Housekeeping Operations
Domain 6 tests cleaning procedures, room inspection, linen control, key control and safety in guest areas. The examiner looks for sequence, hygiene and respect for the guest's privacy.
Core rules and concepts
- Housekeeping sections include rooms, public areas, linen and laundry, control desk and horticulture.
- Cleaning types include daily stayover service, departure cleaning, deep cleaning, spring cleaning and public-area cleaning.
- Standard departure sequence: check room and DND, strip linen, dust from high to low, make the bed, clean the bathroom, vacuum, replace amenities and do a final check.
- Use colour-coded cloths to prevent cross-contamination. Never use the same cloth for the toilet and drinking glasses.
- Follow chemical dilution and safety instructions. Store chemicals away from food and linen.
- Respect DND. Follow lost-and-found logging, key control and room-inspection checklists.
Worked example
A 120-room hotel has 80 departures and 60 arrivals, including a VIP arriving at 11:00 in room 512, which is a departure room. Reasoning: clean 512 first because arrival time and guest status outrank numerical order. Next clean departure rooms for early arrivals, then stayover rooms, then vacant rooms for inspection. Never enter a DND room; slip a notice and inform the supervisor. The reason is that departure rooms become saleable inventory, and late cleaning blocks check-in.
Traps that cost marks
- Using one cloth for all surfaces, spreading germs.
- Entering a DND room without following policy.
- Mixing dirty and clean linen.
- Not logging lost property immediately.
- Leaving chemicals or cleaning tools unattended in guest areas.