In the hustle and bustle of managing a hotel, certain cleaning tasks might slip the schedule. However, guests expect—and deserve—immaculate conditions the moment they enter your establishment. As a hotel owner or manager, you should know some things your hotel staff should probably be cleaning more often to exceed guest expectations and guarantee their safety.
Overlooked High-Touch Surfaces
Imagine the myriad of hands that open the hotel’s front door, push the elevator button, or turn the handle to the gym. These high-touch surfaces can become hotbeds for germs and bacteria if not cleaned regularly. Inside guest rooms, light switches, TV remotes, and phones are small items that probably don’t get sanitized as frequently as they should. Instituting a tight cleaning regimen for these small areas won’t affect aesthetics much, but it’s essential to preserve the health of your guests.
Coffee Makers
Those little machines in each room that brew a morning cup of comfort don’t often make the cleaning checklist. Your staff should refill and thoroughly clean coffee makers between guests. Coffee residues and water can breed bacteria and mold, creating a hidden hazard in what should be a soothing amenity.
Ice Machines
Another germ sanctuary that your staff might be passing over is the ice machine. While your hotel’s ice machine might not be in use as consistently as other appliances, it can still accumulate bacteria rapidly. How often you should clean your hotel’s ice machine depends, but every six months is a good time for thorough—and we mean thorough—cleaning. Regularly emptying, cleaning, and sanitizing the inside of the machine, as well as the scoops and buckets, can prevent the spread of illness and ensure the ice remains fresh.
Seating
The lobby’s plush sofa, the benches at the entrance, and the armchairs in each room all invite a moment of relaxation. However, they also collect dust, allergens, and germs that can be spread from guest to guest. Deep-cleaning these surfaces should occur regularly to maintain a pristine and hygienic atmosphere. A thorough cleaning means vacuuming and disinfecting the nooks and crannies to get to all the fabric fibers.
Air Vents
Lastly, what’s circulating through the air in your hotel is just as important as what’s visible to the eye. Air vents can harbor dust and allergens that reduce indoor air quality and could compromise the health of your guests and staff. Having your staff regularly clean and replace these filters will keep the air fresh and the environment healthy.
As you reflect on the various nuances of hotel management, remember these things your hotel staff should probably be cleaning more. Regular and enhanced cleaning of these areas will provide peace of mind to your guests during their stay and reinforce the reputation of your hotel as a haven of cleanliness and care.