6

Material Planning:
Supplies and
Equipment

■ Housekeeping Chemicals
Chemical Terminology
Selection Considerations
I n this chapter we con-
tinue our examination of material planning by the exec-
utive housekeeper. We now turn our attention to house-
All-Purpose Cleaners keeping supplies and equipment.
Single-Purpose Cleaners
Carpet Cleaners
Floor Care Products Housekeeping Chemicals
Pesticides
Handling and Storage of Chemicals Traditionally, housekeeping’s use of chemicals has con-
Chemical Packaging
stituted a balancing act. We have used chemicals that
were effective for their intended purpose, but if they
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard
were misused, they could present a real and immediate
A Final Word on Green Chemicals
hazard to the employee using them and to others (e.g.,
■ Cleaning Supplies and Equipment staff and guests) who came into direct contact with the
Cleaning Supplies substances. Little or no thought was given to the impact
Cleaning Equipment on health resulting from long-term exposure to these
chemicals. There was also little or no thought given to
■ Guest Supplies
what happens to the environment resulting from the cre-
Amenity Packages ation, use, or disposal of these chemicals. As long as they
Guest Essentials made our brass banisters brighter, our floors glossier, or
Guest Expendables our sheets whiter, that was all that mattered.
Guest Loan Items Times have changed. The first priority is now health—
health of our employees, our guests, our children, the
planet, and the unborn generations that will follow us.
The good news is that we are rapidly approaching the
day when we can protect our environment, remove un-
wanted soil from our buildings, kill pathogenic organ-
isms, and preserve, protect, and beautify the property.
However, we have to make dramatic changes in how we
clean, and we have to educate our people in these new
techniques and substances. At the same time, we have to
bury several myths associated with cleaning.

110
Housekeeping Chemicals 111

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
After studying the chapter, students should be able to:
1. Categorize chemicals used in the housekeeping department and state their intended uses.
2. Describe recent trends in chemical use and their impact on guests, staff, and, specifically, the housekeeping
department.
3. Describe the intended purposes of chemicals used in the housekeeping department and define common
chemical terms presented.
4. Identify common cleaning supplies and equipment used in the housekeeping department.
5. Describe recent innovations in cleaning supplies and equipment.
6. Describe common guest supplies.
7. Describe recent innovations in guest bath amenities.

Unfortunately, earlier editions of this text perpetu- ing chemicals emerging that are based on soybeans,
ated some of those myths by recommending chemicals milk, citrus fruits, and hydrogen peroxide. However, ex-
that did more harm than good. These can now be re- ecutive housekeepers need to be aware of overinflated
placed by chemicals that are far more environmentally claims. There are very few recognized standards for
benign, yet are up to the task. green chemicals. Terms such as “biodegradable,” “safe
The astute housekeeper knows the intended purpose for the environment,” “environmentally benign,” and
of every chemical in the department’s inventory. The even “nontoxic” are ambiguous.
housekeeper is also ultimately responsible for the cor- There simply are no universally accepted standards
rect handling and storage of each chemical so that it for green cleaning. However, there is Green Seal. Ac-
does not adversely affect either the user, the public, or cording to its website:
the environment.
Green Seal is an independent, non-profit organization
that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environ-
Chemical Terminology ment by identifying and promoting products and ser-
vices that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserve
When attempting to select the proper chemical for a par- resources and habitats, and minimize global warming
ticular housekeeping application, the executive house- and ozone depletion. Green Seal has no financial inter-
keeper is often at the mercy of the sales staff of the local est in the products that it certifies or recommends, or in
chemical supply firm because he or she is not familiar any manufacturer or company. Green Seal’s evaluations
with basic chemical terminology and the chemistry of are based on state-of-the-art science and information us-
cleaning. ing internationally recognized methods and procedures.
Chapter 13 has an entire section devoted to the chem- Thus, Green Seal provides credible, objective, and unbi-
istry of cleaning; the purpose of this section, however, is ased information whose only purpose is to direct the
purchaser to environmentally responsible products and
to acquaint the reader with a few basic terms that will
services.1
aid in the proper selection and use of these chemicals.
Although there are a number of chemicals in the Green Seal is a 13-year-old nonprofit environmental
housekeeping department that are used to protect and labeling organization. Green Seal operates under ISO
beautify floors, walls, and furniture, the majority of 14020 and 14024, which are the environmental standards
housekeeping chemicals are intended to clean, disinfect, for ecolabeling set by the International Organization for
and sanitize the environment. Standardization (ISO), and is the U.S. member of the
The intended use of detergents is to remove soil from Global Ecolabeling Network (GEN), the coordinating
a surface through a chemical action. Detergents dissolve body of the world’s 27 leading ecolabeling programs, in-
solid soils and hold the soils in a suspension away from cluding Germany’s Blue Angel and Scandinavia’s
the environmental surface, thus allowing them to be eas- Nordic Swan.
ily removed from that surface. Most detergents used in Green Seal has developed a standard for industrial and
housekeeping have been synthetic and were derived institutional cleaners (GS-37). It is very safe to assume
from a number of basic minerals, primarily sulfonated that any cleaning product having the Green Seal logo
hydrocarbons. Now there are a number of green clean- meets the highest available standards. (see Figure 6.1)
112 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

indicates alkalinity. Seven indicates a neutral compound.

Alkalies are often used to enhance the cleaning power
of synthetic detergents. Strong alkaline detergent clean-
ers should not be used on certain surfaces. (For more in-
formation on this topic, see Chapter 5.)
Disinfectants are chemical agents that have been
tested by the federal government and have been proven
to destroy pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate sur-
faces. It is important to understand that there are no in-
stantaneous disinfectants. Disinfectants need dwell time
on a surface. They must remain for a prescribed number
of minutes so the chemical can kill the bacteria and
viruses that are present. They are said to have a bacte-
riostatic effect. A bacteriostat prevents microbes from
Figure 6-1 Green Seal logo. (Courtesy of Green Seal, multiplying on a surface. Disinfectants are not intended
Washington, D.C.) to be used directly on humans or animals. Other similar
terms used to describe specific disinfectants are bacteri-
cides, fungicides, germicides, and virucides. There are dif-
ferent degrees or levels of cleaning, according to
EnvirOx’s H2Orange2 Concentrate 117 has not only Michael A. Berry. In his landmark work Protecting the
been tested and authorized to carry the Green Seal Built Environment, he lists three different levels of
mark, but is also an EPA-registered sanitizer-virucide cleaning: sterilization, disinfection, and sanitation. Steril-
that has been approved for use on food preparation sur- ized, says Berry, means that a surface is 100 percent free
faces. H2Orange2 has also received National Sanitation from contamination, disinfected means the vast majority
Foundation (NSF) approval as a sanitizer on all surfaces of pathogens have been removed, and sanitary means
in and around food-processing areas. These ratings re- that a surface has some contamination, but is clean to
quire that a potable water rinse of cleaned surfaces in the point that it protects health in general.2 The purpose
and around food processing areas be performed after us- of disinfectants is not to remove soils from surfaces, but
ing the product. there are a number of products on the market that com-
Other chemical manufacturers, such as Coastwide bine a synthetic detergent with a disinfectant so that a
Laboratories of Wilsonville, Oregon, have sought out surface can be cleaned and disinfected at the same time.
other independent third parties for the certification of The use of a disinfectant alone on a soiled surface is in-
their green chemicals. Coastwide developed the Sustain- effective, as the soil serves to protect the bacteria from
able Earth™ product line and submitted it to Coffey the germicidal action of the disinfectant. Combined
Laboratories for independent review against the Sus- detergent-disinfectant chemicals are quite effective if
tainable Earth2 standard—the entire line passed. The they are used according to directions. In certain in-
standard was based on a three-part process. First a set of stances, however, particularly in a hospital environment,
mandatory pass/fail criteria were established, and each it is necessary to first apply a detergent to remove soil
chemical was compared with the criteria. Each chemical buildup and then apply a disinfectant solution after the
had to pass all of the criteria or be instantly rejected. The surface has been cleaned. In most hotel applications,
second part of the process evaluated specific environ- it is perfectly acceptable to use combined detergent-
mental health and worker safety characteristics of each disinfectants. The great advantage to using detergent-
product. Point values were assigned to each criterion disinfectant solutions rather than separate solutions is
that was reflective of health and safety priorities. If a the labor saved by not having to wash the surface twice.
product scored more than an established threshold Common disinfectants include quaternary ammo-
value, it was rejected. The third part used a reliable mea- nium compounds, idophors, hypochorites, hydrogen per-
surement method that established a hazard value for oxide, and phenolic compounds. These compounds are
chemicals developed at Purdue University, entitled the discussed in greater detail in Chapter 13.
Indiana Relative Chemical Hazard Score (IRCHS). A It should be noted here that a few hotel housekeepers
chemical product that exceeds an IRCHS threshold might fail to see the relevance of disinfectants to hotel
value is rejected as a green cleaning product. housekeeping. This attitude is based on a common mis-
Many detergents have a neutral pH, which means that conception that only hospitals need to worry about the
they are neither an acid nor an alkaline compound. The control of pathenogenic microorganisms. Unfortunately,
degree of alkalinity or acidity is indicated on the pH hotels and restaurants provide a superb environment for
scale. The scale runs from 0 to 14. Zero through 6 on the the breeding and transmission of disease. For example,
scale indicates acidity. Position 8 through 14 on the scale according to the Centers for Disease Control, 77 percent
Housekeeping Chemicals 113

