleaning, etc.
Prepare staff schedules and duty rotas.
Check periodical stocktaking and maintaining of stock records for linen,
uniform, equipment.
Provide necessary information to assist the executive housekeeper in
staff evaluation, disciplining, termination and promotion.
Develop and implement training programs within the department in
consultation with the executive housekeeper.
Assist executive housekeeper in forecasting and budgeting for operating
and capital expenditure.
Take charge of the housekeeping department in absence of an executive
housekeeper.
4. Floor supervisors-
The floor supervisor reports to the assistant housekeeper. They are responsible
for the final condition of the guestrooms on the floors allocated to them.
His/her duties are:-
12.Gardener-
Gardeners report to the head gardener or the horticulturist. They keep
landscaped areas, lawns and gardens clean and aesthetically beautiful. His/her
duties are:-
Dig landscaped areas and maintain them.
Plant saplings and seeds
Water gardens as per schedules.
Maintain plant nursery and greenhouse.
Prepare potted flowers and potted plants.
13.Florist-
Florists employ their own florist. Providing attractive flower arrangements
for the entire hotel is their responsibility. They report to the horticulturist.
His/her duties are:-
Collect fresh flowers from gardeners every day.
Purchase flowers from dealers
Prepare different flower arrangements for different areas- lobbies,
front office, restaurants, guestrooms, banquet halls etc.
Treat cut flowers so that they last longer.
Maintain flower arrangements by changing water, etc .
Responsible for flower arranging equipment and equipment,
accessories etc.
Train the assistant florist.
14.Laundry Manager-
He/she is in charge of the laundry and the Laundry Manager reports to the
Director of housekeeping. He/she is responsible for the entire functioning of
the laundry and dry cleaning unit. He /she should have good knowledge of
fabrics and chemicals and laundry machines.
Job Description
1)Executive Housekeeper/Director of Housekeeping:-
2) Deputy Housekeeper
The floor supervisor reports to the assistant housekeeper. They are responsible
for the final condition of the guestrooms on the floors allocated to them.
His/her duties are:-
The public area supervisor reports to the assistant housekeeper. He/ she is
responsible for cleaning and inspection of the front of the house areas such as
entrance, lobby, guest corridors and so on. His/her duties are:-
Ensure that all public areas and other functional areas are kept clean at all
times.
Ensure all maintenance jobs are attended in coordination with the
maintenance department.
Ensure all flower arrangements are placed in appropriate places in public
areas.
Ensure banquet halls and conference halls are kept ready for functions and
conferences.
6) Night Supervisor:-
The night supervisor reports to the assistant housekeeper. He supervises all
night staff engaged in the cleaning of public areas and guest rooms in hotels.
His/her duties are:-
Ensure all public areas are thoroughly cleaned at night when the traffic is low.
Plan order of work and direct staff accordingly.
Ensure submission of room attendants reports and room status reports.
Provide guest supplies and attend guest requests in the night like providing
water bottles, extra beds, towels etc.
Report safety and security hazards.
The linen room supervisor reports to the assistant housekeeper. His/her duties
are:-
Responsible for entire hotels linen.
Send dirty linen from laundry after checking.
Check laundered linen before giving it for ironing.
Provide linen to the various departments
Maintain register of linen movements and check linen regularly
Supervise ironing and laundering of linen of the hotel
Supervise work of linen room attendants and tailors
Make suggestions related to replacement purchases and give requirements of
linen to executive housekeepers.
The uniform room supervisor reports to the assistant housekeeper. He/ she is
responsible for maintenance of hotel staff uniforms. His/her duties are:-
Responsible for providing clean, serviceable uniforms to the staff.
Keep an inventory control of various uniforms in various stages of use
Set budget for procurement of uniforms and materials required for uniform
9) Linen Room attendant/ Linen Room Maid:-
Linen room attendants report to the linen room supervisor. His/her duties are:-
Stacking sheets, pillowcases, towels, tablecloths, napkins in different stacks.
Issue clean linen on a clean- for- soiled basis.
Place soiled linen in containers and send these to laundry.
Examine and count each linen item when sent to the laundry and again on
return.
Send torn articles to seamstress for repair.
Maintain proper records of discards and determine the percentage of discards.
11) Storekeeper:-
Guest room attendant(GRA) reports to the floor supervisor. His/her duties are:-
Cleans the rooms
Change guest room and bathroom linen.
Make guest room beds.
Replenish guest supplies.
Answer guest requests promptly on the floor.
Responsible for collecting guest laundry.
Servicing of rooms in the evening( turndown service) and also provide second
service.
Handover lost and found articles if any found in the room
Replenish maids cart with supplies for the next shift
Arrange and stock the pantry with linen and supplies.
