Housekeeping Department: Functions, Processes, and Importance Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the housekeeping department within a hotel setting. It begins with an introduction to housekeeping, defining its core purpose of providing a clean, comfortable, and safe environment. The report emphasizes the importance of housekeeping as the backbone of a hotel's operations, highlighting its 24/7 nature and its significant contribution to the overall reputation and guest experience. It details the various functions and responsibilities of the housekeeping department, including coordinating with other departments, managing linen and supplies, and ensuring adherence to safety and security regulations. The report also presents an organizational chart of a typical housekeeping department, outlining the hierarchical structure and roles of different staff members, from the executive housekeeper to room attendants. Furthermore, it provides a step-by-step process for cleaning a check-in room, covering tasks from inspecting the room to replenishing items and adding finishing touches. Finally, the report concludes by reiterating the crucial role of a well-organized housekeeping department in enhancing a hotel's profitability.

HOUSEKEEPING
JAY PANDYA 0
HOUSEKEEPING
JAY PANDYA

HOUSEKEEPING
JAY PANDYA 1
Index
1. Introduction of Housekeeping ………………………………………………………………2
2. Importance of Housekeeping ………………………………………………………………2
3. Function & Responsibilites of Housekeeping ……………………………………….3
4. Organizational Chart of Housekeeping Department ……………………..4
5. Process for Cleaning the Check-In Room ………………………………………..……7
6. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………….………………10
7. References ……………………………………………………………………….………………10

HOUSEKEEPING
JAY PANDYA 2
Introduction
Housekeeping may be defined as ‘provision of a clean, comfortable, safe
and aesthetically appealing environment’.
The housekeeping Department in a hotel is responsible for the cleanliness,
maintenance & aesthetic upkeep of hotel. The housekeeping department
takes pride in keeping the hotel clean and comfortable. The room sale is
dependent on, apart from the several other things, the quality of room
décor, room facilities, cleanliness of room and how safe it is. Good
housekeeping is an invisible service, in that guests only really take notice
of it when your team fails to deliver the expected standards of cleanliness.
Importance of Housekeeping
• Housekeeping is the backbone of the Hotel.
• Housekeeping department is 24 x 7 x 365 operation,
• Housekeeping is an ancillary department that contributes in a big
way towards the overall reputations of a property.
• It stacks the needed linen to make up all the beds in hotel, the huge
amount of bathroom supplies, guest room supplies etc.
• Housekeeping department also deals with the cleaning equipment
and cleaning agents with the right cleaning procedures for the
maintenance of the hotel property

HOUSEKEEPING
JAY PANDYA 3
Functions & Responsibilites
• Achieve the maximum possible efficiency in ensuring the care and
comfort of guests and in smooth running of the department.
• Co-ordinate with front office department for efficient sale of rooms.
• Provide linen in rooms, restaurants, banquets halls, conference venues,
health clubs and so on moreover provide uniforms for all staff and
adequate inventories for the same and maintain floral decorations
and maintain landscape areas of hotel.
• Coordinate with the purchase department for the procurement of
guests supplies, cleaning agents, equipment’s fabrics, carpets, and
other items used in hotel.
• Cater to the laundering requirements of the hotel linen, staff uniforms
and guest clothing.
• Ensure updations of records, form, formats and systematic operation
and for auditing purposes.
• Deale with lost and found articles.
• Establish a good working relationship with other department.
• Keep the general manager or administrator informed of all matters
requiring attention.
• Ensure that safety and security regulations are made known to all
staffs and department.

HOUSEKEEPING
JAY PANDYA 4
HK Department Organizational Chart
• The responsibilities is largely depend on the company’s size, structure
and composition of responsibilities.
• Housekeeping organizational charts may be vary as per Hotel star and
ratings where in this chart provides a clear picture of the line of
authority, The Housekeeping department in a large hotel is headed by
the executive housekeeper who reports to general/resident/room
division manager or the director depends on the hotel system.
Executive
Housekeeper
Assistant
Housekeeper
Floor Supervisor
Houseman
Room Attendants
Desk Supervisor
Runner
Public area
Supervisor
Public Area
Attendants
Clock Room
Attendents
Laundry
Supervisor
Laundry Room
Attendant

