Room attendants clean every room in the same cleaning sequence, so nothing is missed. You work top to bottom and in one direction, finishing with the floor. The room standard shows exactly how the finished room must look.
Why it matters
Guests judge the whole hotel by their room. A fixed sequence gives the same result every time and keeps you within the time allowed per room.
Key ideas
Top to bottom
Dust lamps, shelves and picture frames before lower surfaces, so falling dust lands where you have not cleaned yet.
One direction
Work clockwise or anticlockwise around the room, so you pass every surface once and notice anything you skipped.
Room standard
A checklist, often with photos, of how the bed, amenities and furniture should look. Supervisors inspect rooms against it.
Step by step
- 1
Knock, announce 'Housekeeping' and park your trolley across the doorway.
- 2
Open the curtains, switch on the lights and check for damage or left items.
- 3
Strip the bed, empty the bins and remove used glasses.
- 4
Make the bed, then dust from top to bottom around the room.
- 5
Clean the bathroom, restock, then vacuum back towards the door.
Do
- Check the lights, TV and kettle work as you go.
- Take everything you need in on the first trip.
- Check the room from the doorway before leaving.
Common mistakes
- Don't vacuum before the surfaces above the floor are done.
- Don't skip steps when rushed; one hair can mean a complaint.
- Don't leave cloths or products behind.
The situation
You are behind, with three checkouts left, and tempted to skip the high shelves in room 305 because they look clean.
What a professional does
You dust them anyway, because supervisors check high surfaces. Instead, you save time by planning your trips and tell your supervisor you are behind.
Useful phrases
“Room 305 is ready for inspection.”
“I'm running behind. Could someone help with 310?”
Pro tip
Before leaving, scan the room from the doorway, as the guest will.
Quick check
Why do you vacuum the floor last?
Think about it, then show the answer
Dust falls as you clean higher surfaces, so vacuuming last removes it all in one go.