of all cases of foodborne illness originate in commercial and sanitizers that are quaternary-based are negatively
food service establishments. It is also estimated that he- affected by water hardness. Look on the product label
patitis A is transmitted to thousands of restaurant cus- for claims of effectiveness in hard water.
tomers annually from infected workers. 3 Who can forget A second concern is the particular type of soil that is
that the dreaded Legionnaires’ disease originated in the to be removed from the environment. Grease and oils
air-conditioning system of a hotel? Now we have SARS may call for solvent cleaners that normally have a petro-
(severe acute respiratory syndrome). There are indica- leum base, whereas scale and lime deposits on bathroom
tions that not only can this dread disease be transmitted fixtures may require an acid-based cleaner. In the next
through direct contact, but that the virus can survive for section of this chapter, we shall explore the merits of us-
24 hours on a surface and perhaps even longer if it is ing all-purpose cleaners.
contained in fecal matter. A third consideration is the initial cost of the product.
Bathroom fixtures in particular need to be disin- Since different chemicals are diluted to different con-
fected, starting with toilets and urinals; but other areas centrations, always base your calculations on the cost per
that need special attention include door handles, soap usable gallon of solution.
and towel dispensers, faucets, flooring around urinals A fourth factor is the cost of labor and equipment.
and toilets, partitions around toilets and urinals, levers to Some chemicals are much more “labor intensive” than
flush toilets, telephones, water fountains, and floor others; that is, they require a greater degree of physical
drains. Places where people have vomited, or where force in their application in order to be effective. That
there are any human fluids to be found, should also be force requirement can translate into expensive equip-
disinfected. Proper training and protective gear for the ment and more man-hours to effectively do the job.
housekeeping staff must be available. According to Beth A fifth factor is the relative availability of the prod-
Risinger, C.E.O. of the International Executive House- uct. Is the distributor always ready, willing, and able to
keepers Association, handwashing by cleaners is critical provide the product? Or have there been numerous in-
every time they change environments or move from stances of stock-outs? If the chemical is not always
guestroom to guestroom. available when you need it, you should seriously think of
In many areas of a hotel, the intention is not to main- changing brands or distributors.
tain totally disinfected surfaces, as is required in a hospi- Sixth, does the distributor give good service? Is the
tal environment, but merely to maintain sanitized sur- vendor willing to demonstrate the proper use of the
faces. A sanitizer is a chemical that kills microorganisms product? Is the vendor willing to conduct comparison
to an accepted, or what is generally regarded as a safe, tests of chemicals at your site? Is the company also will-
level. Sanitizers are not intended to provide a bacterio- ing to help train your staff in the proper use of the prod-
static surface. Sanitizers may be specially formulated uct? Also, if the product fails to meet expectations, will
chemicals, or they may be disinfectants that have been the distributor take back the unused product and issue a
diluted to serve as sanitizers. Sanitizers are used on such credit memo? Good service certainly adds value to the
surfaces as carpets, walls, and floors, and may also be product. Sometimes this value more than compensates
used in conjunction with room deodorizers to sanitize for an extra penny or two in cost per usable gallon. Fi-
the air. At the very least, the lodging industry needs to nally, is the chemical the most environmentally sound
establish clearly defined standards for cleanliness in all chemical that can be obtained? Is there third-party cer-
areas of an operation. Until such standards are estab- tification to support that claim? Does that green chemi-
lished, operators should develop their own high stan- cal meet your needs without becoming “overkill?” As
dards and follow them. Jimmy Palmer, Executive Housekeeper at the Four
Potentially dangerous chemical reactions can take Seasons-Las Vegas, remarked, “At the Four Seasons, we
place in the housekeeper’s mop bucket as well as in the do not need a hydrochloric acid bowl cleaner to remove
chemist’s laboratory. One of the most dangerous occurs lime and soil buildup, because we clean our toilets every
when an ammoniated product is mixed with a hypo- day.”
chlorite (such as bleach) or when a bleach is mixed with All of these variables must be carefully weighed when
an acid-based cleaner. In both cases, potentially deadly purchasing chemical supplies.
chlorine gases are released.
All-Purpose Cleaners
Selection Considerations One innovation in housekeeping chemical use has been
A number of variables must be considered to ensure the increasing use of all-purpose cleaners. Most all-
that the most appropriate chemical product is chosen. purpose cleaners are pH-neutral, so they are safe for
One crucial factor is the relative hardness of the water at most surfaces that can be cleaned with a water-based
the site. Water hardness refers to the amount of calcium product. All-purpose cleaners normally do not need to
and magnesium found in the water. Most disinfectants be rinsed, they do not leave a haze, and they do not
114 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

Change Agent

Roger McFadden
VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNICAL SERVICES
COASTWIDE LABORATORIES

Roger McFadden is Vice President of Technical

Services and Product Development for Coastwide
Laboratories, a position he has held since 1988.
McFadden is one of five individuals in the United
States appointed by Underwriters Laboratories
(UL) to serve on the Industry Advisory Council on
Slip Resistance Standards and has recently been
appointed to a Standards Technical Panel by UL
and the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI). He is a member of the ASTM D-21 Floor
Polish Standards Committee and a member of the
Hard Surface Inspection Task Force for the Insti-
tute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certi-
fication (IICRC). McFadden is on the faculty of
the Cleaning Management Institute (CMI), the
chairman of Oregon governor Kitzhaber’s Com-
munity Sustainability Council Workgroup for
Cleaning and Coatings, and a charter member of
the Unified Green Cleaning Alliance.
Holding a master’s degree in chemistry,
McFadden is a frequent speaker for health care or-
ganizations, educational institutions, public agen-
cies, and private corporations. He speaks on a vari-
ety of environmental, safety, and health topics. He
has been published in several trade publications,
including Cleaning and Maintenance Management.
He also led development of the Sustainable
Earth evaluation standard and the Sustainable
Earth product line at Coastwide Laboratories.
Figure 6-2 H2Orange2 117 Concentrate is a unique all-
“Though Sustainable Earth products met all the purpose chemical that is a highly effective sanitizer-
criteria of the leading national environmental stan- virucide and cleaner. It can be used in kitchens and
dards, our customers were asking us to raise the bathrooms and has a multitude of other applications. In
bar,” McFadden said. “We basically had to create a different dilutions, it performs various tasks, from
more comprehensive standard than any that has window cleaning to mopping floors. The concentrate has
existed to date.” David DiFiore, project manager three proprietary dispensing options (lower left to right):
for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Bucket Buddy, Spray Buddy, Blend Buddy. It is also Green
Design for the Environment program, says McFad- Seal certified. (Photo courtesy of EnvirOx, L.L.C. Danville, Illinois.)
den has been “a major change leader.” DiFiore
says Coastwide Laboratories worked with the
Zero Waste Alliance of Portland to form the Uni- streak. The relative cleaning effectiveness of an all-
fied Green Cleaning Alliance, a group of Pacific purpose cleaner is normally determined by its dilution
Northwest businesses working to raise standards strength, which can be set for different jobs. An example
for sustainable cleaning products. “The work he’s of an all-purpose cleaner can be seen in Figure 6.2.
done outlining all the ingredients used in formula- Using an all-purpose cleaner, is an effective way to re-
tions, and trying to understand the environmental duce product inventory, and reducing inventory usually
and health implications of those ingredients, that’s means bringing more dollars to the bottom line. Using
just outstanding,” says DiFiore. an all-purpose cleaner can also translate to quantity buy-
ing, which can mean greater savings.
Housekeeping Chemicals 115

However, there are disadvantages to all-purpose Deodorizers

cleaners. Perhaps the greatest disadvantage is that an all- Deodorizers, if properly used, can improve a facility’s
purpose cleaner is inadequate for certain cleaning tasks. public image and improve employee morale. Some de-
One example would be in the cleaning of bathroom odorizers counteract stale odors, leaving a clean, air-
equipment where a disinfectant is needed. Most all- freshened effect through the principle of odor-pair neu-
purpose cleaners do not contain disinfectants. Another tralization. These deodorizers leave no trace of perfume
concern is whether employees are properly diluting the cover-up. This approach is preferred in restrooms,
all-purpose cleaner for the specific task at hand. Far too guestrooms, and public areas. Most guests react nega-
often, employees will assume the attitude that “more is tively to cheap cover-up deodorant perfumes in hotel
better” and will fail to properly dilute the detergent. This lobbys or guestrooms.
action inevitably drives up costs. However, where there are particularly strong odors,
such as at a garbage dumpster or a pet kennel, a de-
Single-Purpose Cleaners odorant formula that contains fragrances may be appro-
priate. Methods of deodorant application include
There are numerous instances in which an all-purpose
aerosol sprays, “stick-up” applicators, timed-release sys-
cleaner is inadequate. In this section, we will examine
tems, liquids, powders, and hand pump sprays (see Fig-
the relative merits of a variety of single-purpose
ure 6.4).
cleaners.