They report to the head house persons or the public area supervisor. His/her
duties are:-
Shift furniture in public areas.
Clear the garbage
Polish all brassware in public areas
Clean all doors, windows and ventilators.
Clean fire fighting equipment.
Clean the shafts and terraces.
Clean chandeliers, draperies and other hard to reach areas in public areas.
Many large hotels have their own horticulturist, who reports to the assistant
housekeeper. He / she leads a team of gardeners in maintaining landscaped
gardens of the hotel as well as in supplying flowers from gardens for flower
arrangements in the hotels. Flowers are used largely to enhance aesthetic
appeal of various areas of the hotel.
19) Gardeners:-
Gardeners report to the head gardener or the horticulturist. They keep
landscaped areas, lawns and gardens clean and aesthetically beautiful. His/her
duties are:-
Dig landscaped areas and maintain them.
Plant saplings and seeds
Water gardens as per schedules.
Maintain plant nursery and greenhouse.
Prepare potted flowers and potted plants.
20) Florist:-
Florists employ their own florist. Providing attractive flower arrangements for
the entire hotel is their responsibility. They report to the horticulturist. His/her
duties are:-
Collect fresh flowers from gardeners every day.
Purchase flowers from dealers
Prepare different flower arrangements for different areas- lobbies, front office,
restaurants, guestrooms, banquet halls etc.
Treat cut flowers so that they last longer.
Maintain flower arrangements by changing water, etc .
Responsible for flower arranging equipment and equipment, accessories etc.
Train the assistant florist.
He/she is in charge of the laundry and the Laundry Manager reports to the
Director of housekeeping. He/she is responsible for the entire functioning of
the laundry and dry cleaning unit. He /she should have good knowledge of
fabrics and chemicals and laundry machines.
He/ she is in charge of dry cleaning of the hotel linen and guest clothing and
washer does the laundering of the linen, uniforms and guest clothing.
24) Laundry workers:-
“Valet service” means that they take care of guest laundry. They report to the
linen room supervisor. They are responsible for collecting soiled guest laundry
and delivering fresh guest laundry.
Draw the organizational of a Large Hotel
Job Description
1)Executive Housekeeper/Director of Housekeeping:-
2) Deputy Housekeeper
The floor supervisor reports to the assistant housekeeper. They are responsible
for the final condition of the guestrooms on the floors allocated to them.
His/her duties are:-
The public area supervisor reports to the assistant housekeeper. He/ she is
responsible for cleaning and inspection of the front of the house areas such as
entrance, lobby, guest corridors and so on. His/her duties are:-
Ensure that all public areas and other functional areas are kept clean at all
times.
Ensure all maintenance jobs are attended in coordination with the
maintenance department.
Ensure all flower arrangements are placed in appropriate places in public
areas.
Ensure banquet halls and conference halls are kept ready for functions and
conferences.
6) Night Supervisor:-
The night supervisor reports to the assistant housekeeper. He supervises all
night staff engaged in the cleaning of public areas and guestrooms in hotel.
His/her duties are:-
Ensure all public areas are thoroughly cleaned at night when the traffic is low.
Plan order of work and direct staff accordingly.
Ensure submission of room attendants reports and room status reports.
Provide guest supplies and attend guest requests in the night like providing
water bottles, extra beds, towels etc.
Report safety and security hazards.
The uniform room supervisor reports to the assistant housekeeper. He/ she is
responsible for maintenance of hotel staff uniforms. His/her duties are:-
Responsible for providing clean, serviceable uniforms to the staff.
Keep an inventory control of various uniforms in various stages of use
Set budget for procurement of uniforms and materials required for uniform
9) Linen Room attendant/ Linen Room Maid:-
Linen room attendants report to linen room supervisor. His/her duties are:-
Stacking sheets, pillowcases, towels, tablecloths, napkins in different stacks.
Issue clean linen on clean- for- soiled basis.
Place soiled linen in containers and send these to laundry.
Examine and counts each linen item when sends to laundry and again on
return.
Send torn articles to seamstress for repair.
Maintain proper records of discards and determine percentage of discards.
11) Storekeeper:-
Guest room attendant(GRA) report to the floor supervisor. His/her duties are:-
Cleans the rooms
Change guestroom and bathroom linen.
Make guest room beds.
Replenish guest supplies.
Answer guest requests promptly on the floor.
Responsible for collecting guest laundry.
Servicing of rooms in the evening( turndown service) and also provide second
service.
Handover lost and found articles if any found in the room
Replenish maids cart with supplies for the next shift
Arrange and stock the pantry with linen and supplies.
