10 Tips to Help You Become a Faster Hotel Housekeeper
 |
1) Set yourself up for success
There are plenty of ways to help yourself get through your daily tasks more quickly. To start, consider using traditional cleaning tools like dust mops and bucket mops rather than vacuums.
The former will be lighter in weight and require less time spent moving them around while they’re in use. Another time-saving tip is to be more organized from home on: Wash laundry as soon as you can so it doesn’t pile up; pack your suitcase for work ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about doing it at 4:30 in the morning; put your lunch together on Sunday night so that all you have to do Monday morning is grab it and go.
2) Create routines and stick to them
As a housekeeper, you need to be prepared and organized, particularly when you’re responsible for multiple rooms. A typical day in your life is likely full of chaotic situations you can combat these pressures by establishing routines.
For example, prepare your cleaning supplies in advance, so that all you have to do is grab them and get going! When you’re constantly running around from room to room, having everything ready makes it far easier for you to work more efficiently.
3) Properly store cleaning supplies
Properly storing cleaning supplies can make all of your rooms look presentable and clean. It also means that you’ll be able to find everything easily when you need it.
Clear out any unnecessary or unused items from your cleaning closet, then start organizing. Go through all of your supplies, and put similar items together similar types of cleaners and disinfectants should be grouped together, as should other common materials like rags and sponges.
4) Make it a habit
The best way to speed up in any job is through repetition. The more you practice an activity, whether it’s folding towels or vacuuming, the faster you can do it. It takes time and discipline, but it will make all of your tasks much easier over time.
There are also tricks that many housekeepers use that can help you be even faster, such as:
- Put linens into a hamper rather than putting them on the floor for transport.
- Put away dirty laundry immediately after doing so; don’t pile it on top of other clothes because this will only make it harder to find what’s clean and what’s not when sorting laundry later.
- Separate cleaning products from dishware so they’re easily accessible when needed.
- Add pictures and landmarks around your work space for easy reference as to where everything should go before beginning a task (especially important if room numbers are difficult to remember).
5) Keep your eyes open
A fast hotel housekeeper doesn’t miss a thing. They’re on top of everything, always. How do they do it? If you want to learn how to be faster at your job, pay attention.
Be aware of your surroundings and keep your eyes open for anything out of place. When you’re in-room cleaning, take notes on things that can be improved upon; chances are other housekeepers have spotted these same areas that need some TLC before you arrive.
6) Focus on deep cleaning
While it may be tempting to tackle only those items that look grimy, focus on doing a more comprehensive job. This will increase your efficiency and help ensure guests won’t spot any dust or dirt when they visit your establishment. When deep cleaning, use tools such as brooms and dusters, buckets and mops, vacuum cleaners and scrub brushes.
7) Organize your time effectively
Whether you’re cleaning guest rooms or washing laundry, housekeeping work is often done in a rush. But there are ways to make your time more efficient. We talked with professional housekeepers from hotels across America to find out their best tricks for being faster. Here are 10 tips that will help you clean fast and keep your energy up for long shifts
8) Have backup tasks ready
We’ve all had them, those days where there is just not enough time to get everything done. What’s important for you as a housekeeper is that you have backup tasks ready for when you need them.
Cleaning doesn’t need to be linear there are always ways you can clean things faster than others (read: more efficient cleaning tricks). When things get really crazy and it looks like you won’t make your deadline, call in your backup task!
9) Don’t overwork yourself
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in cleaning and forget to take care of yourself. Be sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals, and taking breaks. Do your best at work while still taking good care of yourself! Here are some tips that can help
10) Listen to music or an audiobook
Some hotel housekeepers listen to music while they work. Music can distract you from boredom and allow you to get lost in your thoughts both are important if you need mental stimulation while working.
Audiobooks provide similar benefits, but don’t use them as an excuse for daydreaming: Pay attention to what’s happening on the recording! If necessary, pause your listening so that you don’t lose focus.
