Nobody knows how to clean faster and more thoroughly than a hotel maid. To cut down on the time you spend cleaning, take these tips from Radisson Housekeeping Manager Maria Stickney:
- Clear the clutter – Removing the clutter removes the temptation to dust or mop around things. Clear away towels, bathmat, cups and glasses and reading materials from the counters and floors before you begin to clean.
- Use microfiber cloths – They are the most efficient. Second best are 100 percent cotton, such as old diapers or T-shirts, slightly dampened. Avoid terrycloth and polyesters, which only create more dust.
- Give drapes a good whack between dry cleanings – Doing so knocks dust to the floor, where it is easily mopped or vacuumed.
- Do the bathrooms last – Starting in the bedrooms or other rooms means there’s less chance of transporting bathroom bacteria to the rest of the house.
- Give cleaning products time to work – Spray the shower walls and the toilet and leave them to do their job for several minutes. Use that time to clean the mirrors, windows, medicine cabinet, and counters. Then go back and wash off the other surfaces, using way less elbow grease.
- Your best cleaner is in your pantry – One part vinegar to three parts water cleans most surfaces well and clears the cloudiness left behind by other cleansers.
- Vacuum before you mop –Always vacuum or sweep before you mop. Hair on the floor can be difficult to remove. When it’s time to mop, start from the far corner and make your way to the door.
- Vacuum into the room, then out – Starting from the entrance and moving toward the walls, then vacuuming your way out again lets you cover the main traffic areas twice.
- Have a toothbrush on hand – They are great for cleaning between tiny cracks in tile and elsewhere – such as around the bottom screws of the toilet.
- Corral the tools – Fill a plastic bin or bucket with all your cleaning supplies, rags and brushes and keep it one place. Keeping everything together cuts the time it takes to get the job done when you are ready.