They report to the head house persons or the public area supervisor. His/her
duties are:-
Shift furniture in public areas.
Clear the garbage’s
Polish all brassware in public areas
Clean all doors, windows and ventilators.
Clean fire fighting equipments.
Clean the shafts and terraces.
Clean chandeliers, draperies and other hard to reach areas in public areas.
Many large hotels have their own horticulturist, who report to assistant
housekeeper. He / she leads a team of gardener in maintaining landscaped
gardens of the hotel as well as in supplying flowers from gardens for flower
arrangements in the hotels. Flowers are used largely to enhance aesthetic
appeal of various areas of the hotel.
19) Gardeners:-
Gardeners report to the head gardener or the horticulturist. They keep
landscaped areas, lawns and gardens clean and aesthetically beautiful. His/her
duties are:-
Dig landscaped areas and maintain them.
Plant saplings and seeds
Water gardens as per schedules.
Maintain plant nursery and green house.
Prepare potted flowers and potted plants.
20) Florist:-
Florists employ their own florist. Providing attractive flower arrangements for
the entire hotel is their responsibility. They report to the horticulturist. His/her
duties are:-
Collect fresh flowers from gardeners every day.
Purchase flowers from dealers
Prepare different flower arrangements for different areas- lobbies, front office,
restaurants, guestrooms, banquet halls etc.
Treat cut flowers so that they last longer.
Maintain flower arrangements by changing water, etc .
Responsible for flower arranging equipments and equipments, accessories etc.
Train the assistant florist.
He/ she is in charge of dry cleaning of the hotel linen and guest clothing and
washer does the laundering of the linen, uniforms and guest clothing.
24) Laundry workers:-
“Valet service” means that they take care of guest laundry. They report to the
linen room supervisor. They are responsible for collecting soiled guest laundry
and delivering fresh guest laundry.
Glossary Terms
Paste Pictures
4. HOTEL GUEST ROOMS
Anyone who has ever walked into a "non-smoking" hotel room and caught the
distinct odor of cigarette smoke will not be surprised by the findings of a new
study: When a hotel allows smoking in any of its rooms, the smoke gets into all
of its rooms, the study suggests.
double room
Some standard double rooms are meant for a couple; these have just one
queen-(5*6) (bed. Other standard double rooms have two double or queen-
sized beds placed side by side a few feet apart. Sometimes families of four with
young children who can share a bed opt for the two beds.
Single room
A single size i.e. single mattress is usually 3. feet wide. The single rooms have
one bed - in guest houses they would usually be small beds and in hotels they
might have a big bed it is only for one occupancy.
Suit room
a suite in a hotel or other public accommodation denotes a class of
accommodations with more space than a typical hotel room. They can also be
found onboard passenger ships. In luxury or upscale accommodations, such as
Ritz Carlton, intercontinental, Marriott, or embassy suites, key features include
multiple rooms
Paste Pictures
smoking room
double room
single room
suite room
Selection Of Furniture-
The selection of furniture depends on the following factors:-
Style- Style of hospitality furniture is instrumental not only in this zoning
but also as a reinforcement of a hotel’s personality. A wingback chair
says something a low sling chair does not. The key is to understand the
message. Hotel designers almost always custom design rather than
select furniture for a hotel from a retailer. When dealing with a standard
sized guest room, for instance, space is paramount and custom furniture
is necessary to ensure the right scale. In a lobby or restaurant, scale is
crucial in conveying the right relationship each piece of furniture has to
one another. For example, making sure a side table is designed to the
correct height so that a guest sitting on an adjacent sofa can easily lean
over and rest their drink on it is an absolute must.
Durability- The life cycle of a hotel is between five and 10 years. This
means furniture must last not only stylistically but stand up to a
tremendous amount of wear and tear during this period. To ensure
furniture will stand the test of time, designers need to understand how
each piece is typically made and how the space in which the furniture
will be placed will be used. This information helps a designer choose the
right type of furniture fabric, colour, texture and grade. Of course, there
needs to be a balance between aesthetics and durability. Durability
should be incorporated in such a way that doesn’t detract from the
overall look and feel of the furniture and space.
Aesthetically pleasing – The color scheme in each room should be
relaxing, which usually means incorporating a lot of neutral colors and
earth tones. The shapes and textures should be inviting. Unless you have
themed rooms, this usually involves using modern, geometric shapes
and plenty of smooth, soft surfaces. Finally, every piece of furniture
should look like it goes well together and belongs in the room. If you
don’t have the eye for designing hotel room layouts and picking
furniture, a hospitality interior designer can help you achieve the feeling
you want.
