Accommodation and Housekeeping
What is tested
Room-status codes, cleaning procedure and sequence, bed making, cleaning agents, linen and laundry, lost property and guest security.
Core rules
- Room status: VC (vacant clean), VD (vacant dirty), OC (occupied clean), OD (occupied dirty), OOO (out of order), OOS (out of service), DND (do not disturb), MUR (make up room), SLEEP.
- Entering: knock and announce, wait, knock again, open slowly, leave the door ajar if appropriate.
- Cleaning sequence: ventilate, remove rubbish, strip and remake the bed, clean the bathroom, dust from high to low, clean glass and mirrors, vacuum, restock, final check.
- Bed making: mattress protector, fitted sheet, top sheet, duvet or blankets, pillowcases, hospital corners.
- Cleaning agents: detergent, disinfectant, abrasive, acid descaler, solvent, air freshener. Never mix bleach with ammonia or acid - toxic gas.
- Colour-coded cloths prevent cross-contamination: for example red for toilets, blue for general surfaces.
Worked example
A room shows OD with a DND sign. Do not enter. Record the time, inform the supervisor and try again later; slide a note under the door. DND is overridden only for a genuine emergency such as fire or a medical alarm. Reasoning: guest privacy and safety take priority over cleaning schedules, but the department still needs a record trail.
Traps
- Using one cloth for the toilet and the basin.
- Stripping the bed before checking for guest property.
- Mixing cleaning chemicals for a “stronger” effect.
- Ignoring OOO rooms when counting occupancy.