Hotel Housekeeping - Lesson 02

CLEANING AGENTS
Cleaning agent in general can be defined as natural or synthetic substances that are used to assist the cleaning process- that is, the removal of dirt and dust and the maintenance of a clean appearance on the surface. The various kinds of cleaning agents used by the housekeeping department staff are as described below
WATER:
Water is the probably the most common and widely used cleaning agent as it is easily available. It is useful in rinsing and finishing of cleaning processes. Precaution must be taken to change dirty water with fresh water because it could leave a film of dirt instead of removing it. Warm water dissolves soap more readily than cold water; hence it must be used to remove dirty soap leather.
water is of two types , hard water and soft water .soft water is best for cleaning .Hardness in water is caused by the presence of mineral salts- mostly calcium (Ca) and magnesium (mg), iron(Fe) and manganese(Mn).the mineral salts reach with soap to form an insoluble precipitate known as soap film or scum. The result is that the soap film does not rise away easily/it tends to remain behind and produces visible deposits on clothing making it stiff. It attaches to the insides of bathtubs and sinks.
Caution must be taken that water is soft as no detergent is effective with hard water .Moreover, hard water does not wet the surface well as a precondition for good cleaning action.
Fig: classification of cleaning agents
DETERGENTS
These are the cleaning agents that, when used in conjunction with water loosen and remove dirt and then hold it in suspension so that the dirt is not re-deposited on the cleaned surface. They can be of two types. Soapy detergents and synthetic detergents. The three basic properties of a good detergent are
Good wetting power- to lower the surface tension of water and enable the surface of the articles to be thoroughly wet.
Good emulsifying power – to break up the grease and enable the dirt to be loosened.
Good suspending power – to suspend the dirt in solution, thus preventing its re- deposition.
Readily dissolve in water
Cleanse quickly wit minimum agitation.
Be effective in all rabges of hard water, without producing scum.
Be effective over a wide range of temperatures.
Be harmless to the skin and surface to be cleaned.
Be easy to rinse away and be biodegerable.
THE CORRECT USE OF DETERGENTS.
Dilute as per the manufacturer’s recommendations, using the measuring scoops use the right detergent for the surface to be cleaned.
Use protective gloves when using strong detergents.
Dissolve the detergent thoroughly before use.
Rinse away all traces of detergent from the surface and any cleaning equipment employed.
Label detergent containers neatly.
Store detergent containers in a dry, well- ventilated storage area.
Wipe up any spilled detergent, as it may be a safety hazard.
ABRASIVES
These are substances or chemicals that depend on their rubbing or scratching action to clean dirt and dust from the hard surfaces. They are used to remove very stubborn stains on various surfaces.
TYPES OPF ABRASIVES
Fine Abrasives: these include precipitated whiting (filtered chalk) and jeweler’s rouge (a pink oxide of iron) used for shining silver. They are also constituents of commercial silver polishes.
Medium abrasives: these include rotten stone, salt, scouring powder and scouring paste. Scouring powders are made up of fine particles of pumice mixed with soap/ detergent, and alkali and a little bleach.
Hard / coarse abrasives: these include bath bricks, sandpaper, pumice, steel wool, and emery paper.
Glass paper, calcite, sandpaper, fine ash, emery powder and paper, jeweler’s rouge, powdered pumice, precipitated whiting (filtered chalk). Ground limestone, sand, steel wool and nylon scourers are some commonly used abrasives.
Abrasives are usually not used alone in cleaning agents. For example, a cream or paste meant for cleaning utensils contain about 80 % of finely ground limestone, along with other substances such as bleaches, anionic surfactants, alkaline builders, and perfumes.
REAGENTS: these bring about cleaning be a chemical reaction requiring a distinctly low or high pH.pH is a measurement of the level of acid or alkali in solution or substance. In the pH range of 0 to 14 a reading below 7 shows an acid and one above 7 shows an alkali
ACIDS: acids used as cleaning agents may vary from mild acids with a pH of 3 to strong acids with a pH of 1.mildly acidic substances used commonly  in cleaning include lime, vinegar , tamarind  and buttermilk. acids dissolves metal stains, such as water stains in bath tub, hard water around taps and tarnish o silver, copper and brass articles.
Acids may be used in solution alone or may be part of some special formulations as in toilet cleaners.
Housekeeping staff need to be trained in the safe handling of strong acids, as they are highly corrosive. They literally’eat away’ dirt.
Rubber gloves should be used while handling them. They should be used in very small quantities as they emit toxic fumes as well.
Strong acids should be thoroughly rinsed away after the cleaning process.
Some common acids are: Dilute HCL, Acetic acid, Concentrated HCL, Sodium acid sulphate.