Practical – The beauty of a four-poster bed loses its appeal if one of the
posters blocks the view of the television. Also, impractical residential
materials such as a suede sofas and plush carpet may not withstand the
wear and tear of a commercial setting. Just as critically as having good
aesthetics, hotel room furniture must also be practical.
Comfortable – The effect of a beautiful sofa or chair with durable fabric
that can withstand the test of time is spoiled if your guests don’t feel
comfortable sitting on it. Don’t underestimate the importance of
comfort when creating a hotel room setting for your guests.
Safe – Hotel owners must adhere to health and safety regulations when
choosing furniture for their suites. This includes choosing textiles with
flame retardant finishes and quality pieces that aren’t prone to falling
apart.
Types Of Furniture-
Furniture that should be in the guest room are:-
Headboard
Bedside
Desk
Bedside lamp
Bedroom bench
Cots
Desk chairs
TV stands
Dressers
Nightstands
Tables
Lounge chairs
Coffee machine
Wardrobes
Intercom
Mirror
Various appliances
Paste Pictures
Guest Room Fixtures And Fittings-
The fittings in a guest room are-
Fixed partitions and doors
Electrical installations
Electric sockets
Light fittings
Security alarm systems
Television aerials and satellite dishes
Fires and fire surrounds
Central-heating boilers and radiators
Plumbing installations
Bathroom suites and other sanitaryware installations
Vanity furniture
Cubicles/ shower screens
Kitchen units
Sinks
Integrated appliances
Adhered floor finishes
Door furniture
Built-in furniture, including proprietary reception desks, worktops
Built in wardrobes/ cupboards/ shelf units (e.g. if they use a wall to form
one of their sides and would thus be incomplete if they were removed)
Wall paintings
Plants and shrubs [rooted] in land belonging to the property.
Types of fixtures are-
Demountable partition systems
Telephone systems
CCTV systems
Edge-fitted and loose-laid carpets
Blinds, curtains and curtain rails
Paintings or mirrors that are not bolted but hung or screwed to a wall
Notice boards
Plumbed-in/ connected but free-standing equipment (e.g. commercial
catering equipment, laboratory equipment)
Free-standing ovens, refrigerators, washing machines and other white
goods
Lockers, changing room furniture, etc.
Beds/sofas and other free standing items of furniture or equipment
Computers and other IT equipment
Lamps and lampshades
Potted plants and shrubs (in containers)
Types-
Different types of fittings and fixtures in a guestroom are:-
Television
Telephone
Guestroom safe
Heating equipment
Lighting fixtures
Sanitary fittings
Doors, windows and locks
Paste Pictures
fixtures
fittings
Soft Furnishings-These articles serve various functions by simply
decorative, providing colour, pattern and texture to the room some are
protective and others may provide Warmth and comfort
In addition, hotel room accessories are related to service quality. The hotel is a
kind of enterprise that mainly sells services. The purpose of operating the hotel
is to win and protect the customer source. In order to achieve this goal, the
greatest satisfaction of the guests should be obtained as much as possible.
Hotel "hardware" facilities are the material basis for this purpose. We can't
imagine that a hotel with no phone, no sound, no elevator, no water in the
bathroom, and a door that can't be opened and closed normally will satisfy the
guests. Therefore, the quality of hotel room accessories management is
related to the guests' experience of the quality of service.
Guest Supplies and amenities in a room-
In Room
TV Cabinet-
10. Toilet Cleaners- They are available in liquid form containing strong
hydrochloric acid.
11. They remove stains and plumbing scales easily, and restore the shine of
their surface.
Paste Pictures
6. CLEANING EQUIPMENTS
Paste Pictures
Manual Equipments
Manual Equipments are the ones which are used by one's own
hands thereby the energy of the worker affects the standards
of cleanliness required from the equipment as well as the
knowledge of the worker.
Brush
Brushes are designed to remove dry, wet or ingrained dust
from hard or soft surfaces. It has a large number of bristles or
hairs fixed to it which helps it trap the dirt or dust particles
and thus help clean the surfaces.
Some types of brushes used are-
Hard Brush-They are most suitable for removal of heavy
soil, litters from carpet and for cleaning of rough
surfaces. They have a long titled handle to give better
cleaning.
Broom
A broom is a cleaning tool consisting of usually stiff
fibers attached to, and roughly parallel to, a
cylindrical handle, the broomstick. It is thus a
variety of brush with a long handle.
Cloths
Cloths are used for various purposes such as cleaning the
dust from the hotel decor or wiping the glasses in a hotel.
Various types of cloths used in a hotel are as follows
• Swabs and wipes- These are all purpose clothes made
of soft absorbent materials. They are used for wet
cleaning and damp dusting of all the surface above floor
level.