Abrasive Cleaners Drain Cleaners

Abrasive cleaners normally contain a detergent com- Drain cleaners contain harmful acids and lyes and
bined with a bleach and an abrasive (usually silica, a should not be applied by the regular housekeeping staff.
quartz dust that can scratch glass). The abrasiveness of They should be used only by management or by staff
the cleaner is determined by the percentage of abrasive who have been specially trained in their application.
in the cleanser. Abrasive cleansers can be found in either Drain cleaners are hazardous and can corrode pipes;
powder or paste form. The paste is preferred because it consequently, many properties have banned their use in
will cling to vertical surfaces. Under no circumstances favor of pressurized gases or drain-cleaning augers.
should abrasive cleaners be used on fiberglass tub and There is even a plastic throwaway drain auger that ef-
shower enclosures; furthermore, abrasives are not rec- fectively cleans out sink drains clogged with hair.
ommended for porcelain fixtures.
Furniture Cleaners and Polishes
Degreasers Furniture cleaners and polishes are normally wax- or oil-
Degreasers or emulsifiers are usually found in most based products that contain antistatic compounds. The
commercial kitchens. They are concentrated detergents best polishes contain lemon oil, which serves to replen-
that are formulated to remove heavy grease buildup. ish the moisture that is lost from the wood.
Figure 6.3 shows the soy-based product Soy Green
1000™, from Soy Technologies, Inc., which can remove Hand Soaps and Detergents
heavy kitchen grease but is nonflammable, nontoxic, and Handwashing is an important component of personal
noncarcinogenic. Petroleum solvents have degreasing hygiene for all employees. One of the biggest preventa-
properties, but because of their flammability and toxicity tives of nosocomial infection in hospitals is the practice
they are rarely used on kitchen surfaces. of handwashing.4 Unfortunately, many employees do

Figure 6-3 Pictured in the

middle is Soy Technologies,
Inc.’s Soy Green (SG) 1000, a
nonflammable degreaser.
(Photo courtesy of Soy
Technologies, Inc. Delray Beach,
Florida.)
116 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

help to reduce the growth of pathenogenic organisms on

the fabric. Smart laundry managers are studying the ad-
dition of ozone to the laundry process. It increases the
effectiveness of chemicals, shortens wash time, and al-
lows for a lowering of water temperatures (saving en-
ergy and money). An article from the April 2003 edition
of Executive Housekeeping Today on ozone in the laun-
dry appears in Appendix E.

Metal Cleaners and Polishes

Metal cleaners and polishes are usually paste-type clean-
ers that contain mild acidic solutions. Some contain pro-
tective coatings that inhibit tarnishing.

Solvent Cleaners
Solvent cleaners are used to clean surfaces that are
badly soiled by grease, tar, or oil. Solvents are made from
pine oils, kerosene, alcohols, and now, soy. Soy Green
5000, pictured in Figure 6.3, is such a strong biosolvent
that it can safely remove graffiti, paint, and varnish (see
Figure 6.5). Some types of solvents will not adversely af-
fect paint, acrylics, and metals. Carbon tetrachloride and
Figure 6-4 Coastwide Laboratories’ Sustainable Earth other halogenated hydrocarbons are extremely toxic
Odor Eliminator safely neutralizes odors and is designed and carcinogenic and should be avoided at all costs.
for a pump spray container. It eliminates water- and oil- Some petroeum naptha solvents have a high flash point.
based odors. (Photo courtesy of Coastwide Laboratories,
The higher the flash point, the less chance a cleaner will
Wilsonville, Oregon.)
ignite. The best choice for a solvent is one that will do the
job and is preferably a biosolvent, versus a petroleum
not wash their hands often enough because they believe solvent, which is a volatile organic compound (VOC)
that repeated handwashing will cause skin dryness and that will diminish indoor air quality (IAQ).
cracking. Since the housekeeping department is often in
charge of purchasing hand soaps, the housekeeper Bathroom Cleaners
should stock only disinfectant lotion soaps that prevent To clean away lime encrustations on washroom fixtures,
dryness and cracking. An excellent waterless hand remove rust stains, and remove organic soils, the chemi-
cleaner and conditioner is Soy Derm,™ pictured in Fig- cal industry has produced cleaners that meet these
ure 6.3. It contains natural oils, vitamin E, aloe, and tea unique needs. The emulsion toilet bowl cleaner normally
tree oil. It cuts through the worse grease, oils, inks, paints, contains acid, which is necessary to remove rust and cor-
and tars. It leaves hands softer than they were before rosion, and detergents that remove fecal material, urine,
application. and bacterial colonies. Hydrochloric acid has been the
acid of choice in these cleaners, but has been replaced by
Laundry Chemicals the milder phosphoric acid and oxalic acid. All are cor-
Laundry chemicals include synthetic detergents, concen- rosive and should not come into contact with metal fix-
trated bleaches, antichlors, sours, and fabric softeners. tures, especially chrome—let alone people. They should
The detergents are often nonionic detergents that con- also not be used on walls or floors. Now we have alter-
tain fabric brighteners and antiredeposition agents. The natives, such as Coastwide Laboratories’ Sustainable
active ingredient in most laundry bleaches is sodium Earth Toilet & Urinal Cleaner that effectively removes
hypochlorite. Antichlors are added to remove excess soils and mineral deposits without acids (see Figure 6.6).
chlorine from the fabric. Sours are added to lower the
pH and may also contain bluing and whiteners. Suitable Jetted Hot Tub Cleaners
sours include ammonium silicofluoride, sodium silicoflu- There are now an estimated 2 million jetted hot tubs in
oride, zinc silicofluoride, and acetic acid. Excessive use lodging properties and hospitals. Cleaning of the tub has
of sours may result in a sour odor remaining on the been, until now, similar to the cleaning of an ordinary
clothes. Softeners are usually cationic products that con- bathtub. However, many guests have noticed that once
tain antistatic and bacteriostatic agents. Their purpose is the jets were turned on, black specs appeared in the wa-
to leave the laundered product fresh, soft, and with no ter. These specs have, in many cases, turned out to be al-
static cling. When bacteriostatic agents are present, they gae. Up to a pint of bath water remains in the pipes and
Housekeeping Chemicals 117

Figure 6-5 The Kauri

Butanol scale measures the
power of solvents. SG 5000 is
far more powerful than
traditional solvents that are
toxic and often carcinogenic.
(Photo courtesy of Soy
Technologies, Inc., Delray Beach,
Florida.)

pump housing when the tub is drained. Combined with

lime deposits and scale in a light-free environment, this
water provides an excellent medium for the growth of
algae, bacteria, and viruses. A biofilm eventually forms
inside the pipes, making it extremely difficult to kill
these pathogens. Organisms such as pseudomonas,
E. coli, and Legionella have been found growing in
these tubs. The housekeeping staff, and certainly the
next guests to use these tubs, risk infection. Plainly
stated, the guest who soaks in one of these tubs is soak-
ing in some of the same water that was used by the pre-
vious guests who used the tub. Fortunately, some com-
panies are now making chemicals designed for these
tubs that will destroy the algae and pathogens that may
be found in them (see Figure 6.7).

Carpet Cleaners
Carpet-cleaning chemicals, whether they are sprays,
foams, dry powders, or shampoos, contain essentially the
same types of chemicals in slightly different forms.
Figure 6-6 This cleaner is formulated without Common chemicals include neutral water-soluble sol-
fragrances and has surfactants made from rapidly vents, emulsifiers, defoamers, optical brighteners, and
renewable resources. (Photo courtesy of Coastwide Laboratories, deodorizers. Many also contain sanitizers; however,
Wilsonville, Oregon.) some of these may have an adverse effect on fourth- and
118 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

Figure 6-7 Purge Tech™ has

four products used to clean
whirlpool tubs (clockwise from
upper left), Oxyflush,™ a cleaner
and deodorizer for a whirlpool
plumbing system; Aqua
Polorizer,™ a hydromagnetic
suspension system for minerals in
the water; ThoroPurge,™ a
disinfectant for the whirlpool
plumbing system; and the
ThoroPurge Machine,™ which
flushes the ThoroPurge chemical
through the whirlpool’s piping
system and down the drain.
These four components constitute
the Jet Tub System.™ (Courtesy of
Purge-Tech, Inc.)

fifth-generation nylon carpets. Soil and stain repellents finishes, but they do not have the harsh odor associated
may also be included in the cleaners. When selecting a with the ammoniated products (see Figure 6.3). A neu-
particular brand, do a comparison test between your tralizing rinse is often applied after the stripper. These
current brand and the proposed alternatives. If the rinses neutralize alkaline residues left from the stripping
greener product works as well, consider using it (see Fig- solution that may affect the performance of the new
ure 6.8). finish.