HOUSEKEEPING
JAY PANDYA 5
• Executive Housekeeper direct and control housekeeping operations
and staff of the Housekeeping department also coordinates between
housekeeping crews to inspect assigned areas to ensure standards
met.
• The Assistant Housekeeper supervise and coordinates activities of
room attendant, house attendant, public area cleaners and floor
supervisors.
• Floor Supervisor will be responsible for maintain guestrooms, working
areas, and the hotel premises in general in a clean and orderly
manner and coordinating daily housekeeping operations.
• Desk Supervisor responsible for all calls coming to the desk and to
convey the right message to the right person. Maintaining records
related to day to day operations of Housekeeping.
• Public Area Supervisor responsible for the cleanliness of hotels public
areas and including hotel exteriors.
• Laundry Supervisor responsible to oversee the team of linen and
uniform attendants towards achieving the operational objectives.
• Houseman role is typically involves a range of activities related to
ensuring hotel is kept clean, sanitized and well-stocked with amenities.
• Room Attendant’s primary duties are to take room service orders and
bring the order to a guest’s room.
• Runner is responsible for assisting housekeeping staff with stocking all
housekeeping items and responding to housekeeping requests.

HOUSEKEEPING
JAY PANDYA 6
• Public Area Attendant performs guests service needs and cleaning
tasks in public areas and other locations.
• Clock Room Attendant’s job is to keep personal belongings safe and
return them to the owners when they leave.
• Laundry Room Attendant tracks linen usage and provides clean linens
as requested.

HOUSEKEEPING
JAY PANDYA 7
Process for Cleaning the Check-In Room
The check in rooms are cleaned when the guest is about to occupy the
room. A checklist of room readiness is shared between the guest room
supervisor and the guest room attendants. The supervisor inspects the
readiness of the room for occupancy.

HOUSEKEEPING
JAY PANDYA 8
1. Inspect & Air Out The Guest Room
If possible open the window and air out the room and check the
electronics things like fan, lamp, kitchen facilities etc.
2. Remove The Linens
Remove all the linen from the bed and check for any stains or
problems with the mattress, mattress pad, bed frame etc.
3. Clear The Trash
Pick up any trash left in the room. Be sure to look in unexpected
places where trash may be lurking such as inside the drawers, in
corners, around the bed frame, in windowsills and even behind the
dressers.
Then gather mugs, glasses, room service trays etc.
4. Dust Everything
Be sure to wipe dust from the highest surfaces to the lowest
surfaces, includes lampshades, artwork and window sills.
5. Wipe & Disinfect Surfaces
Next, clean all the hard surface such as remote control, telephone
door handles, light switches etc. Also clean items like picture frames,
the base of lamp and lampshades, door and the handle of fridge
etc.

HOUSEKEEPING
JAY PANDYA 9
6. Make the Bed
Be sure to smooth out every part of the bed starting with the
mattress pad. Replace everything from pillows to the sheets to the
bedspread so your guest can have a clean and pleasant
experience.
7. Clean the Bathroom
The bathroom is an absolutely critical space to keep spotless. You
want to clean and disinfect every part of the bathroom from the
toilet to the tub/shower to the sink.
8. Replenish Items
Along with cleaning the hotel room, you want to restock all items as
needed. These include toiletries, laundry bags, menus,
refreshments, etc.
9. Vacuum, Sweep, And Mop the Floors
Next, be sure to vacuum, sweep and mop the floors depending on
the flooring using cleaning material if needed.
10. Add Finishing Touches
Two additional things that can significantly impact a hotel room is
the smell and the temperature.
11.Take One Final Look
Once you’ve completed all the steps listed above, double-check
everything is in place and meets the standards of your hotel.

HOUSEKEEPING
JAY PANDYA 10
Conclusion
By considering all the points, At the end of the day without this hard working
department, we wouldn’t function as a resort or hotel. With this said a well
organize Housekeeping department is one of the best ingredients to
increase profitability in the organization.
References
• Tutorials Point 2021 Available at
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/hotel_housekeeping/hotel_housekeeping_cleanings.htm
(Accessed On: 26/09/2021)
• https://setupmyhotel.com/train-my-hotel-staff/hk/789-housekeeping.html (Accessed on:
26/09/2021)
• Dr. Prena N. Bhautik 2021 Introduction to Hotel Housekeeping Available at
https://aissmschmct.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/BSc-HS-Sem-I-Housekeeping-
Operations-I-HS-103-Chapter-1.pdf (Accessed on: 26/09/2021)
• G. Raghubalan, Smritee Raghubalan. (2015). Hotel Housekeeping: Operations and Management
(Seventh ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Sudhir Andrews. (2009). Housekeeping Training Manual. Tata McGraw- Hill Education.
• Hotel Cleaning Service 2021 available at https://hotelcleaningservices.com/hotel-cleaning-2020-
guide/ (Accessed on: 26/09/2021)
• Freepik 2021 available at https://www.freepik.com/home (Accessed on 26/09/2021)