Mechanical Equipments
Mechanical equipment is the one that uses more
electronic(mechanical) power and less manpower. They
just require knowledge to be operated.
Dehumidifier-A dehumidifier is an
electrical appliance which reduces and
maintains the level of humidity in the air.
It also eliminates musty odor and to
prevent the growth of mildew by
extracting water from the air.
Glossary Terms
Mopping: Floors should be mopped daily with a damp mop or with a
chemically treated dust mop. Mop heads come with a variety of natural
or synthetic fibres (Types of Mops ).
New mop heads should be soaked in water for 1 hrs and the mop heads
should be rotated so that they can be cleaned and dried after each use.
While buffing the bristle tips of a brush or the surface of a pad create a
high-gloss finish on the floor surface. In case of a surface on which a
polish has been applied, it will involve generation of a local heat to
harden waxes and resins.
The bristle tips or edge of a cutting tool, cut into impacted soiling and
remove it by means of a chisel-like action.
Spray cleaning : This is similar to spray cleaning, but the term is applied to the
maintenance of floors where a buffable or semi-buffable polish has been
applied and the bristle tips of a brush or the surface of a pad remove both
soiling and the surface layer of polish to leave a smooth, glossy surface.
Glossary Terms
Plastic- This is made from polyethylene and vinyl foam they are
non-absorbent and resistant to attack by moths or other pests, for
use in hotels it should be treated with fire retardant finish sinces
the product toxic fumes catching fire.
.
Water- A soft-sided waterbed consists of a water-containing
mattress inside of a rectangular frame of sturdy foam, zippered
inside a fabric casing, which sits on a platform. It looks like a
conventional bed and is designed to fit existing bedroom
furniture.
b. Polystyrene beads : these are mainly used for large cushions. They
are packed fairly loosely in the cushion, But compress under
weight and so make a filling firm enough to sit on and comfortable
enough to lie on Foam crumbs and chips :these make the
cheapest commercial filling and are easily laundered. However
they give a very lumpy finish to the cushion. Whole foam This is
widely used in cushions because it is comfortable and easy to use,
inexpensive, non allergic and long-lasting. Foam can be made into
many shapes and can be molded according to the furniture as well
Two types of foam used are latex foam, made from natural and
synthetic rubber and polyurethane foam made from plastic.
c. Latex foam is the more expensive of the two and more resilient.
Both foam eventually break down if exposed to sunlight. Hence
they should always be covered with fabric.
Glossary Terms
Definition Aspect
One of the primary differences between the two terms is their definition.
Security refers to the protection of individuals, organizations, and properties
against external threats that are likely to cause harm. It is clear that security is
generally focused on ensuring that external factors do not cause trouble or
unwelcome situations to the organization, individuals, and the properties
within the premises.
On the other hand, safety is the feeling of being protected from the factors
that cause harm. It is also important to highlight that an individual who
controls the risk causing factors has the feeling of being safe.
Emotional Aspect
The second difference is that the feeling of being safe is an emotional aspect
while security has to do with the physical aspect. An individual feels safe when
he or she is embraced by the loved ones which means that his or her
emotional safety has been taken care of.
On the other hand, the aspect of security comes with physical aspects like tall
walls that are protecting an individual from external threats. In addition, an
individual has a sense of security if he or she has a physical weapon like a gun
that can be used to deal with external threats.
External Versus Internal
It is important to highlight that security is mostly an external affair while safety
is an internal aspect. People looking for security ensure that they are highly
protected against external factors that are likely to harm them. On the other
hand, an individual within the organization might cause the essence of lacking
safety or a party might make himself or herself not feel safe.
However, they are not concerned with the internal aspects. A person might
have a large security force but may be feeling the absence of safety, especially
if he or she does not have peace with personal being.
Deliberate and Unintended
The other notable difference between security and safety is that security is the
protection against deliberate threats while safety is the aspect of being secure
against unintended threats. People and properties are usually protected
against deliberate threats that are caused by criminals who have the intention
to sabotage the operations of the company, steal resources of the
organization, or harm an individual.
Procedure followed-
Fire-fighting equipments
Staff should be trained in operating the fire- fighting
equipment. Types of fire-fighting equipment vary from simple
ones such as buckets of sand and water,fire blankets, and hose
reels to more complex fire extinguishers. Water buckets
should be constantly checked for adequate water levels and
sand buckets should be kept dry. Water should not be used in
case of fire
offires involving electricity.
Support breathing
Give CPR
Control bleeding
RESUSCITATION CPR
loudly
Place one hand on the forehead and gently tilt the head back Place the
other hand on the point of the casualty, chin and lift the chin Keeping the
airway open, look, listen and feel for breathing
Reassess the vital signs regularly until help arrives or the casualty recovers
Glossary Terms
2. Master Key-Open all the doors of a guest room which are not double
locked.
