‍How to clean a hotel room

Providing the best experience to guests is the top priority of any hotel. The best place to start in giving that positive experience is by ensuring their space is fresh, clean, and clear. While guests may not take notice of a well-cleaned room, they will undoubtedly notice a room that doesn't meet their standards. By properly, effectively, and thoroughly cleaning every hotel room, you can provide the best customer service before your guests even sign in at the front desk.

Read on for our step-by-step guide to properly cleaning hotel rooms, from using the right hotel bathroom supplies to the options for hotel toiletries you may want to consider:

Step one: air the room out

The circulation of fresh air can make a significant difference to how stuffy a room feels, so throw those windows open and bring the outside indoors. If there are any lingering smells, opening the window at the start can give them time to dissipate and lessen over time.

Step two: Remove linens and towels

Any soft furnishings, from towels to bedding, should be carefully stripped and removed in hotel laundry bags, ready for washing and sanitisation as soon as possible. Removing bedding gives duvets and pillows a chance to breathe, too, helping to remove any odour and bringing a fresh, new feeling back to the bedding. If necessary, pillows and duvets can be removed for cleaning too.

Step three: Carry out a spot-check

Before you bring out your hotel room supplies, a comprehensive spot check can give you an idea of what you're up against. Now is the time to report any damage, stains or problems from the previous guest if needed. If there are areas that require extra cleaning, knowing that up-front can help you gather everything necessary from your hotel supplier to do a thorough job.

Step four: Get rid of rubbish and used toiletries

Half-used shower gel bottles, tea bags from the complimentary welcome tray and any other kind of rubbish should be removed from the hotel room as soon as possible. Any toiletries that have been used, even if they have only been opened, should be disposed of for sanitary reasons. Don't forget to check the bathroom bin for additional rubbish, too.

Step five: Clear the surfaces

Removing all items from surfaces in the room, from kettles to information booklets, gives you a fresh and clear surface to work with. Once everything has been removed, you're better able to see any additional cleaning requirements and properly sanitise every surface in the room. You should do the same for any counter space, sink area or caddy in the bathroom, too.

Step six: Dust and hoover everywhere

Dusting and hoovering are the foundation of the hotel room clean and can quickly make a slightly tired space look fresh, clean, and new again. Make sure to hoover in every part of the room, including under the bed, to get all the dust up. Skirting boards and electrical items are dust magnets, so don't forget to give them the once over with a duster cloth.

Step seven: prep and clean the bathroom

Depending on whether you're going for a deep clean or not, you may need to let certain cleaning products, such as mould and mildew cleaner, sit in the bathroom for a while. Make sure you have proper ventilation throughout and that you properly clear up and rinse away all cleaning products to achieve that shiny, just-been-cleaned look. Pay attention to silicone seals, caddies, and any area where mould or dirt could be hiding.

Step eight: sanitise everything

Sanitisation is more of an essential part of the hotel clean than ever before. Using appropriate surface cleaner and disinfectant, ensure every part of the hotel room is sanitised correctly. High-use areas, such as light switches, door handles and TV remote controls, should be carefully and thoroughly sanitised. It's also essential to use separate supplies for each area to avoid cross-contamination.

Step nine: replace linens and towels

Once everything is sparkling clean, it's time to replace the bed linens and towels in the hotel room, ready for the next guest. Do a quick check of all bedding as you put it on to ensure there are no hairs or stains, and ensure towels are accessible and ready for use in the bathroom. In some cases, you may want to replace decorative pillows on sofas and beds for extra cleanliness.

Step ten: Replenish toiletries and consumables

Before the job is done, you'll need to make sure all of your hotel toiletries are fully replenished and in place for the next guest. If you provide toothpaste, shower gel and other bathroom essentials, you should ensure these are in place. Any tea and coffee facilities should also be fully stocked up, and the minibar should be filled if needed. Don't forget to replace any cups or glasses in the room with fresh, clean ones, too.

Step eleven: The finishing touches

Now all the cleaning is out of the way, all that's left to do is give the room one last check, close any windows and move on to the next. Straighten any crumpled bedding, ensure all towels are hanging straight and double-check for any dust or dirt around the room. If everything looks good, there's nothing else to do – and the room is ready and waiting for the next guest to enjoy.

As professional hotel suppliers, we stock everything you need for complete cleans to the highest standards. View our range of housekeeping and hotel cleaning products online today to ensure you're giving your guests the cleanest rooms possible.