HOUSKEEPING ASSIGNMENT -1

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLEANING

AGENTS USED IN HOUSEKEEPING
There are 4 different types of cleaning agents commonly used by housekeepers in
private houses and hotels. Each of the cleaning agents has a specific purpose and
should only be used as intended, otherwise dangerous and costly mishaps can
occur.

The four types of cleaning agents used in housekeeping are:

 Detergents
 Degreasers
 Abrasives
 Acids

Training for correctly using these chemical cleaning agents is part of Polo &
Tweed’s Housekeeping Course to ensure housekeepers are knowledgeable in
safety procedures and best practices for using each type of cleaning agent. In this
article we’ll cover the following aspects of our housekeeping job training and
using cleaning agents:

 Safety aspects of handling cleaning agents

 Labeling of chemical cleaning agents
 Chemicals used in different types of cleaning agents
 Appropriate use of the different types of cleaning agents
 Tips for using chemical cleaning agents
 Safely Storing and Handling Cleaning Agents
Many of the chemicals used in cleaning agents can be harmful to human health and
the environment. The chemicals are classified as irritants and/or allergenic
fragrances so there are strict regulations governing the concentration of these toxic
chemicals in the cleaning agents.
However, if you are using and storing cleaning agents in an institution or a house,
you’re obligated to follow the manufacturers’ instructions to ensure your own
safety and use safe systems at work, including:

Reading product labels carefully before using them

Avoid direct skin contact to prevent dermatitis and other skin irritations.

Awareness of Labeling Definitions

Symbols or pictograms on the labels of cleaning agents indicate whether chemical
ingredients are oxidizing , highly or extremely flammable, toxic, harmful, irritant,
corrosive, or dangerous for the environment.

In the past, certain symbols were used for a variety of definitions but the European
Union recently phased in new labeling requirements for clarification which were
phased in by 2017. The old pictograms had orange backgrounds. The new
pictograms have white backgrounds.

These two new symbols were added:

Indicates health hazards such as skin irritation or sensitization ,

serious eye irritation, or that a product could be harmful if
swallowed.
Contains chemicals that pose serious health hazards including carcinogens,
respiratory sensitizers, reproductive toxicity, target organ toxicity, germ cell
mutagens.

Safe Use Icons

The following icons and phrases can also be found on the packaging of cleaning agents. Depending on
the space available on the label, only the icon may be displayed, so housekeepers should know what
the icons mean and follow the recommendations.

Detergents
Detergents are substances containing soaps and/or surfactants (any organic
substance/mixture) that are used for washing or cleaning jobs for the household,
institutional or industrial purposes, including:
  Dishwashing
 Handwashing
 Laundry washing
 Fabric softeners
 All-purpose cleaners
 Bleaching

There are many cleaning products containing detergents and they come in various
forms, including powders, tablets, concentrated liquids, liquid capsules, pastes or
cakes.

Phosphorus in Detergents
Phosphorus is an ingredient commonly used in detergents. However, it is a toxic
chemical, so there are strict limits on the amount of phosphorus allowed in
detergents.

Phosphorus limit in laundry detergents

According to EU Detergent regulations, consumer laundry detergents (for use by
non- professionals, including in public launderettes ) must not contain more than
0.5 grams of phosphorus in the recommended quantity of the detergent used in a
standard washing machine load. This applies to the recommended quality of
detergent.

Phosphorus limit in dishwasher detergents

The total content of phosphorus allowed in a standard dosage expressed in grams
or ml or number of tablets for the main washing cycle for normally soiled
tableware in a fully loaded dishwasher (12 place settings) must not exceed 0.3
grams. However, there are provisions for water hardness.

Restrictions on Chemical Fragrances in Detergents

There are 26 chemical fragrances commonly used in detergents which are most
often linked to causing allergic reactions. For this reason, the concentration of the
fragrances listed below must not exceed 0.01% by weight in detergents.
Amyl Cinnamal
Benzyl Alcohol
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Citral
Eugenol
Hydroxycitronellal
Isoeugenol
Amylcinnamyl Alcohol
Benzyl Salicylate
Cinnamal
Coumarin
Geraniol
Hydroxyisohexyl
3-cyclohexene
Carboxaldehyde
Anise Alcohol
Benzyl Cinnamate
Farnesol
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Linalool
Benzyl Benzoate
Citronellol
Hexyl Cinnamal
Limonene
Methyl 2-octynoate
Alpha-isomethyl Ionone
Evernia Prunastri Extract
Evernia Furfuracea Extract

The Danger to Children of Liquid Laundry Detergent

Capsules (Liquitabs)
Housekeepers working in private houses or establishments where children are
present must avoid the risk of children getting hold of liquid laundry detergent
capsules and putting them in their mouths.