Floor Cleaners
Floor Care Products
Floor cleaners are mild detergents that work in cool wa-
The chemical formulation of a floor care product is de- ter to remove soils without affecting the existing floor
pendent on the product’s function. finish. Many floor finishes are thermoplastic; hot water
tends to soften the finish. Most floor cleaners also have
Strippers a neutral pH and many require no additional rinsing.
Strippers are used to remove the worn finish from floors.
They may have an ammoniated base or may be nonam- Sealers and Finishes
moniated products. Nonammoniated strippers may not Sealers and finishes are applied to most floor surfaces to
be as effective in removing metal cross-linked polymer protect the flooring material from wear, cleaners, and
Housekeeping Chemicals 119

Green Tips

We pour millions of tons of cleaning products

down our drains every month in this country. These
products often contain toxic chemicals that find
their way into our lakes and streams and can end
up in our food and water. Don’t believe they can
get back to you? Just ask the residents of Las Ve-
gas. A Kerr McGee plant poured perchlorate (a jet
fuel additive) into the ground near its plant in
Henderson, Nevada. That chemical worked its way
into Lake Mead and the Colorado River. Not only
are the citizens of Las Vegas drinking some of it in
their water, but it is also coming back to their ta-
bles in the form of contaminated lettuce from Cal-
ifornia’s Imperial Valley, which uses water from the
Colorado to grow its crops.
So, take action—do your research and build en-
vironmentalism into your chemical purchasing
specifications.
Figure 6-8 Coastwide’s Sustainable Earth Carpet Remember, there is no “upstream” on this
Cleaner is biodegradable, contains no phosphates, and is planet; we are all “downstream.”
safe on all generations of carpet. (Photo courtesy of
Coastwide Laboratories, Wilsonville, Oregon.)

guestrooms, and offices scrupulously clean, and you will

liquid spills. The chemical composition of the sealer or not have a roach problem.
finish will vary according to the type of flooring material
for which it is intended. The preferred product for most
Handling and Storage of Chemicals
resilient floors and some stone floor applications has
been the metal cross-linked floor finishes (particularly Manufacturer guidelines should be strictly adhered to
zinc cross-linked polymers) because of their ability to when storing and handling chemicals. All chemicals
give floors the popular “wet look.” Recently, the use of should be routinely kept under lock and key. A system of
these heavy metal finishes has fallen into disfavor be- inventory control should be established and followed.
cause of environmental concerns. A number of states Chemicals are expensive, and employees should be held
have prohibited their sale because of the perceived dan- accountable for their misuse. If bulk chemicals are used,
ger resulting from emptying these heavy metals into the employees should be taught how to properly dilute
sewer when the finishes are stripped from the floors. them.
Many of the same concerns are being voiced about
wood sealers and finishes that have solvent bases. A
Chemical Packaging
water-based finish for wood is now available that is con-
sidered by many experts to be environmentally safe. Bulk Chemicals
Bulk chemicals offer the housekeeping department the
greatest potential for savings, but the executive house-
Pesticides keeper should beware of overbuying chemicals. One
Pesticide applications should be left to the expert. problem is that large quantities of chemicals cannot al-
Housekeeping departments are advised to seek the ser- ways be stored properly. The cost of storing large quan-
vices of a reliable pest control company rather than at- tities of chemicals may offset any potential cost savings
tempting to control pests themselves. If there is a per- from bulk purchases. Chemicals may deteriorate while in
ceived need to keep pesticides in inventory, it is strongly storage. The expiration dates that appear on some chem-
suggested that only natural pyrethrins be used, if at all ical supplies should be noted. The executive house-
possible, or that you employ an integrated pest manage- keeper should also compare the cost savings of bulk
ment system that encompasses predator insects. For buying with the potential interest that would be gener-
roaches, the single best way to control them in a building ated if a minimal amount of chemical were purchased,
is to starve them to death. Keep kitchens, storerooms, and the cost difference between the minimal amount
120 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

and the bulk amount invested. If the savings from buy- degree of cost control, better inventory procedures, and
ing in bulk would be greater than the amount of interest better quality in cleaning. In addition, housekeeping
that would be generated, then the bulk purchase is a managers and hospital administrators desiring docu-
wise investment. But if the interest generated would be mentation on cleaning costs are more likely to accept
greater than the cost savings from buying in bulk, then cost documentation when premeasured chemicals and
the wise choice is to buy the lesser amount and invest the detergents are used, since exact quantities may be
difference. determined.
Another problem with bulk chemicals occurs when
employees do not dilute the chemical to its appropriate Aerosols
level. If the dilution process is not rigorously monitored, Aerosol chemicals have received considerable negative
the tendency of most employees is to use too much press in recent years from a variety of sources. House-
chemical, which drives up cost. An alternative to this keeping managers often react negatively because of the
costly practice is the use of the new in-house chemical higher net product cost associated with aerosols. Pack-
mixing stations, as pictured in Figure 6.9. These systems aging and propellants drive up the cost of the product.
automatically mix bulk chemicals, thus eliminating Environmentalists have reacted negatively to the use
guesswork and improper dilution levels. of aerosols for years. In the 1970s, the issue was the wide-
spread use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were
Premeasured Chemicals linked to ozone depletion and global warming. Although
Many chemical and detergent manufacturers produce CFCs are not used anymore, substitutes have been ac-
premeasured (packaged) products in filament contain- cused of contributing to acid rain and smog formation;
ers that dissolve when placed in a prescribed amount of and in one case, the propellant (methylene chloride) was
water, yielding the proper amount of chemical in solu- suspected of being a carcinogen.6 Aerosols also break
tion.5 Although these products are higher in unit price, the chemical into an extremely fine mist, making it much
the use of such premeasured products provides a high more respirable. Aerosols are a major contributor to

Figure 6-9 A close-up of a

chemical mixing station in a
satellite linen and storage
room. (Courtesy of Bellagio MGM
Mirage, Las Vegas, Nevada.)
Housekeeping Chemicals 121

Figure 6-10 Coastwide

Laboratories’ Sustainable
Earth products are
formulated to be compatible.
(Photo courtesy of Coastwide
Laboratories Wilsonville, Oregon.)

poor indoor air quality (IAQ). It is wise to eliminate storage, information on flammability, ingredients, health
them from your inventory. hazards, first-aid procedures, and what to do in case of a
fire or explosion. This information must be disseminated
Compatibility in Chemical Product Design to employees and should be made available to them at
One reason why housekeeping managers consider the all times.
purchase of only one brand of housekeeping chemical The hotel must also formulate a HazComm program
products is chemical compatibility (see Figure 6.10). for the property and establish a training program for all
Chemical manufacturers often formulate their chemicals employees who use or come in contact with hazardous
to perform better with other chemicals in their product chemicals. Finally, the property must provide all neces-
line than with the chemical products made by competitors. sary protective equipment to its employees.7
One example of this is a floor stripper that works best in
removing a floor finish made by the same manufacturer.
A Final Word on Green Chemicals
When selecting any new chemical, a housekeeper
should ask to have the vendor demonstrate the product As the demand for green chemicals is growing meteori-
at the site where it will be used so that comparisons be- cally, led by demands of the federal and state govern-
tween brands can be drawn. ments, closely followed by the health care profession,
more and more chemical manufacturers are getting on
the bandwagon. When choosing a green company, try to
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard choose one that “walks the walk” as well as “talks the
Since 1988, hotels have been required to comply with the talk.” See Figure 6.11, a statement of EnvirOx’s “Corpo-
Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s rate Environmental Commitment,” for an example of a
(OSHA) Hazard Communication (HazComm) Stan- program that should be emulated throughout the entire
dard, which applies to the handling and storage of haz- cleaning chemical industry.
ardous chemical materials. Hazardous chemicals in- Another example is Coastwide Laboratories’ recent
clude, but are not limited to, aerosols, detergents, floor award from the city of Portland, Oregon, for its Sustain-
chemicals, carpet chemicals, flammable chemicals, clean- able Earth commercial cleaning product line. The award
ers, polishes, laundry chemicals, bathroom cleaners, and entitled, “BEST (Businesses for an Environmentally
pesticides. Sustainable Tomorrow) Business Award for Environ-
To be in full compliance, management must read the mental Product Development” was presented to Roger
HazComm Standard. OSHA maintains a website, McFadden, Vice President of Technical Services for
http://www.osha.gov, that provides extensive informa- Coastwide Laboratories. David DiFore, project manager
tion on what an employer should know to be in compli- for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Design
ance with the law. Visit this website and, using the search for the Environment program, called McFadden, “a ma-
tools, you can find yourself at the guidelines for employ- jor change leader” in a press release.
ers on how to set up a hazard communications program. Other companies of note include Oxy Company Ltd.,
The hotel must also inventory and list all hazardous Worx Environmental Products, Ipax Cleanogel Inc.,
chemicals on the property. The company must then get Rochester Midland Corporation, Hillyard Industries,
material safety data sheets (MSDSs) from the chemical and 3M, as well as the previously mentioned EnvirOx.
manufacturers. These MSDSs should explain the chemi- All of these firms have cleaning products certified by
cals’ characteristics, recommended handling use and Green Seal.
122 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

Figure 6-11 Nothing goes

down the sewer from the
production processes at
EnvirOx. (Document courtesy of
EnvirOx, L.L.C. Danville, Illinois)

Cleaning Supplies and Equipment Brooms and Brushes

Common varieties of brooms include push brooms, corn
Chemicals are only part of the housekeeping depart- brooms, and whisk brooms. The role of a broom is to re-
ment’s arsenal of weapons in its war against dirt. The move large particles of soil from hard and resilient
professional housekeeper must develop standards for floors. Good push brooms will have two rows of bristles.
the equipment and supplies used by the property and The front row will have heavy-duty bristles designed to
must incorporate those standards into written remove stubborn, large particles of dirt and debris. The
purchase specifications. The following section is in- second row will have fine, split-tip bristles designed to
tended to aid the housekeeper in formulating those remove fine particles of dirt and debris. Many good push
specifications. brooms have a steel brush hood that allows the operator
to change worn brushes. One company even has a built-
in shock absorber between the brush hood and the han-
Cleaning Supplies dle to prevent broken wooden handles.
Nonchemical cleaning supplies include brushes, brooms, The better scrub brushes have U-joints so that they
buckets, mops, pads, rags, and wringers. Although these can be used at any angle. This is particularly helpful
supplies look fairly simple and straightforward, there are when cleaning baseboards. Some models have rubber
a number of features to look for when selecting them. blades for drying surfaces.
Cleaning Supplies and Equipment 123

