Housekeeping Chapter 1

Importance of Housekeeping

• Housekeeping significantly influences guest satisfaction by ensuring a clean and comfortable environment.
• Defined as maintaining cleanliness, comfort, and safety across institutions, housekeeping requires systematic upkeep.
• Effective housekeeping involves routine cleaning, proper material storage, and regular maintenance to facilitate efficient operations.

Effects of Good Housekeeping

• Promotes a clean, hygienic, and appealing environment for guests and staff.
• Reduces unsafe conditions and prevents accidents.
• Maintains appropriate inventory levels for materials and prevents property damage.
• Creates a safer workplace environment, enhancing overall productivity.

Signs of Poor Housekeeping

• Untidy arrangements with visible dirt and dust.
• Damaged facilities, equipment, and spills that pose safety risks.
• Lack of maintenance leading to unpleasant environments.

Role and Responsibilities of Housekeeping

• Establishes a welcoming atmosphere by ensuring cleanliness and comfort for guests and staff.
• High standards are maintained across all areas, including laundering hotel linens and uniforms.
• Manages floral decorations and oversees property renovations and refurbishments.

Areas of Housekeeping Responsibility

• Front of House: Visible areas including guest rooms, entryways, restaurants, and public spaces.
• Back of House: Areas not typically seen by guests, such as staff offices, dining rooms, and storerooms.

Guestroom Responsibilities

• Ensures maintenance and orderliness, providing necessary amenities like linens and soap.
• Attends to guest service requests and keeps rooms safe for occupancy.

Public Area Responsibilities

• Manages cleanliness in shared spaces like lobbies, corridors, and function rooms.
• Maintains the surroundings of the building, promoting an appealing landscape and safety.

Back-of-the-House Responsibilities

• Oversees cleanliness in employee areas including locker rooms, offices, and dining facilities.

Specifying and Purchasing

• Responsible for procuring guest room supplies, cleaning equipment, uniforms, and linens for various hotel areas.

Additional Roles of the Housekeeping Department

• Provides laundry and dry-cleaning services, maintains linen and uniform rooms, manages flower decorations, and handles lost and found items.

Administrative Functions

• Conducts inventory checks, training, staffing, and reporting to ensure operational efficiency.

Advisory Role

• Offers guidance on selection, refurbishment, and maintenance of furniture and interior design elements.