International Housekeeping Week

A week not celebrated by many, but well worth noting is International Housekeeping Week. As a guy that got his hospitality career started in the rooms division, housekeeping is one of those departments that will always be near and dear to my heart for a number of reasons. I fell into the housekeeping department out of necessity. I was doing just fine keeping my front office department running like a well-oiled machine, but things were a different story on the other side of the building. I was asked, make that told, that help was needed in the housekeeping department and so I obliged (code for: did what I was told).

I loved my time in the department, and have enjoyed my time in numerous other housekeeping departments throughout my career. It’s fast-paced, detail-oriented, and process-driven – all things I have a personal affinity for. For me, it was when I truly learned how a hotel actually works and all the work that goes into hosting a total stranger from start to finish. So for all of the hardworking housekeepers out there, thank you for everything you do. For everyone else, here are five things you might not know about hotel housekeeping and maybe a couple of things they wish you knew.

1. The front desk isn't usually lying to you when they tell you your room isn't ready. Yes, it can be frustrating, but believe me, you don't want them cutting corners up there. You should see what some people leave for housekeepers to clean up! Besides, isn't it in our best interest to get you to your room, anyway?
2. Hotels pay housekeepers in different ways. Some hotels pay these employees hourly, just as they do many of the staff members. Others pay by the room. While both systems have their advantages, they come with their pitfalls, too. There’s so many variables… trashed rooms, the number of ‘do not disturb’ signs, occupied room locations on different floors, hotel occupancy, varying room types and sizes, and many more.
3. The average number of rooms a housekeeper cleans in an eight-hour shift is 14 to 16. And that includes time spent on other things such as attending the daily pre-shift meeting, loading and unloading carts, traveling between floors, restocking, guest interruptions, and more.
4. It’s not the guest’s job to make things easier on the staff, but simple things can help make someone else’s day a little better. I’m not asking you to strip your own bed, but placing your used towels in a single pile and making sure all trash is in the bin doesn't take a lot of effort and will cut down on the work the staff must do to prepare for the next guest. And for trash cans without a plastic bag, dental floss and other personal items should be wrapped in toilet paper or tissue before going into the bin.
5. Tips are nice. Many guests don't tip housekeepers. And even when guests do leave cash in the room, they usually can't take it. If money is left on the bedside table without a note, they won’t take it because it could mean that it’s not intended for housekeeping. Better safe than sorry on that one – trust me. Leaving money on top of or underneath the pillow typically means it’s for the room attendant. It’s best to always leave a note or place it in a labeled envelope (usually available with the stationery in the guest services directory).