4. Pass Master key- It is a skeleton key (also known as a pass key) is a
master key often used by locksmiths, that will open any lock in the set of
locks for which it is made.
5. Guest Room key-A room key is a key given to a guest in a hotel in order
to open or lock the door of their room.
6. Supply Key- It is a key kept under lock and key either at Housekeeping or
at the front desk of a hotel.
Glossary Terms
Flooring pictures
4. FLOORINGS/FLOOR COVERINGS
List down the various types of Floorings and floor coverings with
each ones care ,maintenances and uses–
1. HARD-
a. Wood-Wood finishes of good quality are among the most beautiful
flooring, provided the variety of wood and size of the unit are chosen for
effect. As floorings are to be laid bare and are subject to tremendous
wear and tear, only hard wood must be used. Strip wood flooring
A strip wood flooring consists of lengths of narrow strips (under
4”wide) of hard wood of good appearance. E.g. Maple. The boards
are fixed to joists or to timber insets in concrete. This construction
together with the length of strips, gives the floor it’s resilience
properties and makes it suitable for dance floors. A sprung floor has
springs under the joists to increase the resilience.
Parquet flooring
In appearance parquet flooring resembles wood block flooring. It also
consists of rectangular pieces of wood but the blocks are much
thinner (less than 3/8”in thickness) and are pinned and glued to a
wooden subfloor, often in a herringbone pattern. It is used in foyers
and lounges in conjunction with rugs. Cheaper parquet flooring may
only have a veneer of a good quality wood on the surface and thus
form a much less hard wearing surface.
Wood mosaics
Wood mosaics are generally made up in panels (18”sq formed of four
½”squares in basket pattern). It is backed with felt or aluminium. It is
laid directly on concrete with an adhesive or as an overlay on an
existing floor.
b. Stone-
Granolithic
Granolithic is a hard floor finish of graded granite chips set in cement. It
is used for basement corridors, storerooms, stairways and laundry. It is usually
laid in tile form.
Terrazzo
This is also a hard floor finish, consisting of a mixture of marble and
other decorative chipping set in fine cement that can be coloured. Marble is a
rock (limestone) mainly found in Italy, and maybe white, black, green or
brown. When used as a flooring it is laid in slabs. Marble is very expensive;
terrazzo being only chips of marble is much cheaper. To prevent slipperiness
self-polishing emulsions are applied. Terrazzo is used in foyers, cloakrooms and
kitchens.
Disadvantages: -
1. Hard and noisy
2. Cold in appearance
3. Terrazzo is slippery when wet.
4. Cracks may appear.
5. Granolithic will chip, especially on stairs. In terrazzo, marble chipping may
become loose.
6. Acids and strong alkalis adversely affect terrazzo.
Magnesite
Magnesite flooring consists of wood floor and other fillers mixed with
burnt magnesite, and laid on site (on the spot) or in the form of small blocks.
This finish is extremely porous and washing should be avoided as much as
possible. It may be sealed and /or polished to prevent the penetration of water
and dirt, but then it becomes very slippery.
Advantages: -
1. Moderately warm
2. Good appearance
3. Cleaning is relatively easy
4. Initial cost is low
Disadvantages: -
1. Hard and rather noisy
2. Little choice of colour
3. Becomes slippery when polished
4. Easily harmed by water, acids, alkalis and abrasives.
Bitumastic
This is a type of asphalt rolled on to a solid subfloor, in a hot plastic
state. Conventionally found in black, red or brown colours only, it may have
other colours rolled in, or surface maybe painted. It is used mainly in
bathrooms to protect the floor from dampness.
Advantages: -
1. Coven edges facilitate cleaning
2. Not affected by water and may have a drain incorporated.
3. Very durable.
4. It is vermin proof and impervious to dry rot.
5. Initial cost is low.
6. Non-slippery.
Disadvantages: -
1. Poor appearance
2. Dents with heavy weight
3. Softens to heat
4. Harmed by spirits, oils and acids.
2. SOFT-
f. Carpets- Consist of a backing and a surface pile.
The backing may be jute, nylon or polyester.
The pile may be of wool, cotton, nylon or polyester.
Used for their appearance, warmth, safety factor and sound
insulation.
3. RESILIENT-
h. PVC-
i. Linoleum-Composition: Mixture of powdered cork, resin, linseed oil, &
pigments of it on jute canvas. Made to heat & pressure.
Polished very often.
Dents easily & damaged by alkali’s
Damp mopping is done using mild detergents.
