32 CARE AND MAINTAINANCE OF CLEANING EQUIPMENTS

PL. Sridevi Sivakami

1. Introduction

Cleaning equipments are essential tool for housekeeping professionals. They help improve productivity and efficiency. Efficient cleaning and maintenance are dependent upon high-quality cleaning equipment, correctly used. Though only 5-10 % of the overall cost incurred cleaning is accounted for cleaning equipment and agent, selecting the ideal equipment play a major role. The department is responsible for the maintenance of all equipment in their custody. For equipment acquired under grants and contracts, the principal investigator shares the responsibility with the department chair or dean. Housekeeper should be aware of any specific equipment care and maintenance requirements defined by their grants or contracts. It is the equipment custodian’s responsibility to care for equipment entrusted to his or her possession or supervision, and to keep it safe.

2. Objectives

After reading this module, you should be able to

Ø  understand  the importance of  care and  maintenance of cleaning equipments used in housekeeping department.

Ø  know about the various procedures followed to care and maintain the different cleaning equipments used in housekeeping department.

3. Specific Responsibilities Include

a.Providing the maintenance necessary to obtain a high quality of production and the most useful service life of the equipment.

b. Keeping detailed maintenance records for all equipment. This includes but is not limited to:

§   Recording the date and the details of the completed service,

§    Noting any deficiencies or repair discovered,

§   Documenting the results of the inspection,

§    Documenting any action(s) performed, and

§    Maintaining a data file of certification documents.

§   Maintaining the property according to current technical standards.

c.Housekeeper have to refer to service procedures, processes, or manuals for the required service specifications and details of items to be serviced.

d.  Scheduling and completing periodic maintenance according to industry standards. This includes:

§   Lubricating

§    Cleaning

§    Calibration

e.Coordinating and arranging for service to be performed by outside agencies or internal service groups such as Facilities Services Maintenance &  Alterations.

f.Performing any unscheduled maintenance in an expeditious manner. When unscheduled calibration, maintenance, or repair service is

performed, document the service.

g.Establishing and performing periodic reviews of the calibration /preventive maintenance system.

4.  Care and Maintenances Of Manual Cleaning Equipments

4.1. Brushes

Brushes should be gently tapped on a hard surface to loosen dust after the cleaning process. Frequent washing with water is avoidable since the brushes may loose some of their stiffness in this way. If they must be washed frequently the final rinse should be in hold saline water to help the brushes regain their stiffness. Brushes should be cleaned of all fluff and threads before washing they may be washed in warm, mild, soapy water. A disinfectant should be added to the rinsing water for toilet brushes.If brushes with natural bristles(vegetable or animal origin) have been used for wax polishing, washing soda once we use this chemical 1 tbsp that is 15 g of washing soda have to be diluted to 2 litres of water should be added to remove grease thoroughly. Brushes should be washed by beating the head up and down, with the bristles facing downwards, so that water splashes up between the tufts. They should be rinsed well in the same way in cold water. After shaking off excess water, the brushes should be left to dry in such a way that the remaining water may drip off the side of the brush are the top of the head stock. Brushes should never be left resting on their bristles, else they will splay out; if left resting on their stock, water will rot the stock in time. The best way would be to hang the brushes bristles downward. When possible, brushes should be dries in the sun or open air.To extend the life of a brush, lacquer should be applied to the stock and handle with an oil can and allow to harden.

4.2. Brooms:

Broom should be shaken free of dust and fluff. They should never be stored standing on the bristle, or the bristle will bend out of shape, resulting in insufficient cleaning. Broom should be stored either lying horizontally or hanging bristles downward.Soft brooms should never be used on wet surfaces.Stiff brooms such as the coconut fibre brooms can be used on wet surface, but must afterwards be cleaned thoroughly in saline water and dried in the sun before using.

4.3. Box Sweepers:

The friction brush should be kept clean, tells the efficiency of the equipment will be seriously impaired. After the cleaning process, the dust pans should be emptied of all the collected dust.

4.4. Dry &Wet Mops

a. Dry mops

Mops should be shaken well after use out doors. The mop heads should be easily detachable so that they can be frequently washed in hot water with detergents. The use of soap-free detergent will prevent the formation of scum that clogs the fibre of the head. The mop must be worked up and down in atleast to changes to clean, hot water. The clean mop should then be tightly squeezed out, shaken well to get rid of excess moisture, and left to dry in open air. Once dry, the mops may need to be re-impregnated.New mops must be soaked in clean in water for 30 minutes to allow for shrinkage.

b. Wet Mops

Mops should be taken outdoors after use and shaken well to remove excess moisture. Then these mops may be washed in the same way as dry mops. Detachable heads are easier to clean and maintain. However, drying is the most important part of mop care as bacteria require moisture to multiply. A disinfectant to discourage their growth is effective only for a short period of time, so leaving them damp means letting germs bread. Damp mops should be renewed as soon as there are signs of wear. They should be stored in such a way that air is allowed to circulate around the mop head. Disinfectant or bleach should never be used with a cellouse sponge head. Sponge heads should be washed and rinsed after use, squeezed out excess water, and dried well. The sponge head should be stored by hanging.

4.5. Polish Applicators:

Polish applicators should not be washed with water. Wiping away excess polish with newspaper on rags before it dries should surface .It is important to label the applicators with the type of polish for which they are to be used so that each applicator is used with just one kind of polish to avoid mixing.