Mop Buckets
Buckets are made of three basic materials: galvanized
steel, stainless steel, and structural foamed plastic. Plas-
tic buckets do not rust and are the most inexpensive to
make, but they scratch, and dirt builds up in the
scratches, making them permanently “grungy.” Stainless
steel buckets are typically the most expensive. The
“Cadillac” of mop buckets has to be the KaiMotion
SUV.™ This ergonomic microfiber mopping system can
be used to apply floor finishes, strippers, and degreasers,
to damp mop floors, and to clean walls (see Figure 6.12).
Another innovative system incorporates the bucket
into the mop handle. The Bucketless Mop™ from New-
port Marketing Group, Inc. (see Figure 6.13) is a win-win
for guestroom attendants (GRAs). This system can eas-
ily attach to a housekeeper’s cart. No longer would
housekeepers have to clean the bathroom floor on their
hands and knees with rags, thus avoiding stress injuries
and saving time and money. The microfiber mop heads
can be quickly changed out to avoid cross contamination
of hospital rooms. A quick sweep with a corn broom, be-

Figure 6-13 The Bucketless Mop with its flat microfiber

mop head is a labor-saving device that eliminates the
chore of hauling a bucket upstairs. It can also serve as a
dust mop or a floor finish applicator with only a quick
change of pads.

fore mopping, to gather up hair and large particles of soil

is still recommended.

Wringers
Mop wringers squeeze in one of two directions—side-
ways or downward. Downward wringers are better, but
more expensive. Wringers are made of either steel or
plastic. Plastic is less expensive, but it wears out much
faster than the metal wringers. Wringers can be pur-
chased by size or in a “one-size-fits-all” size.8

Wet Mops
The flat microfiber mop head is destined to make all
other wet mop heads obsolete. The fibers have a diame-
ter of .01–.02 denier, which is much thinner than a
human hair (see Figure 6.14). The fabric is a blend of
polyester (70–80 percent) and polymide (20–30 per-
cent), which is a by-product of nylon. Appendix I con-
tains an article originally published in the February 2003
issue of Executive Housekeeping Today, describing a
study of microfiber flat-mop systems at the University of
California Davis Medical Center.
Figure 6-12 This bucket has an easy-lift handle that Wash wet mops after each use and do not apply
lightens the 10-gallon load by 2/3; with its flat mop bleach to the mop; bleach will speed the disintegration
system, you no longer have to empty dirty mop water. of the fibers. Wet mops can be purchased in a variety of
124 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

Figure 6-14 Microfiber mop heads can be designed for wet mopping (photo on left) or for dusting (photo on right).
(Photos courtesy of Newport Marketing Group, Inc., Costa Mesa, California.)

colors for color-coding purposes. Microfiber mops can

be easily changed out in a hospital setting to avoid cross
contamination. Cross contamination is the transporta-
tion of germs from one area to another through such ac-
tivities as mopping floors.

Mop Handles
Mop handles can be made from wood, metal, and plastic
and come with a variety of features. Quick-change
clamps are one welcome option. Handles are available in
54-inch, 60-inch, and 63-inch lengths.9 Another is the
telescoping mop handle, which can also be used to dust
walls and ceilings.

Dust Mops and Dust Cloths

The traditional dust mop, feather duster, and lamb’s
wool duster are all destined for extinction. They will all
be replaced by microfiber technology. Microfiber does
not push the dust around; it picks it up and holds it until Figure 6-15 Microfiber will increase worker
it is released by washing in soap and hot water. Figure productivity and reduce chemical costs. Note how the
6.15 is a cross-section photograph of a single microfiber microscopic thread is split to enhance pickup. (Photo
thread, and Figure 6.16 is an illustration of how mi- courtesy of Newport Marketing Group, Inc., Costa Mesa, California.)
Cleaning Supplies and Equipment 125

Figure 6-16 The split

microfiber is far more effective
than ordinary cotton at picking
up soil. (Photo courtesy of Newport
Marketing Group, Inc., Costa Mesa,
California.)

crofiber cloths absorb soil. Microfiber not only picks up Dust mops are meant to be used daily to remove dust
dust, it will also pick up 97 to more than 99 percent of all and small particles of soil from the floor. Daily dusting
bacteria on a surface. Appendix I contains an excellent helps to protect the floor’s finish by removing small
introductory article on microfiber and a companion abrasive particles that erode the finish. Dust mops range
piece that describes the maintenance of microfiber in size from 12-inch to 60-inch widths.
cloths. Both appeared in the February 2003 issue of Ex-
ecutive Housekeeping Today. Microfiber cloths are de- Squeegees
signed to perform specific tasks such as window and mir- There are two types of squeegees: floor and window.
ror cleaning, dusting, and the cleaning of bathroom Floor squeegees have a much heavier rubber than the
fixtures. They also come in different colors so that window variety. Window squeegees come with a number
guestroom attendants can be trained to avoid cross con- of attractive features, from telescoping handles that en-
tamination (see Figure 6.17). able a worker to clean a third-story exterior window
without the aid of scaffolding or a ladder, to U-joints
that allow a worker to squeegee a window at an angle.

Pads, Bonnets, and Brushes

Floor machines and burnishers use floor pads, bonnets,
and brushes. Pads are made from either natural or syn-
thetic fibers. Floor pads have a universal color code so
that users can tell at a glance if they are using the right
pad for a particular application (see Chapter 5). Bonnets
are made of yarn and are intended to be used on a floor
machine to spray clean carpets. Floor machine brushes
are used to shampoo carpets. The fibers are synthetic.

Ultraviolet Lamps
Ultraviolet lamps or black lights constitute just one
more small, but important, weapon in the executive
housekeeper’s war against dirt. In a dark room, an ultra-
violet light will cause certain materials to fluoresce, that

Green Tip

Here is a chemical to avoid if at all possible: ethy-

lene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE). It is often
used in water-based cleaners, degreasers, wax, and
finish strippers. In tests it has had negative effects
Figure 6-17 Not only do microfiber cloths come in on the central nervous system, kidneys, blood,
different colors, but they also can be made into dusting hematopoietic tissues, and the liver, and it may
gloves. (Photos courtesy of Newport Marketing Group, Inc., Costa cause lasting effects after just one exposure.
Mesa, California.)
126 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

is, to glow in the dark. Among the substances that have supplies that the GRA might readily be expected to use
been found to glow are flavins; the riboflavin vitamin B in the workday. (Repeated trips to the main or satellite
is the most well known. Other examples include soap linen room for two extra sheets or three more glasses is
scum and urine. Bacteria often accumulate where there distracting and will decrease work efficiency.) Since the
are high concentrations of flavins. Hence, glowing spots cart is large and may be heavily loaded, it must be ma-
in the guestroom and bathroom are considered to be un- neuverable and capable of being pushed by someone
clean areas. weighing less than 100 pounds. Surprisingly, such carts
Housekeepers should not use these lights to play do exist. Quality housekeepers’ carts are maneuverable,
“gotcha” with the staff, but as an aid to correcting prob- with fixed wheels at one end and castered wheels at the
lem areas. Staff can be trained to use these black lights opposite end. The solution lies in quality caster and ball-
to see where they should concentrate their efforts. bearing wheels.
Many sophisticated travelers also carry these lights to Carts should have three deep shelves, facilities to han-
inspect their rooms for soil and bacteria. They are often dle soiled linen sacks and rubbish sacks that are detach-
for sale in the consumer catalogs found in the pockets of able, storage for a maid’s vacuum, and a top that is par-
airline seats. titioned for small items. Figure 6.18 shows a three-shelf
housekeeper’s cart that, when fully loaded, will service
Cleaning Equipment 20 guestrooms (30 beds). Notice the neoprene bumper
guard that surrounds the cart and protects corridor walls
When purchasing housekeeping equipment, it should be and door casings. These bumper guards should not leave
remembered that there are many products that will unsightly marks if they come in contact with walls. The
seem to fulfill a requirement but will fall short of lasting cart in Figure 6.18 weighs over 500 pounds when fully
needs. The challenge is to find the right piece of equip- loaded. Figure 6.19 shows a cart-top basket used with a
ment, one that is of a quality that will withstand contin- housekeeper’s cart and various small, high-cost guest
uous use with limited maintenance, and that will be the supply items needed during the workday at a hotel.
most cost-effective in the use of resources. The partitioning of the top of the cart is best accom-
The decision as to what equipment best meets the plished on a local basis when the specific items to be car-
needs of the department is usually made as job descrip- ried are available for sizing. The hotel carpenter should
tions are being written. Quality, however, becomes an- be able to make the appropriate partitions.
other issue. Some managements stress price of purchase At the Bellagio, the housekeepers’ carts are deco-
rather than quality of product and do not consider the rated with the same design used in the wall coverings.
overall value of more substantial equipment. Other One of the hallmarks of a world-class property is the ob-
managements will demand a high quality of equipment sessive attention to detail (see Figure 6.20).
for employees and will then expect the highest standards Small service carriers are also available to support the
of cleanliness. The executive housekeeper should pre- work of lobby and public area housekeepers.
sume that management desires the highest level of
cleanliness possible and expect that workers be supplied Housekeeper’s Vacuum
with the wherewithal to accomplish the task. There are many ways to provide vacuums for cleaning
Many product suppliers also act as equipment repre- guestrooms. Some hotels have tank-type vacuums for
sentatives. When new hotels open, suppliers will seek ap- guestroom attendants. Others have tank-type vacuums
pointments to present their products and equipment installed on the housekeeper’s carts, with 24-foot vac-
lines. A manufacturer’s representative who can be de- uum hoses that will reach from the hotel corridor
pended on is an asset worth considering when purchas- through the entire room. The main concern about tank
ing equipment. vacuums being permanently installed on the housekeep-
The executive housekeeper should have the final say ers’ carts, however, is the noise that permeates the hall-
regarding the type, quantity, and quality of equipment way when one or more vacuums are in use. The vacuum
required for cleaning the guestrooms and public areas of most readily seen in hotel operations remains the up-
the rooms department. Equipment purchases will be right vacuum with bag and belt-driven beater brush. Fig-
substantial and will therefore require the utmost care ure 6.21 is a photograph of such a vacuum cleaner.
and consideration in selection. An analysis of the various An improved variation of the single-motor upright
items of equipment listed in Table 4.1 is appropriate for vacuum pictured in Figure 6.21 is the dual-motor vac-
a hotel the size of our hypothetical model. General in- uum shown in Figure 6.22. One motor drives the beater
formation about this equipment follows. brush, and a second motor provides the suction. These
dual-motor varieties often have a convenient built-in
Housekeeper’s Cart hose for cleaning corners and upholstery.
The housekeeper’s cart is a most significant piece of Recent studies have called into question the need for
equipment. There should be one cart for each section of beater brushes or beater bars and upright vacuum
rooms. This cart must be large enough to carry all of the cleaners. A very interesting study by Robert Woellner,
Cleaning Supplies and Equipment 127