Liquid laundry detergent capsules or liquitabs intended for single use contain
highly concentrated liquid detergent in soluble packages which are usually brightly
coloured, making them attractive to children, who could mistake them for sweets.

Incidents of Poisoning
Poison Centres in several EU countries have reported a significant number of
severe incidents of ingestion and eye damage involving infants and young children
regarding liquid laundry detergent capsules – a higher accident rate compared to
laundry detergents in other types of packaging.

The main symptoms and consequences of exposure to concentrated laundry

detergent can be:

If ingested: severe vomiting, coughing, respiratory disorders, nausea,

drowsiness and rash.

In case of contact with the eyes: conjunctivitis, eye pain, eye irritation.
In case of contact with the skin: skin rash, skin irritation, chemical burn.

 Degreasers
Degreasers are used for heavy-duty cleaning to remove grease, grime, dirt and oil
from hard surfaces. They are used in commercial kitchens to remove grease from
grills, ovens and other metal surfaces as well as from heavily soiled floors.

How Degreasers Work

Grease, oils and fats are organic dirt which is broken down by alkaline solutions
and solvents. Heavy duty degreasers such as oven cleaners have a high pH (more
alkaline). All purpose cleaners for light dirt and dust have neutral pH .

Cleaning and degreasing agents on the pH scale

All-purpose cleaners         pH 6-8 (neutral)

Cleaner-degreasers           pH 9-10 (alkaline)

Heavy-duty degreasers    pH 11-13 (high alkaline)

Oven cleaners                    pH 14 (extremely alkaline)

Common Ingredients in Degreasers

Sodium Carbonate (soap ash)

Sodium Meta Silicate

Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA)

Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Kerosene

Methylated spirits / white spirit Xylene

Safety Awareness When Using Degreasers

As degreasers are high-alkaline cleaning agents they can be corrosive, so
housekeepers must closely follow the Instructions on the product labels to ensure
they are only used for their intended purpose and to avoid damage to surfaces.

Health Risks
High-alkaline cleaners and degreasers can cause chemical burns to the skin.
Degreasers should be used in well-ventilated areas along with skin and eye
protection.

Some degreasing products contain ammonia or lye, which should never be mixed
with bleach, which results in a chemical reaction, producing poisonous chlorine
gas.

Safer Alternatives
A variety of naturally alkaline ingredients can be used in degreasers in place of
strong chemicals to reduce health risks. Environmentally-friendly, non-toxic and
non-fuming degreasers are becoming more popular in commercial kitchens to
prevent chemical contamination.

Abrasives
Abrasives are either powders or liquids used to wear off dirt from hard surfaces
such as sinks, floors, kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

How Abrasives Work

The main ingredients in abrasives are usually small particles or minerals. The
effectiveness of an abrasive agent depends on the coarseness of those particles.
Their abrasiveness depends on the coarseness of the particles in the product.
For example, a fine grade of chalk (gilder’s whiting) is used in silver polish, so that
it doesn’t scratch the silverware. Here are some of the other substances used in
abrasive cleaners:

Aluminum oxide

Calcium carbonate

Calcite

Feldspar

Quartz

Silica

Whiting (powdered chalk)

Caution when using abrasives

Housekeepers should always read the labels on abrasive cleaning agents to make
sure they use the appropriate product for the cleaning task at hand.

Coarse abrasives can damage surfaces such as plastic, fiberglass, glass, non-stick
cookware, painted woodwork, plated metal, and highly polished metal.

Housekeepers should also exercise caution when repeatedly using abrasive

cleaners on hard surfaces such as sinks, bathtubs, and kitchen appliances, because
the abrasive agent gradually scratches the finish of these items.

The scratches become deeper over time and dirt becomes more deeply embedded,
requiring even stronger abrasives to clean out embedded dirtier and stains over
time.

Abrasives and Disinfectants

Some abrasive cleaners also contain chemical or organic disinfectants to kill
bacteria at the same time. These disinfecting (antimicrobial) agents can include:
pine oil, quaternary ammonium compounds or sodium hypochlorite (household
bleach).
As chemical antimicrobial agents are regulated, the product will be labelled
“disinfectant”, so housekeepers should closely follow the directions on the label.

 Housekeeping Tips for Using Coarse Abrasives

 Always test abrasive cleaners on a small, inconspicuous area of the
surface to
 be cleaned before using the cleaner on the entire surface.
 Use sparingly and rub gently. Do
 Do not use abrasives on marble or other natural stone surfaces.
 Only use on surfaces not harmed by mild abrasives or acids
 Don’t allow abrasives to dry out on the surface being cleaned

Acid Cleaning Agents

Acid cleaning agents are often highly concentrated solutions that are used for the
toughest cleaning jobs to dissolve mineral deposits (descaling) and ingrained
grime.