Further preservation adds baby oil in a small amount to the mop
water.
Cleaning-
Daily cleaning – Sweep and Damp Mop / Vacuum cleaning
Periodic cleaning – Soft scrubbing with Neutral detergent lather.
Rinse with a damp mop. Polish. If it is a sealed flooring use a self
shine polish occasionally
For rubber, floorings wash only when dirty and don’t over-wet
Flooring Pictures
Wall Covering Pictures
5. WALL COVERINGS
List down the various types of wall covering with short description
of each of them and their uses –
1. Paint-
Paint is made up of pigments and oil or water- based binder. Paint can be
used for identification, emphasis of hazards and danger and to maintain
hygiene as paint facilitates easy cleaning
⚫ Paint is cheap, easily applied and cleaned
⚫ It gives textural and multi-colour effects
Type of paint
⚫ Emulsion
1. These paints consist of synthetic resins and dyes dispersed in water,
when dried they form tough, washable and wear resistant films. They
are alkali resistant and are suitable for new, damp plastered walls. They
have little odor and quick to dry and suitable for redecoration of guest
rooms
2. Vinyl matt emulsion gives a matt, non-shiny finish
3. Vinyl satin emulsion gives a subtle, soft- sheen finish & more durable
then matt
4. Vinyl silk emulsion gives a high sheen finish & most durable then all
⚫ Alkyd
These are made up of synthetic resins called alkyds, which are
widely used in the manufacture of paint and varnishes, vegetable
oils (linseed oil) & mineral spirit as the solvent. They are easy to
apply and are durable. They are available in glass, silk and flat finish,
Used in those places that are subjected to heavy wear.
⚫ Multicolor
These uniquely decorative paints consist of individual flecks of
different colors, subtly blended to achieve the natural appearance of
such materials as granite, cork, leather and stone. It is a dispersion
of cellulose colors in water.
⚫ Textured or plastic: -These are usually plaster based (limestone, sand,
water). They give a textured finish to the surface. After the paints is
applied it is worked upon by using combs, palette knives etc.
⚫ Micro porous
They have a rubberized base and give only a slight gloss. They offer
elasticity, allowing the movement when the surface expands or
contracts
⚫ Primer
⚫ Undercoat
⚫ Anti- condensation
⚫ Radiator paint
⚫ Fire retardant
⚫ Bituminous
2. Wall Paper- Wallpaper is obtained in various sizes. The price varies
depending on the design & quality of the materials used.
⚫ It has a smooth or textured effect
⚫ Various pattern such as floral, geometric, striped, abstract etc
are available
⚫ The choice depends on the aspect, light, size and use of the
room
4. Fabric Wall Covering- it is possible to cover the wall surface with any
fabric and it’s durability will depend on the type of fiber and the weave
used during its manufacture. Fabrics used as wall coverings can be
divided into two categories – Woven fabrics, e.g. hessian (used as
wallpaper). Hangings, e.g. tapestries, oriental carpets, drape. Fabrics
chosen should not be liable to sag, buckle or stretch when hung
permanently on the wall and should not collect excessive dust or
dirt.Wild silk or other beautiful fabric maybe padded for heat and sound
insulation but silks and tapestries are expensive, and thus found only in
luxurious establishments only. Hessian, linen and some acetate viscose
fabrics are cheaper and used more extensively. Fabrics are subject to
attack by moths and mildew, hence proper proofing should be done .
5. Glass Wall covering- Glass can be used in the form of decorative tiles,
mosaics, bricks or full sheets. Glass bricks allow light to pass through the
wall itself. Coloured opaque glass sheets or tiles may be used in
bathrooms. Mirror tiles are used to reflect light and to alter the
apparent size of the room or corridor. Sometimes antique mirror tiles
are used to give a duller surface with lesser reflection. Large uniform
mirrors may be used to cover the whole wall like over a vanity unit, or
dressing table or on a corridor wall. A glassless mirror is also available
which is lighter (almost 1/5 the weight of the conventional mirror), does
th
not form mist and will not shatter if dropped. It consists of polyester
film, vacuum coated with aluminium and mounted on a flat frame.
6. Metal wall Covering- Metals may be used for their decorative and
hygienic qualities.
⚫ The metals normally used are copper, anodized aluminum and
stainless steel
⚫ Others – Linoleum, carpets, marble, granite
7. Mirror- Huge mirrors are used at points to cover and decorate the wall.
8. Ceramic- Ceramic tiles are one of the oldest and longest- lasting
flooring materials known.