Figure 6-18 GRA’s cart loaded with

enough linen to service 20 guestrooms.
Note the three deep shelves and trash
and soiled linen containers. Carts
should be of high quality with good
casters and neoprene bumpers. (Photo
used with permission of Forbes Industries.)

Senior Scientist for Quality Environmental Services complished if a vacuum with high airflow and tremen-
and Technologies, Inc. of Denver, Colorado, appears in dous force is spewing the dust and particles out the other
Appendix J. end, ultimately resoiling the carpet and degrading the
When shopping for a commercial-grade vacuum, con- IAQ. There are vacuums on the market that have “high-
sideration should be given to the rated volume of airflow efficiency particulate air” (HEPA) filters that can effec-
in cubic feet per minute (cfm). The higher the cfm, the tively stop 99.8 percent of all particulates 0.3 microns or
better. There is also the term water lift or static lift. This larger from passing through the filter. HEPA filters are
is a measure of the vacuum’s force. It is the force applied enormously expensive, but reasonably priced filtration
that can lift a column of water x number of inches. systems on vacuums are available with only a slightly re-
Again, the higher the number, the better. The third mea- duced filtration capability. Other criteria are price, main-
sure of performance is filtration efficiency. Little is ac- tenance, and noise levels.

Figure 6-19 A cart-top basket used

in conjunction with a housekeeper’s
cart. (Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Airport
Marriott Hotel.)
128 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

Figure 6-20 The Bellagio’s carts

are not only functional, but
aesthetically appealing. Notice the
neoprene bumper. (Photo courtesy of
Bellagio, MGM Mirage, Las Vegas,
Nevada.)

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) now evaluates “What Your Customers Need to Know about Vacuum
and certifies vacuums. The CRI certification carried by a Filtration” and the other is entitled, “The Science of Suc-
vacuum assures the user that the machine will remove tion.” These articles are all groundbreaking works on the
dirt, will protect the operator and others nearby from science of vacuums and vacuuming.
particulate emissions, and will not harm the carpet. An Traditionally, there should be one vacuum cleaner for
article by Jennifer C. Jones in Appendix J, entitled, each GRA, one for each public area housekeeper, and a
“Raising the Bar for Vacuum Effectiveness” explains in 10 percent complement of spare vacuums. However,
greater detail the CRI’s certification program. There are there has been considerable speculation about how to
also two articles written by the president of ProTeam, reduce vacuum cleaner expenditures and, at the same
Larry Shideler, in Appendix J. One of them is entitled time, increase the productivity of guestroom cleaning.

Figure 6-21 The Sensor XP® from

Windsor Industries, Inc. is a single-
motor vacuum with attached wand
and on-board accessories, which
carries CRI certification. (Photo
courtesy of Windsor Industries, a Castle
Rock Company, Englewood, Colorado.)
Cleaning Supplies and Equipment 129

Figure 6-23 The CRI-certified Wave® vacuum has an

on-board wand and accessories, two 802-watt motors, a
four-stage filtration system, and a 28-inch brush. (Photo
courtesy of Windsor Industries, a Castle Rock Company, Englewood,
Colorado.)

Figure 6-22 The Versamatic® is a dual-motor unit from

Windsor, with crevice tools and an attached wand. It too All manufacturers of commercial equipment make
carries CRI certification. (Photo courtesy of Windsor Industries, a models of this type and size, and each should be investi-
Castle Rock Company, Englewood, Colorado.) gated and compared before purchase.

Space Sweepers and Vacuums

Space vacuums and sweepers (Figure 6.24) look like
Backpack vacuums are recognized as being much faster lawn mowers. Vacuum/sweepers can be used on carpets
to use than the traditional push-pull varieties, but per- and hard floors. Approximately 30 inches (76.2 centime-
forming other functions, such as making the bed, while ters) wide, motor-driven, and capable of picking up large
wearing a backpack vacuum would be too cumbersome. items of debris, space vacuums are best suited for
Perhaps one or two members of a housekeeping team, vacuuming the large expanses of carpet found in ball-
such as the housekeeping aide, could perform all of the rooms, meeting rooms, and corridors. In a hotel the size
vacuuming. Time-and-motion studies would have to be of our model, both the banquet and housekeeping de-
done, but there may be an opportunity to cut back on partments need space vacuums. On occasion, one space
vacuum expenditures, increase productivity, and actually vacuum can substitute for the other if one is out of com-
reduce some of the stress and strain associated with mission. There will be times when the catering depart-
housekeeping activities, all at the same time. ment will need to use both space vacuums.

Corridor Vacuum Pile Lifter

Housekeeping teams have section housekeeping aides Pile lifting, as the term implies, means lifting carpet pile
whose responsibilities include vacuuming extensive sec- that has become packed. This process usually occurs in
tions of hotel corridors. Such areas have open expanses conjunction with shampooing.
of carpet that require an efficient form of vacuuming. A pile lifter used before shampooing assists in clean-
The section housekeeping aide should have a vacuum ing the carpet and, if used after shampooing, assists in
that can do this heavy and time-consuming task. A drying the carpet. Pile lifters are another form of vac-
motor-driven vacuum with an 18-inch to 28-inch foot, uum cleaner, having a very heavy vacuum and large ro-
shown in Figure 6.23 is appropriate for this type of work. tary brush that is operated by pulling the machine across
130 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

the carpet. One pile lifter is usually found in the arsenal

of equipment of every hotel with more than 300 rooms.

Wet Vacuums
Wet vacuums (Figure 6.25) are an absolute necessity in
hotel operations. Even though wet vacuums can be used
for both wet and dry vacuuming, they are usually main-
tained in their wet configuration and are therefore ready
for any spill emergency. There should be two wet
vacuums on the property, one in the banquet depart-
ment and one in housekeeping, both clean and ready for
use. Wet vacuums are also required when large areas of
noncarpeted floor are being stripped and cleaned. They
greatly aid in water removal, making such operations
more efficient.

Backpack Vacuums
Backpack vacuums (Figure 6.26) are very efficient for all
types of cleaning, including floors, drapes, ceiling cor-
ners, furniture, and walls. The weight of the units has
shrunk considerably, making them ergonomically viable.
An excellent article on backpack vacuums by Chris
Murray, entitled “Ergonomics and Backpack Vacs,” ap-
Figure 6-24 The Radius34™ is a self-propelled (gas or
battery) sweeper that can be used on carpet or hard
pears in Appendix J. Backpacks are particularly effective
floors—indoors or out—and has a 34-inch cleaning path. on stairs and in public areas (e.g., lobbies, hallways,
(Photo courtesy of Windsor industries, a Castle Rock Company, restaurants, and meeting rooms).
Englewood, Colorado.)

Figure 6-25 The Titan™ Wet Dry vacuums come in 8-, 16-, and 20-gallon models with attachments. (Photo courtesy of
Windsor Industries, a Castle Rock Company, Englewood, Colorado.)
Cleaning Supplies and Equipment 131

Figure 6-26 The Super

CoachVac™ from ProTeam is ideal
for hotel lobbies, meeting rooms,
restaurants, and all other high-
traffic areas. It has an impressive
150 cfm airflow and a 10-quart
capacity, but weighs only 10
pounds. The unit also has CRI
certification. (Photo courtesy of
ProTeam, Boise, Idaho.)

Electric Brooms
Electric brooms are very lightweight vacuums that have
no motor-driven beater brush. Electric brooms are used
primarily for very light vacuuming and are sometimes
used in place of the housekeeper’s vacuum. Electric
brooms are excellent for quick touch-ups on carpet and
hard floors or for sand and spills when full vacuuming is
not required. They should not be relied upon to replace
the housekeeper’s vacuum.

