You might have a new maid or the old one might be forgetting to do all that she’s supposed to. Why not give her a checklist that can help her keep a track on all her chores.
If you are starting off in the housekeeping business, there are some basic rules that will have to be followed if you want to build a good reputation for yourself, your firm, or the hotel that you are employed by. Although the requirements of every hotel, employer, and client will differ according to individual needs, there are a few rules that will remain the same across all domains. If you specialize in home cleaning services, you need a basic checklist to make sure that your professionalism reflects through your work.
A checklist helps in case you forget something. You can refer to your checklist every now and then while cleaning, to make sure you’ve covered everything. To make a basic checklist if you have to go to someone’s home and clean it, start off with the most prominent items to be cleaned, like the furniture, and then move on to progressively smaller items, and finally the nooks and crannies.
Checklist for Housekeeping Staff
Living Room
The living room is the first room of your house and the area which makes the first impression on guests. They say, ‘first impression is the last impression’. So, if the room’s in a mess, imagine the ghastly impression it will create!
Checklist for Living Room
- Dust all the items in the living room with a dry cloth first.
- Now clean every item with a wet cloth, so that they regain the shine.
- Clean the ceiling fans and the switch board with cleaning agents.
- Vacuum the sofas, specially the nooks and corners.
- Wash the lampshades for brighter lights.
- Throw away the dead flowers and trim the house plants, if you have any.
- Picture frames should be dusted.
- Rearrange scattered items such as books, pens, directories, wires, telephone, carpet and tables.
- Change the covers of the sofa cushions, and fluff the cushions.
Kitchen
The kitchen gets dirty due to grime that settles down owing to oily cooking. The walls get blackened and a stale smell gets trapped in the room. Household cleaning checklist must have a special focus on the kitchen areas, as it needs to be hygienic.
Checklist for Kitchen
- Wash all the vessels, either in a dish washer or manually. Preferably wash them in lukewarm water.
- Clean the kitchen platform with water and cleaning agents.
- The cabinet doors and especially the handles have to be wiped clean.
- The crockery/china/glasses etc., need to be removed and cleaned regularly. Also, the surfaces of the shelves in the cabinets need to be wiped clean.
- Appliances, too, need a wash every once in a while. Avoid using water directly on them. Instead use a damp cloth.
- Clean the window sills and oil marks on the glass.
- Empty the trash daily and wash the dustbin frequently. Use trash liners, and replace them every time you throw the old one out.
- Clean and wipe the dining table and the chairs.
- Most importantly, clean the refrigerator. Throw away any stale items that are hogging unnecessary space.
- Wash and disinfect the counter top, backsplash and baseboards.
Bedroom
The bedroom is an individual space. Also one where we not only sleep, but hang around and lie in on lazy mornings. So how would it be if the sheets were dirty, and the bed unmade all the time?
Checklist for Bedroom
- Carpet cleaning should be done with vacuum cleaners.
- Make the beds and change the bed sheets and bed covers.
- Change the pillow cases and fluff the pillows and arrange them properly on the bed.
- Dust all the surfaces and items in the bedroom.
- Clean the lampshades and light fixtures.
- Dust the fan and wipe it clean.
- Dust the picture frames, so that the picture stands out and not the dust.
- Clean the mirrors and throw away the redundant items on the dressing table.
- Clean the windows and the sills.
- Change the curtains and put the earlier ones for a wash.
- Dust and wipe the wardrobe/closet from inside as well as outside, and air it weekly.
Bathroom
If we use the bathroom to keep ourselves clean, why can’t we keep the bathrooms clean?
Checklist for Bathroom
- All the cleaning in the bathroom should be done with a disinfectant and with warm water.
- Wash the sink and disinfect it. Clean the cabinets and wipe the shelves clean.
- The shower and tub needs to be disinfected, washed and rinsed clean.
- Change the towels and put the earlier ones for a wash.
- Clean the toilet inside, outside, at the rim and at the base with a strong disinfectant.
- Wipe the mirror clean and get rid of all the marks.
- Bathroom fixtures have to be washed and cleaned with a disinfectant, as lots of people touch it.
- Wipe the floor with a cloth and mop it dry.
- Keep the bathroom dry when it is not in use.
- Make sure the supplies like soaps, shampoos, conditioners, oils, and toilet roll are replenished as and when necessary.
- Air the bathroom daily, to prevent mold and dampness.
Corridors or Lobbies
Corridors and lobbies usually tend to get ignored because of their size, but they are usually the ones that make an impression and reveal your attention to detail.
Checklist for Corridors or Lobbies
- Dust all the surfaces and wipe them with a damp cloth.
- Clean all the lamps, chandeliers, sconces, picture frames, wall hangings, etc.
- Make sure that there are no cobwebs in the corners.
- The windows and blinds need to be dusted.
- Since the shoe rack is usually kept in the lobby, make sure that it is clean.
- Clean all the show pieces and figurines/collectibles with care and attention to detail.
Checklist come in handy when you are working within time constraints, since that is when one usually tends to forget things due to stress. Keeping the house clean will help make it a home! Not for nothing is it said that cleanliness is next to godliness!
