13 Simple Cleaning Techniques Used by Housekeepers in Luxury Hotels

Ever wonder why housekeepers always leave the door open when cleaning the room? As Perry Knight, a hotel manager and cleaning coach, explains, it’s the easiest technique to air out and deodorize a room while cleaning. “Use it at home: Always leave the area open when you’re cleaning,” Knight says.

The best way to start tidying a room is to start from scratch, says Maria Stickney, the hotel’s housekeeping manager: She always clears out the trash and puts everything back on the shelves first. “Otherwise, you might be tempted to pick things up, wipe down whatever they’re sitting on, and then set them down on a damp surface, which can leave stains,” says Maria.

“The main secret to fast and effective cleaning is the right cloth. Microfiber is ideal: it does what other fabrics can’t. But if you don’t have one, use 100% cotton, like an old pillowcase or a worn T-shirt,” advises Agustin Canongo, the hotel’s housekeeping director.

Read also: 10 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Using Microfiber: What to Do to Make It Wash Everything Perfectly Clean

It doesn’t matter if it’s wood shelves, a glass coffee table, granite countertops or a stainless steel sink. “If you leave the surface wet, it can leave streaks or cause dust to stick,” Knight says.

The housekeeping manager at the Chelsea Spa Hotel swears by the melamine sponge’s ability to instantly remove scratches and scuffs from walls and other surfaces. But there’s another unexpected cleaning tool out there, and it’s…

This porous volcanic stone is capable of many things: pumice can be used to clean glass cookware, ovens and grills, rusty tools, and even granite from hard water stains.

You probably already know that degreaser can work its magic when it comes to baked-on oil residue on the stove or splatters in the microwave. But, Psenichnik says, the product has another use: It can easily tackle soap stains in the shower. “Yes, it will need to be rinsed off, but it removes tough buildup very well,” Chelsea says.

Chelsea says this is one of the most important rules for avoiding cross-contamination. “If you start mopping a surface without vacuuming the floor, water will get on it and the dust will turn into sticky dirt. So we always start by dusting, sweeping or vacuuming before damp mopping,” she explains.

Sandra Neri, the hotel’s hygiene manager, recommends always taking the time to read the labels on cleaning products. “You need to understand how much of the product you need to disinfect and clean, and how to use it properly. It usually needs some contact time with the surface for it to do its job,” she explains.

If you have children or pets in the home, there will almost certainly be invisible stains on upholstery that haven’t been thoroughly washed, which are sources of unpleasant odors. “Use an ultraviolet light to detect them,” says maid Deebo Muhammad.

“Everyone thinks we have an incredible secret weapon against dirt. But the best you can find is vinegar and water. Mix them in a ratio of 1:3 and you have a product that perfectly cleans surfaces and removes stains,” explains Agustin.

The maid carries her entire arsenal with her on a convenient trolley, and you should get a mini version of it – it can be a regular bucket or a plastic container with a handle filled with cleaning products, rags and brushes. “Keep it in one place and take it with you when cleaning,” advises housekeeper Emma Anderson.

“A lot of people don’t realize that pushing the brush forward is mainly to get it into place. It’s the pull of the vacuum that actually removes dirt—slow down on that motion for cleaner carpets and floors. And be sure to double-vacuum high-traffic areas,” says Agustin.

This is another useful Chelsea rule: cleaning should be done properly – when you’ve finished all the work, wipe down the areas you’ve touched most often – for example taps and door handles.

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