As such, acid cleaners can be dangerous and highly corrosive so they should be
handled with extreme care and diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Uses for Acid Cleaning Agents

Descaling mineral deposits

Rust removal

Tough stain removal

Dissolving

Cleaning masonry

Mould removal

Bathroom tile cleaner

Restoring tarnished or discoloured metal

Acid Strengths
Different cleaning jobs with acid cleaners require different strengths or dilutions of
acid solutions. Acid cleaners are often used by housekeeping staff for cleaning
bathrooms and for dishwashers.

Very Mild Acid Cleaners

Vinegar and lemon juice are mildly acidic (about 5%) and have the benefit of
being organic. They can be used to remove hard-water deposits from glassware.

Very Strong Acidic Cleaners

Oxalic acid, Hydrochloric and sulfuric acid are strong acids used as rust removers
and toilet bowl cleaners and are very poisonous.

Safety Precautions When Using Acid Cleaners

Acid cleaning agents are highly toxic so housekeepers must follow label
instructions exactly.

 Do not mix acid cleaning agents with other cleaners.

 Avoid contact with skin or your eyes
 Avoid splashing or spilling Acid cleaners on other materials
 Ventilate rooms when using acid cleaners

Tips for Using Different Types of Cleaning Agents

Apart from the daily routine of dusting and cleaning, housekeepers are often faced
with a cleaning job which requires special treatment.

Unblocking a drain in the bathroom clogged with hair, soap, and toothpaste
requires one type of treatment while a kitchen drain may have become clogged up
with fat and grease, requiring a different kind of cleaning agent.

Or perhaps you need to get the grime off a collection of glassware that’s been left
on a kitchen shelf collecting grease and grime since last year’s annual ball. Here
are some guidelines on specialty cleaners for those special jobs:
 
-

Cleaning Job Specialty Cleaning Agent

Diluted liquid household bleach

Fabric stained with fungi, mould and mildew (sodium hypochlorite)

Kitchen drain clogged with fat and grease Sodium hydroxide

Sodium hypochlorite and

Bathroom drain clogged with hair and soap sodiumhydroxide

Glass stained with body oils Solvents and alkaline cleaning agents

Glass stained with mineral salts Acetic acid (vinegar)

Showerhead clogged with mineral deposits Citric, oxalic, sulfamic or hydroxyacetic

from hard water (limescale and rust) acid to dissolve the minerals

Tarnished metal Kaopolite (clay) or fine hydrous silica

Polo & Tweed Housekeeping Training Courses

Polo & Tweed’s housekeeping courses instill an eye for detail and a passion for
‘keeping house’. Housekeeping trainees perfect all the skills for professional
housekeeping in institutions, private houses and luxury hotels.
Our housekeeping courses include group courses and bespoke, tailor-made courses
for individuals that literally open up a world of opportunities with improved
confidence, organizational and housekeeping management skills.

Housekeeping trainees benefit from personal guidance by highly experienced

housekeeping professionals and practical hands-on experience to gain in-depth
knowledge of housekeeping secrets for success.

HOUSKEEPING ASSIGNMENT-2
Role of horticulture in housekeeping
depatment
HORTICULTURE :- The section of housekeeping takes care of landscaping,
indoor plants and flower arrangements.  It ensures a daily supply of fresh cut
flowers plants give the hotel an eco-friendly environment.  Flower arrangements
add beauty and are symbol of welcome.  Guests tend to frequent hotels which
follow eco-friendly practices.

Many large hotels have their own horticulturist, who report to assistant
housekeeper. He / she leads a team of gardener in maintaining landscaped gardens
of the hotel as well as in supplying flowers from gardens for flower arrangements
in the hotels. Flowers are used largely to enhance aesthetic appeal of various areas
of the hotel.

Head Gardener:
 He reports to the horticulturist and maintains landscaped areas and gardens in
the hotel. His/her duties are:-

 Brief, schedule, and allot duties.

 Purchase plant seeds, plantings.

 Purchase and supervise usage of manure and fertilizers.

 Maintain watering schedules of plants and attend problems regarding watering

schedules.

 Maintain and prepare indoor plants for the hotel.

 Supervise and maintaining the lawns.

 Ensure gardeners are handling equipments and tools efficiently.

Gardeners:-
Gardeners report to the head gardener or the horticulturist. They keep landscaped
areas, lawns and gardens clean and aesthetically beautiful. His/her duties are:-

 Dig landscaped areas and maintain them.

 Plant saplings and seeds

 Water gardens as per schedules.

 Maintain plant nursery and green house.

 Prepare potted flowers and potted plants.

HARSHIT KHATRI