⚫ Ceramic tiles are an appropriate choice for any floor but they are
especially well suited for such areas as bathrooms, kitchens, hallways,
⚫ Ceramic tiles can be used on the walls, especially in bathrooms and
kitchens
9. Cork- Cork tiles can be a beautiful and durable way to provide warmth
to a room. Cork tiles are a good alternative to wood and provide a
unique, eye-catching.
Wall covering Pictures
6. CLEANING ORGANISATION AND SPECIAL CLEANING
2. Wet and damp mopping- It is used to remove spills & adhered soil that
was not removed during the dry removal process.Wet-mopping will
remove light to heavy soil from the floor surface, which could otherwise
become embedded in the surface or encapsulated in the seal or
finish.Before the floor can be wet- mopped it must be dust mopped.Add
neutral or mild alkaline detergent to mop water for wet-mopping.The
detergent used must be of the variety that needs no rinsing or else spray
diluted from spray bottle & mop with a damp mop.Mix the appropriate
cleaner with water in the mop bucket and apply it to the floor.If using
mop water, immerse the mop in the bucket & wring it out until it is only
damp.First, finish mopping near baseboards in smooth strokes.Then
mop the entire area with the figure- eight strokesThe water in the
bucket should be changed when it becomes dirty.A brush may be used
for stubborn spots & a squeegee should be used to help speed the
drying of the floor.Empty the mop bucket, rinse it with clean water and
hand it to dry.
3. Vacuuming-This is the basic & preparatory step to all other mechanized
procedures & should be performed regularly.Very often it must also be
repeated at end of these processes.The goal is to remove as much dry
soil as possible so that it does not spread, scratch the finish, or damage
the surface.Remove dirt from room corners and carpet edges.Plugin the
vacuum cleaning to an appropriate power point.Vacuum from one side
of the room to the other.Vacuuming with high filtration machines is the
most complete method of dry soil removal as it picks up, packages, &
removes soil without spreading it around.Wet vacuum cleaners are now
available, which help to mop water from floors as well.These are usually
dual- function machines that can be used for both wet & dry
work.Extraction machines for cleaning carpets also work on the principle
of suction.
Frequency of cleaning –
1. Daily Cleaning-These are routine operations carried out on a day-
to-day basis by the staff of the housekeeping department. These
include regular servicing of guestrooms, cleaning of bathrooms
and toilets, suction- cleaning of floors and floor coverings, and so
on.
Understand the meaning of Public area and list the different areas
in the hotel -
Public areas are the common places and facilities accessible to in-house guests
and non-resident guests. Guests require common areas to meet, sit and carry
other activities. The place comes under the lobby, restaurants, bars, banquets,
and other Food and Beverage Outlets. Public area cleaning is the most
important and challenging task for hotel / hospitality housekeeping. Since most
of the public areas are highly traffic areas, housekeeping maintains a deep
cleaning schedule for those areas at night and regular cleaning and
maintenance during the day time.
Different areas in a hotel are-
a) Entrance– Guests get their 1st impression of the hotel from the entrance
lobby. Entrances which are not cleaned and maintained daily will become
unpleasant for the guest due to heavy traffic and exposure. The maintenance
and cleaning of the entrance and the door is important . So proper and daily
cleaning is required in these areas. Normally cleaning is done at night.
b) Lobbies- These are the common meeting points of the guest near the
reception. Many lobbies are carpeted while others are hard flooring. Floors in
the lobbies need to be cleaned frequently., since these are spaces where
guests interact., relax etc. Lobbies may have high ceilings and elaborate
chandeliers which are difficult to clean so it is cleaned at night. The daily
cleaning tasks involves
d) Elevators- Elevators must be cleaned at the time of day when it is least
used. The necessary boards indicating the cleaning is carried out must be
displayed promptly. Elevator doors are made of steel. The steel door shows
lots of grease marks from fingers easily. Elevators should be cleaned daily and
more through cleaning may be done on a periodic basis.
g) Banquet hall- Banquet hall mainly used for conferences, weddings exhibition
etc. So proper public area cleaning is required for this department. The
cleaning includes mopping of floor, vacuuming of the floor carpets regular
dusting of fixture and furniture are required.
h) Health club – Health club is another hotel facility provided to the guest to
exercise and work out. So proper cleaning of machines is required daily
because it is the busiest area. The cleaning tasks of the health club are as
follows
1. Proper dusting of equipment.
2. Damp dusting of furniture
3. Cleaning of glass and window panel.
4. Cleaning of carpet floor
5. Removing soil linens and replacing with the fresh linen for future use.
i) Swimming Pool- Regular Public area cleaning and disinfecting of swimming
pools is important for the point of hygiene. If it is not regularly cleaned,
swimming pools may become carriers of water borne disease.
8. GUEST HANDLING