According to a Statista survey, 84% of travelers say hotel cleanliness ranks as one of the most important factors they consider when deciding to book a hotel room. Hotel cleaning is essential to not only attracting new guests but retaining existing guests and customer satisfaction as well. Tables covered in dust and grime, stained upholstery or carpet, and general filth is the last thing guests want to see when they arrive for their stay. This can result in negative online reviews, bad brand perception and canceled or decreased reservations. These factors combined can potentially impact revenue over time.
Hotel Cleaning Challenges
Keeping hundreds of hotel rooms and surfaces in your facility spotless and sanitized can be overwhelming. Guests are always checking in and out, managers are extremely busy, and sometimes housekeeping staff or janitors don’t have enough time to complete cleaning tasks and duties. It’s estimated that housekeeping is allotted just 45 minutes for hotel room cleaning. Within that time frame, they have a long list of responsibilities. This includes replacing toiletries, sheets, and comforters and removing the trash. Sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces and objects oftentimes is not a priority, putting guests and staff at risk for infection. There is also a lack of knowledge about which surfaces require more attention than others and the best practices for keeping them clean and safe for guests.
The Significance of Hotel Cleaning
In hotels, many people share the same surfaces, objects, and areas each day, which allows germs to spread easily. A recent study revealed that hotel elevator buttons have nearly 40 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, and a whopping 81% of surfaces in more than 100 hotel rooms tested positive for fecal bacteria during an inspection. Common infections guests acquire in unclean hotels and rooms include MRSA, Staph, influenza, rhinovirus (the common cold) and norovirus. If a guest developed an infection or sickness after staying in your hotel, you could receive a bad online review, be required to issue a refund or credit, or even experience a lawsuit.
Brand reputation and perception are also affected by hotel cleanliness. Online reviews and forums are brutal and the last thing you want is for your hotel to be described as dirty, unclean or filthy by guests. 96% of travelers take reviews into consideration when booking a hotel, so you want to make sure that reviews and shared experiences are positive. Simply put, cleanliness is a non-negotiable factor that customers expect when visiting any hotel or lodging establishment.
Consequences of Failing to Clean Your Hotel
An unclean also hotel wards off new guests who have high standards for cleanliness. According to one study, 90% of travelers will avoid booking hotels that are described as dirty in a review. This is why hotels will often prioritize housekeeping services above bed comfort, customer service, and other services. Customers expect a certain level of both cleanliness and sanitation, factors that must be maintained. Messy rooms with smudges on surfaces, stained upholstery, sheets, and bedding are all signs of lack of sanitation, upkeep, and care. Existing guests and travelers will be unlikely to return, and new guests will be scared away – choosing other cleaner hotels over yours.
Hotel Cleaning Hotspots
Although it is important to keep all areas of a hotel room clean and tidy, certain objects are known to collect and breed high levels of bacteria. A 2012 study stated the top surfaces in a hotel most likely to collect germs. They were the light switch, TV remote, telephone, bathtub, toilet handle, door knobs and handles, and countertops and desks. Guests touch these items multiple times a day, creating many opportunities for microbes to transfer. Bacteria also builds up in bedspreads and sheets since many hotels admit to not washing them. Bathrooms also harbor a high number of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Sinks, toilets, and tubs come into contact with bodily fluids and skin making them a favorite place for dangerous microorganisms. These items can also be difficult and time-consuming to clean, making some housekeeping staff skip them altogether.
Hotel Cleaning Tips
Wipe Surfaces Regularly
Use a premoistened wipe to remove spills, dust, dirt, fingerprints, and other forms of grime from surfaces. Focus on tables, counters, and desks. To remove or kill bacteria on these surfaces use a disinfectant. Clean the objects listed at least once a day to prevent build up.
Disinfect High Touch Surfaces Weekly
Disinfect high touch surfaces to kill dangerous lurking bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can infect guests and staff. Use a Disinfectant wipe to destroy germs on fitness equipment, remotes, light switches, door handles, elevator buttons, the front desk, keyboards, handrails, touchscreens/touchpads, in eating areas such as bars and restaurants, and more. These surfaces have multiple people touching them each day and have the highest concentration of bacteria. Disinfect them at least once a week or once every few days.
Clean Windows DailyÂ
Clean windows to remove smudges, dirt, fingerprints and grime buildup. Windows are one of the first things guests notice, so you want to keep them sparkling clean. Clean your windows at least once a week. Spot clean each day as needed.
Sweep and Vacuum Daily
Sweep and vacuum carpets regularly to remove debris and particles. With dozens of guests venturing in and out of your facility, it’s not uncommon for things to be dropped. Routine sweeping and vacuuming keep floors free from hair strands, pieces of dirt, sand, and other things.
Deep Clean Carpet, Upholstery and Other soft Surfaces Often
Deep clean carpet, upholstery and other soft surfaces. These items play a key role in the appearance of your facility. No guest is going to want to sit on a dirty, stained couch or chair, let alone walk on a filthy carpet. Schedule deep cleanings to remove deep stains like accumulated dirt, wine, coffee, makeup, and more. Don’t forget to have floors deep cleaned too!
Hotel Cleaning Options
There are a few options that can help keep your hotel clean. You can delegate tasks to staff members and provide them with a schedule, or you can hire an outside cleaning agency to handle cleaning tasks for you. When assigning cleaning tasks to employees, be sure to train them on sanitation procedures. They should know how often they need to be cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting surfaces, what chemicals or products to use, and the risks associated with not cleaning them. A hotel cleaning service should well-versed in all functions. Although it may cut into your budget, operating, and maintenance costs, it can save time and make hotel cleaning easier. Regardless of the method you choose, it’s important to create and implement a regular cleaning schedule to ensure all rooms and areas are cleaned as needed.
Hotel Cleaning Is The Secret To Success
Keeping your hotel germ-free, dirt-free, and spotless has a big impact on your hotel’s bottom line. In addition to the great service and accommodations your facility already provides guests, a clean hotel completes their experience with you. Current guests will rebook with you, refer you to friends and family, and give positive reviews, all of which increases revenue.