5.  Mechanical Cleaning Equipments 5.1. Vacuum Cleaners

Vacuum cleaners will give maximum efficiency when they are, maintained well. Housekeeping staff need to be trained in the care and maintenance of the machines. The wheels of the machine need to be oiled periodically. After use, the dust bags should be checked , if the machine is operated with the dust bags full, the cleaning will not be efficient, the machine may heat up too much, and the bags may get damaged. The casing should be wiped daily and the hose and flex checked before use. The attachment heads should be cleaned after each use. The filter should be checked after use. If the machine is meant for dry suction only, It should never be used to clear even a little amount of water, else the dust bags will get damaged.

In case of wet vacuum, the bucket should be washed, rinsed, and dried. The squeegee should be wiped clean and replaced when necessary. The hose needs to be rinsed out, the casing and the wheels wiped, and the filter checked after use. The wheels need oiling periodically. The hoses should be stored hanging on hooks. The tubes and attachment heads of a dry vacuum cleaner should be stored in boxes, drawers, or selves. The hoses and attachment heads of wet vacuum cleaners should be stored off the ground on a rack, in a well- ventilated place.

5.2. Rotary Floor Machine

All machines especially rotary machines must be handled by trained and experienced people only. Improper use of the machines can cause such damage to carpets as seam separation, de- lamination of backing material, bucking, shrinking, premature face fibre wear. Such equipment comes with accessories and attachments like hoses and electrical cords. Houses must be checked for perforation and leaks. They must be rinsed properly after use. Electrical cords must be checked for frayed insulation and naked wire. The plugs used must fit in the sockets well. Never put bare wire ends of cords into sockets as they involve hazards of electrocution and short circuits. Small objects like pins and needles must be removed with a brush and dustpan first before vacuum cleaning the carpet as these items lend to puncture the dust bag of the vacuum cleaner. Any large object should also removed from the floor as it could damage the suction process. Suction nozzles should be facing downwards when vacuuming as other articles like jewellery, fine garments should be sucked in.

5.3. General Purpose Floor Machines

The brushes and pads should never be left on the machine after cleaning. The brushes should be detached after cleaning. The fluff should be removed from them before washing. Wet ones should be washed, rinsed, and dried after use. The dry ones should be washed occasionally, but dust should be tapped away after use regularly. The pads should be washed, rinsed, and dried thoroughly. The tanks should be emptied, washed, and dried. The wheels and casing should be wiped after use. The wheels need chilling periodically. The flex should be checked for any fraying before each use. Brushes and pads should be stored in a well – ventilated area, preferably on airing racks or hooks. They should not be kept that on the ground. The tops of the tanks may be loosely fitted during storage.

6. Clothes

6.1. Duster and Cloth Mittens: Wash, rinse, and dry thoroughly after use, if cloth mittens are impregnated with mineral oil after washing, keep them covered or they will attract dust.

6.2. Swabs and Wipes: Wash in hot detergent water, rinse, and dry thoroughly after use. Those used on WCs should be disinfected after washing.

6.3. Floor Cloths: Wash in hot detergent water, rinse, disinfectant (as floors may harbour many germs), and dry thoroughly

6.4. Scrim : This is a strong, coarse fabric, chiefly used for heavy-duty lining or upholstery. a type of heatproof gauze cloth put over film or television lamps to diffuse the light. This cloth have to be wash, rinse and dry after use

6.5. Glass Cloths: Wash, rinse, and dry after use

6.6. Rags & Polishing Cloths: Rags should be disposed of after use, rinse, polishes with a strong odour may contain flammable chemicals and strong rags and polishing cloths used in their application may prove a fire hazard.

6.7. Wet Cloths: Wash in hot detergent water, rinse and dry thoroughly. Disinfectant periodically to prevent them from becoming unhygienic.

6.8. Chamois Leather :If not maintained properly, leather gets cracked and is damaged easily. Remove excess dirt from it with newspaper. Wash only whennecessary, in plan cold water. Rinse and either store damp or dry flat. When dry, rub to soften the leather again.

6.9. Dust Sheets: Shake well outdoors after use. Wash, rinse, and dry when necessary, fold neatly and store when not in use.

6.10. Druggets: Shake well by tapping on the ground outdoors if made of plastic. Use a hard brush to clean away stubborn dirt from cloth, rinse and dry canvas and linen ones frequently. Plastic ones can be damp wiped instead.

6.11. Hearth and Bucket Cloths: Shake well after use. Use, rinse, and thoroughly after use. Use a hard brush to clean away stubborn soiling.

7. Conclusion:

Cleaning is one of the major tasks the housekeeping force performs. Cleaning is an essential aspect for hygiene, cleaning also makes a pleasant atmosphere thus every establishment must be cleaned and well maintained. Unwanted substances are removed by washing. “Cleaning” is a process of removing stains, dirt, dust, grease and unwanted impurities. It includes mopping, sweeping, scrubbing and washing. The staff needs to take the help of various cleaning equipment while trying to keep the hotel premises to the highest standard of appearance. Today, there is a wide range of cleaning products available in the market. Cleaning equipment should be well maintained clean and in good repair. Cleaning equipments require attention to avoid cross-transmission of micro organisms and growth of micro organism in dirty environment. Tools and equipments used for cleaning and disinfecting must be cleaned and dried between users. .

Web links

• purchasing.umn.edu/purchasing-methods-procedures.html
• https://eli.ctas.tennessee.edu/reference/purchasing-principles-and-techniques https://www.purchasing-procurement-center.com/purchasing-strategies.html
• https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/sites/default/files/2013/batoev.pdf
• www.mymarketresearchmethods.com/new-market-research-methods-techniques/
• www.groningerhomes.com/services/consult/purchasing-cost-control