Acids and their use in cleaning.

Types of disinfectants

Disinfectants can be categorized in terms of their chemical action and compositions

Phenols: these are hydroxyl derivatives of the aromatic hydrocarbon benzene. They are used in dilute or high concentrations to disinfect surfaces in hospitals especially .in hotels, diluted phenols are used with their sharp smell masked by other additives.

Halogens: the elements chlorine and iodine may be used as disinfectants .Chlorine is used both as bleach and as a disinfectant on many surfaces .Iodine is not often used to disinfectant surfaces because it tends to leave brown stains.

Quaternary ammonium compounds: these are cationic surfactants useful as bacteriocides.

Natural pine oils: pine oils are obtained from pine trees. They are germicidal to some extent, but are mainly added changing formulation for their pleasant smell.

Guidelines for using disinfectants:

1. clean the surface first with detergent and rinse with soft water only
2. rinse away the detergent solution thoroughly before using disinfectants on the surface
3. Use the correct disinfectant for the range of disinfection required.
4. Use the disinfectant at the correct dilution for it to be effective. Different surfaces may require different dilutions of the disinfectants to act.
5. Allow the recommended time for the disinfectant to act.

GLASS CLEANERS: these are composed of organic, water- miscible solvent such as isopropyl alcohol and an alkaline detergent. Some glass cleaners also contain a fine, mid abrasive. Most glass cleaners are available as sprays or liquid. They are sprayed directly onto windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces or applied on with a soft cloth and rubbed off using a soft, lint- free duster. A glass cloth ideal for the purpose .soft water to which some mathylated spirit or vinegar is added is an inexpensive glass cleaner that can be readily made in the housekeeping department.

DEODORIZERS: deodorizers aid in the cleaning process by concentrating stale odours and sometimes also introducing a fragrance to mask them. They are used in restrooms, guestrooms, guest bathrooms, cloakrooms and public areas such as lobbies. Some deodorizers leave no trace of a perfume cover- up. They are usually available as aerosol sprays. Liquids, powders and crystalline blocks. the crystalline blocks are effervescent and manufactured using the principle of time0 released aromatic chemicals.Naphthalene ball also serve as effective deodorize the crystalline blocks are effervescent and manufactured using the principle of time0 released aromatic chemicals.Naphthalene ball also serve as effective deodorizers. If through cleaning and good ventilation are provided, money need not to be spent on expensive deodorants.

LAUNDRY AIDS

Laundry ‘aids’ are the materials used to improve laundering results(bleaches, optical whiteners) or to accomplish specific functions or effects (soaks, stain removers, softeners, stiffeners. the important laundry agents or acids are water, laundry soaps and detergents , stiffening agents, bleaches, alkaline agents , acid agents, organic solvents, and absorbents.

TOILET CLEANERS

These are strong, concentrated cleaning agents designed to clean and disinfect WCs and urinals. They are available in liquid, powder and crystalline forms. They are acidic in nature as their main function is to remove stubborn stains and limescale.they all contains some form of disinfectant.

Liquid toilet cleaners: these contain dilute hydrochloric acid, bleach and pine oil. Adequate protective gear should be worn by the user while using such a toilet cleaner.

Crystalline toilet cleaners: these contain sodium acid sulphate, anionic surfactants, and pine oil.

Powdered toilet cleaners: these cleaners contain a soluble acidic powder, chlorinated bleach, a fine abrasive and an effervescing agent to help the active ingredient spread in water.