Single-Disc Floor Machines

The single-disc floor machine, also known as the buffer
or scrubber, is the most versatile item of equipment in
the housekeeper’s inventory. This machine can scrub
floors, strip floor finishes, spray buff floors, sand wood
floors, polish floors, and shampoo carpets. Machines are
available in 17-, 18-, 19-, 20-, and 21-inch models. These
machines will accommodate pads, brushes, and bonnets.
As has been noted already, different pads are designed
for different jobs, from stripping to buffing (see Figure
6.27).
Brushes are used to scrub floors and shampoo car-
pets, and bonnets are used to “bonnet clean” carpets (de-
scribed in Chapter 5). When selecting a standard single-
disc scrubber, do not select too small a scrubber. A larger Figure 6-27 The Merit™ Dual Speed Floor Machine has
machine will cover an area faster, thus reducing labor a 175 rpm speed for scrubbing and stripping, and a 300
costs. Depending on the model, a single-disc floor ma- rpm speed for spray buffing. (Photo courtesy of Windsor
chine will operate between 175 rpm and 350 rpm. Industries, a Castle Rock Company, Englewood, Colorado.)
132 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

Burnishers
Burnishers or ultrahigh-speed (UHS) buffers resemble
single-disc floor machines, but they operate at between
350 rpm and 2500 rpm. They were developed to polish
the new harder floor finishes that were introduced into
the market. Unlike the pads of single-disc floor ma-
chines, the pad of a UHS buffer does not rest entirely
upon the floor. Only the front part of the pad comes in
contact with the floor; the rest of the weight is distrib-
uted to the wheels. Many models have caster wheels in
the front of the machine to distribute the weight. UHS
buffers operate in a straight line, whereas traditional
scrubbers operate from side to side. There are battery
and propane models that enable the operator to cover
vast areas without the need for troublesome electric
cords. Propane models are noisy, they create noxious
fumes, and they present a possible fire hazard. They are
illegal in some municipalities.
Recent IAQ studies have shown burnishers to be a
significant source of indoor air pollution. As they grind
the floor finish to a high gloss, they blow the floor finish
particulates into the air. The individual at greatest risk
for lung problems is the operator of the equipment, but
others in the vicinity are also exposed. Only a few units
come with dust control systems. The astute housekeeper
should purchase only those units that have these sys-
tems. Pictured in Figure 6.28 is an ultra-high-speed
buffer with such a system.

Automatic Scrubbers
The purpose of the automatic scrubber is to scrub or
strip hard and resilient floors. The units apply a cleaning
or stripping solution, scrub the floor, and vacuum up the
dirty floor solution in one continuous operation. Most
units are self-propelled. Some have attachments that Figure 6-28 The Merit 2000 burnisher has a 2000 rpm
turn them into wet/dry vacuums, and others can also be speed and a “smart handle” that eliminates the need for
used to buff dry floors. In addition to AC electric-cord a front wheel. It also contains a dust control system.
models, there are battery-driven models. The better (Photo courtesy of Windsor Industries, a Castle Rock Company,
battery-driven models are preferred because the con- Englewood, Colorado.)

stant plugging and unplugging of electric cords is an in-

convenience and reduces employee productivity. Auto-
matic scrubbers come in a wide variety of sizes, from a There has been some recent research on wet extrac-
width of 17 inches to widths more than 4 feet. tion, confirming the experiences operators have had: the
When purchasing a machine to clean halls and aisles, more water discharged and picked up, the more dirt ex-
consider the number of passes necessary to clean a hall. tracted from the carpet. Most truck-mounted extraction
If a machine cleans aisles in the same number of passes units and the John Downey Company’s™ Steamin
as a smaller machine, then there is no benefit in paying Demon have a flow rate of more than three gallons per
the additional cost for the larger machine. Figure 6.29 minute. Tank machines typically discharge only a half
shows an automatic scrubber in action. gallon per minute.
However, a number of self-contained tank units have
Wet-Extraction Systems motorized beater brushes that help to dislodge dirt. The
Wet-extraction machines are sometimes referred to as self-contained tank machines may be electric-cord or
“steam” or hot water carpet machines. These terms are battery-powered. Figure 6.30 is an example of a self-
actually misnomers, for steam is never produced by contained unit, the Voyager™ E from Windsor, and Fig-
these machines and hot water is not often used because ure 6.31 is an illustration of the John Downey Com-
of the shrinkage and fading risk. pany’s Steamin Demon. Fans are often employed to help
Cleaning Supplies and Equipment 133

Figure 6-30 The Voyager E from Windsor® features a

40-gallon solution tank that can clean 8100 square feet
of carpet per hour. (Photo courtesy of Windsor Industries, a
Castle Rock Company, Englewood, Colorado.)
Figure 6-29 The Sabre Cutter™ with Squeeze Play has
a cleaning path of 36 inches, which can be reduced to 26
inches for narrow aisles. (Photo courtesy of Windsor Industries, will become soiled very quickly. The inconvenience of
a Castle Rock Company, Englewood, Colorado.) wet-extraction is offset by its benefits. There is no better
way to extract soil from a carpet.
Dry foam carpet cleaners brush a low-moisture foam
dry the carpet. A carpet should not be used, and nothing into the carpet that is vacuumed up after it has been al-
should be placed on the carpet, until it is perfectly dry. lowed to briefly dry. It does leave a residual amount of
This requires taking the carpet out of commission for foam in the carpet. Units come in a variety of width sizes,
two to four hours. A carpet that is not properly dried from 12 inches to more than 28 inches. Many have at-
may support mold growth, and if put back into use wet, tachments for upholstery.

Figure 6-31 The Steamin

Demon™ by the John Downey
Company is a tankless high-flow
extractor that utilizes the
operator’s own water supply and
discharge into the sewer. The unit
comes with 250 feet of supply/
discharge hose on the single-pump
model. The company also makes a
dual-pump model with 400 feet of
hose. (Illustration courtesy of the John
Downey Company, Granville, Ohio.)
134 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

Dry Powder Systems time, another unit, with shelves adjusted to receive clean
Dry powder systems normally use three pieces of equip- linen being processed in the laundry, may be moved to
ment. First, the dry powder is laid down on the carpet the satellite linen room so GRAs can load their house-
with an applicator. Then a brush unit works the powder keepers’ carts for the next day’s operation. Once emp-
into the carpet; this dislodges the soil from the carpet tied, the shelves are repositioned for a repeat of the cy-
fibers. The powder is then vacuumed up using a standard cle the next day. Mobile convertible shelving not only
vacuum cleaner. Pictured in Figure 6.32 is the Host Dry removes the need for permanent shelving in the laundry
Extraction Carpet Cleaning System. As mentioned in and satellite linen rooms, it reduces the three-step task
Chapter 5, this system allows the carpet to be walked on of moving linen from shelf to conveyor to shelf to a one-
immediately following cleaning. step loading process. There should be at least two units
for each satellite linen room.
Convertible Mobile Shelving
Convertible mobile shelving is unique in its versatility Trash-Handling Equipment
and construction. (A typical convertible mobile shelving Another piece of equipment used by the section house-
unit, shown in Figure 15.28, is discussed further in Chap- keeping aide is some form of conveyor, whereby rubbish
ter 15.) and other materials may be moved from various sections
A shelving unit in a satellite linen room, with shelves of the hotel to a disposal area.
adjusted to receive soiled linen, acts as a storage hamper A conveyor (Figure 6.33), known as a hopper, is rec-
for used linen. At the end of the day the soiled linen is ommended. The hopper may be used to remove soiled
moved to the laundry in its own conveyor. In the mean- linen several times each day from housekeepers’ carts to

Figure 6-32 The Host Dry Extraction

Carpet Cleaning System. (Photo courtesy
of Racine Industries, Inc.)
Guest Supplies 135

multiple uses of glasses justify the expense of a glass

washer.

Guest Supplies
A guest supply is any item that is conducive to the
guest’s material comfort and convenience. The term
amenity is commonly used to identify luxury items that
a hotel gives away to its guests at no extra charge, al-
though the cost of those items is often hidden in the
room rate.
There are also those guest supplies that are expected
to be used up by the guest that cannot be classified as
luxuries even at the most spartan budget property. We
shall categorize those items as guest expendables.
Then there are items essential to the guestroom that
are not normally used up or taken away by the guest.
These items shall be referred to as guest essentials.
Guest loan items are those guest supplies that are not
normally found in the guestroom, but are commonly
available to the guest when requested.
These categories of guest supplies are fairly arbitrary,
Figure 6-33 A housekeeping aide with his hopper but they represent an attempt to distinguish those items
making a run. (Photo courtesy of Bellagio, Las Vegas.) that are necessary in every room from those items that
are discretionary purchases.
Quite often the rate to be charged for each guestroom
the satellite linen room, or it may be used to carry rub- will have a bearing on the quantity and quality of these
bish sacks from maid’s carts for emptying. A great deal guest supplies. Although the guest supplies are not par-
of moving of material supplies and rubbish occurs each ticularly expensive if considered on an item-by-item ba-
day in each section of the hotel. Each housekeeping sis, their aggregate can add substantially to a hotel’s
team (section housekeeping aide) will therefore need a costs. Today, many budget properties are scaling back on
conveyor for moving material. their amenity packages. Yet luxury hotels can ill afford to
reduce their amenity packages. Many think that a reduc-
Sewing Machines tion in the amenity package would seriously reduce the
A sewing machine of commercial quality is useful in the perceived value of many luxury hotel rooms.10
main linen room. This sewing machine will be used to re- Guest supplies are a major storage and security con-
pair drapes and bedspreads and may be used to make cern. Some items such as guest pens, stationery, and en-
certain fabric items. The machine must be of commercial velopes appear in such great quantity and appear to be
quality, because one item requiring repair will be heavy of such little significance that employees who are not
blackout drapes. No automatic or multiple-stitch ma- well trained may feel that their use at home is quite ac-
chines are required. ceptable. Other items of higher value (such as portion
packages of guest laundry detergents and bleaches) may
Glass Washers require even greater security in storage. In such cases,
Depending on whether guestroom drinking glasses will locked-cage storage (inside storage rooms) is in order. If
be made of plastic or glass, and depending on the avail- not properly controlled, the indiscriminate use and neg-
ability of the hotel dish room dishwasher, the house- ligent storage of guest supplies can become a costly
keeping department may need its own glass washer. In expense.
hotels of major size (1000 rooms) a properly equipped
linen room should have a glass washer to prevent using
Amenity Packages
labor to move 15 or 20 cases of glasses to the kitchen
each night. Although amenities extend well beyond the guestroom
Glass washers are expensive and are major items of (free breakfasts, recreation facilities, and so on), our dis-
equipment. The use of real glasses as opposed to plastic cussion encompasses only those amenities that are
ones is a matter of quality as well as economics, and the found in the guestroom.
136 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

TABLE 6.1 Bathroom Amenity Items

Aftershave Hair conditioner
Bath gel Hand lotion
Bath salts Loofa sponges
Body oils Mouthwash
Body powder Nail clippers
Bubble bath Perfumes
Colognes Razors
Cosmetics Scissors
Deodorants Sewing kit
Deodorant soap Shampoo
Emery boards Shaving cream
Fabric wash Shoehorn
Face lotions Shoe mitt
Face soap Shower cap
Facial mud packs Tanning lotion
Glycerin soap

Bath Amenities
When members of the general public think of guestroom
amenities, they typically think of bathroom amenity
packages. Table 6.1 contains a listing of common amenity
items.
There are two opposing schools of thought when it
comes to bathroom amenities. One believes that the
guest appreciates seeing name-brand products on the
vanity counter, whereas the other is of the opinion that
the products should be “branded” with the hotel’s logo.
Fortunately, a number of suppliers can arrange (for a
price) to print both.
What should be of even greater concern to the hotel
is the cost-benefit relationship of amenities. Far too of-
ten the management of a hotel believes that customer
loyalty can be won by throwing money into an amenity
program. Management would be better served if it first
analyzed what is truly important to the guests. Figure 6-34 There is nothing institutional or pedestrian
Another major concern in regard to amenities is the about the look of these dispensers. These are from the
waste they create. A number of prestigious hotel chains AVIVA™ line by Dispenser Amenities Inc. (Photos courtesy of
have switched to bulk dispensers in the room, eliminat- Dispenser Amenities Inc., London, Ontario.)
ing all of the thousands of small bottles from the waste
stream. At the Saunders Hotels in Boston, the savings
generated from buying shampoos and conditioners in Guestroom Amenities
bulk is reinvested in the product, giving the guest higher- Guestroom amenities are items that can be found in the
quality soaps and shampoos. Dispensers need not have guest’s bedroom. Table 6.2 is a list of common guestroom
an institutional look (see Figure 6.34), and many do amenities.
have locks preventing anyone from compromising the
products.
Guest Essentials
At some hotels, there is nothing but the best in bath
amenities for their guests. Some, like the Bellagio, may Guest essentials are intended to remain with the hotel
even have different tiers of amenities, as shown in the after the guest departs. Unfortunately, this is not always
photo in Figure 6.35. the case. One particularly troublesome area for guests
Guest Supplies 137

Figure 6-35 An elegant display of

house-branded bath amenities at
the Bellagio are shown in the top
photo, but in the bottom photo are
special bath amenities found only
in the “Villa Suites” at Bellagio. If
you look very closely, you will see
that the label says, “Hermes.” Only
the very best will do for the highest
of high rollers! (Photos courtesy of
Bellagio, MGM Mirage, Las Vegas,
Nevada.)

and the hotel is the question of the clothes hanger. Years A colleague of the author’s, who is a designer by trade
ago, hotels eliminated the standard wooden hanger be- and a frequent business traveler, once suggested a guest
cause these hangers frequently found their way into the essential that would warm the heart of any traveler who
guest’s luggage. They were replaced by the knob-headed uses a suit bag: a small but well-anchored hook opposite
hanger, which was not stolen, but it was and continues to the clothes rack or closet in a hotel room. These hooks
be a source of irritation to the guest. Enter the hanger would be placed approximately 6 feet 6 inches from the
with an undersized hook. This compromise item has a floor and would serve as hooks for suit bags. Unloading
hook that is too small to fit over a standard clothes rack, a suit bag from inside the closet or from the bed, con-
but it is far easier to use. tends the designer, is extremely inconvenient. Although
138 Chapter 6 ■ Material Planning: Supplies and Equipment

TABLE 6.2 Guest Amenities guest’s departure but are replenished when the room is
made ready for a new guest. All expendable items are
Bathrobes Flowers
normally inventoried and stored by the housekeeping
Chocolate Free in-room beverages
department.
Clothes sachets Free snacks
Guest expendables are also listed in Table 4.2.
Coffeemaker In-room movies
Corkscrews Luxury stationery
Expensive pens Quality pens Guest Loan Items
Guest loan items are not maintained in the guestroom
but are available if requested by the guest on a receipted
loan basis. Guest loan items are usually stored in the
a few hotels have recognized this need, they are an ex- main linen room (housekeeping center of operations)
tremely small minority. and, when requested, are delivered to the guest with a
One final note on guest essentials: The hotel logo will receipt form. Such receipts should specify when the item
often make these items souvenirs and, as such, will cause may be picked up so as not to convey the idea that they
them to disappear at alarming rates. If it is decided that are free for the taking.
this is an effective form of “advertising,” then perhaps
the cost for these items should be shared with other de-
partments in the hotel, particularly the marketing Summary
department.
A list of guest essentials appears in Table 4.2. The financial success of any institution is not necessarily
the result of a few isolated strategic decisions. It is often
accomplished through hundreds of small decisions con-
Guest Expendables cerning such minutiae as the selection of the right soap
Guest expendables, those items expected to be used up cake for the guestroom, the purchase of the right size of
or taken by the guest, are sometimes supplied by organi- floor machine, and using a bathroom cleaner that will
zations other than the housekeeping department. For ex- not harm fixtures. The professional housekeeper must
ample, laundry bags and laundry slips are usually sup- stay abreast of technological developments in house-
plied by the cleaning establishment that provides valet keeping supplies and equipment and must base all pur-
service. Many guest expendable items (such as soaps) chase and use decisions on objective fact finding, not on
are not necessarily used up or taken away upon the the hype of smooth-talking vendors.

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

Pathogenic microorganisms Stock-outs Indoor air quality (IAQ)
Detergents All-purpose cleaners Defoamers
Disinfectants Odor-pair neutralization Metal cross-linked polymer finishes
Dwell time Nosocomial infection Thermoplastic
Bacteriostat Antichlors HazComm
Quaternary ammonium compounds Sours Material safety data sheets
Idophors Nonionic detergent Amenity
Hypochlorites Cationic Guest expendables
Hydrogen peroxide Petroleum naptha solvents Guest essentials
Phenolic compounds Flash point Guest loan items
Sanitizer Volatile organic compound (VOC)

DISCUSSION AND REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What amenities would you feature in a budget 4. List the applications for a single-disc floor machine.
hotel property? In a midsized property? In a luxury 5. Define these terms:
property?
disinfectant
2. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of relying sanitizer
primarily on an all-purpose chemical cleaner. detergent
3. In which areas of the hotel should a housekeeper use a sour
disinfectant cleaner? In which areas would a sanitizer antichlor
be appropriate? amenity
Summary 139

6. Explain the benefits of using convertible mobile shelv- 7. What constitutes a “green” chemical?
ing.

NOTES
1. Green Seal, “Who We Are and What We Do.” Avail- 5. “Premeasured Detergents and Costs,” Executive
able from http://www.greenseal.org/about.htm; ac- Housekeeping Today, November 1982, p. 12.
cessed May 20, 2003. 6. Ron Gillette, “Aerosols under Pressure,” Sanitary
2. Michael A. Berry, Protecting the Built Environment: Maintenance, June 1990, p. 22.
Cleaning for Health (Chapel Hill, NC: Tricomm 21st 7. Christine O’Dwyer, “Chemical Warfare,” Lodging, De-
Press, 1994), p. 81. cember 1990, pp. 59–60.
3. John J. Dykstra and Andrew R. Schwarz, “Sanitation 8. Buzz Flannigan, “Mopping Equipment,” Sanitary
and Disinfection Key to Infection Control,” Executive Maintenance, May 1989, p. 42.
Housekeeping Today, November 1990, p. 4. 9. Buzz Flannigan, “Mopping Equipment,” Sanitary
4. “Handwashing: The Most Effective Method in Pre- Maintenance, May 1989, p. 80.
venting Nosocomial Infection,” Executive Housekeep- 10. Christine O’Dwyer, “Should You Cut Amenities?”
ing Today, May 1990, p. 12. Lodging, October 1990, pp. 73–75.