Whatever the from of toilet cleaner used, they should never be mixed with other cleaning agents since harmful gases may be produced in the resulting reaction.

POLISHES:

These chemicals produce a shine by providing a smooth surface from which light is reflected evenly. Polishes are primarily applied to a surface to form a hard, protective layer and thus guard against finger marks, stains and scratches. They also create attractive sheen on the hard surfaces.

CLASSIFICATION OF POLISHES

Polishes are used on metal, furniture and floorings and are classified according to the type of surface they are used on. On metals they also smooth out any unevenness on the surface of the articles and in case of flooring and furniture they provide a smooth protective layer.

METAL POLISHES: these remove the superficial tarnish that forms on metal surfaces due to the attack of certain compounds in the air and some foodstuffs. These polishes also eliminate May scratches on the metal. They consist mainly of a very fine, mildabrasive.in hotels; hard surfaces where metal polishes are used include door- plates and handles, foot rails in bars, staircase banisters, ashtrays, bathroom fittings, tableware and cutlery. In metal polishes such as Brasso, and Silvo, the grease solvent or acid mixed with the abrasive powder aids in the removal of tarnish.

Certain recommendations on the use pf metal polishes are given below:

1. Cover the surroundings area with newspaper or protective sheets.
2. Carry out any polishing work in a well- ventilated room.
3. Use an appropriate polish applicator or disposable rags.
4. Use a cocktail stick covered with a rag to apply polish in narrow, hard-to reach nooks and corners.
5. Remove polish with cotton or soft, dry cloth.
6. Buff the polish with rags and dusters.
7. Wash any polish cutlery in warm detergent solution before use.
8. Leave the area and equipment clean and tidy after polishing work is complete.
9. Dispose of the rags and newspaper used.

FURNITURE POLISHES: these contain a wax or resin, solvent water and a silicone. The main role of wax is to provide a smooth surface from which light is reflected evenly, producing an attractive shine the types of waxes commonly used are carnauba, beeswax, ozokerite, paraffin wax.

Types of furniture polishes:

Paste polishes: these are ideal for use on antique wooden furniture.

Cream polishes: they are used on furniture to give a gloss finish

Liquid polishes: they are used on glossy furniture to remove grease marks and other stains.

Spray – on polishes: they are ideal for use on non- porous surfaces such as glass, chromium, plastic, and varnished or gloss- painted wood.

Considerations for the use of furniture polishes are as listed below:

1. Apply the polish on a clean surface.
2. Use the least quantity required to accomplish a good polishing of the surface, else the solvent will evaporate and the polish will dry out.
3. Always keep the polish container closed when not in use, else the solvent will evaporate and the polish will dry out.
4. Use soft, disposable rags, for applying polish to the surface, except in the case of spray – on – polish.
5. Use polishes undiluted, unless it is specified otherwise by the manufacturer.
6. Be careful while using polishes with a high solvent content since they are flammable.

FLOOR POLISHES: these have a two- folded function. They not only lens an attractive sheen to the surface, but also provide a protective coat on it. The right kind of polish should be used along with the right equipment.

Types of floor polishes:

Spirit/ solvent- based polishes: these polishes are used on the porous floor such as wood, wood composition, cork, magnetite and linoleum.

Water-based polishes: theses polishes are used on semi- porous surfaces such as thermoplastics, PVC, rubber, asphalt, terrazzo, marble, and natural materials such as Cuddapah tiles and so on.

Considerations for the use of furniture polishes are as listed below:

1. Use an appropriate sign to warn people walking along that area of the fact that floor polishing is being carried out.
2. ventilate the area well  before  starting
3. Apply the polish to clean, dry floor.
4. Rinse the floor thoroughly using a neutralizing agent such as diluted vinegar after stripping the old polish.
5. Apply several thin coats of polish rather that a few thick coats.
6. Work systematically to ensure that all areas are covered.
7. Allow sufficient drying time before applying a second coating.
8. Buff thoroughly to reduce the slipping hazard.
9. Remove any extra build- up of polish with an appropriate abrasive pad.

10.  Leave all polishing equipment clean and store them properly.