Unit Five Aning Equi , Unit Outline

CLEANING EQUIPMENT

OUTLINE

1 Material Handling Equipment

2 Manual Equipment

3 Mechanical Equipment

4 Selection of Equipment

Cleaning equipment

Good workmen always look after their tools, the aids that make their work easier. A tool is an aid that is used by hand, where as a 'machine' is a tool that works “mechanical” help. The only machine, which is issued to room maids, is a vacuum cleaner and ideally each maid should be issued with her own.

Material Handling Equipment

Cleaning Trolleys

Cleaners usual have to carry around a variety of cleaning agents, equipment and supplies, which are awkward to transport. By reducing the variety of items and standardizing cleaning agents, methods an guest supplies, the maid or cleaner will have less problems in carrying his or her equipment around and remembering which item to use on what surface.

Caddy

The box with a handle which is used by the chambermaid to carry her working tools, safety tools and chemical spray bottles into the room to clean it.

Manual Equipment

Carpet sweeper

These are hand-operated, requiring no electric power. They have one or two revolving brushes, which throw the dirt and dust into the box containing the brushed, the base of which is hinged for emptying. Some models have additional brushes, which loosen the dirt, which a central brush sweeps up. Others have circular brushes at the front comers, which sweep comers and edges of the carpet. They can be used on hard floors and have adjustable brushes which can be raised or lowered according to the floor surface.

Mop Sweeper or Dust Mop

These are made of cotton yarn hood and fitted on to a metal or plastic stock, with either a long or short handle. They are used with or without impregnation of a cleaning and sanitizing fluid. Dust mopping is also used instead of sweeping, because it reduces the amount of dust rising and then resettling. It is used in conjunction with a vacuum cleaner or on its own, before hard floor maintenance. When floors are buffed or spray cleaned it is advisable to pass a dry mop over the floor to collect any particles of dust or residual spray. Dust mops with regular cotton heads should have the facility whereby they can be removed from the mop itself, for cleaning or sterilizing.

Wet Mop.

Wet mops are made from long cotton yarn. Wet mops are available either with

1. Round heads, known as 'Dolly Mops'
2. Flat heads known as 'Fantail mops'.

Fantail mops with cotton yarns, which have been stitched together, are the better type of mop, as the yarn will not break away from the mop head so easily. Fantail mops are also more hygienic, as they can be removed from the mop for washing and sterilization.

Dolly mop heads cannot be removed for cleaning, so they are less effective as a cleaning tool. The dirt is pushed deeper and deeper into the head and can then be re-distributed over the floor. ,

Wet Mop Buckets

In order to mop a floor efficiently, the buckets of water must be changed as frequently as possible to prevent dirt from being re-applied. The dolly mop is usually supplied with a colander-type wringer. After mopping the floor, the mop is dipped into the bucket and then wrung out by pressing it down and round. This action squeezes all the dirt back into the head, so that the water is immediately dirty. There is a compartment types of bucket which divides the clean water from the dirty, but this type does not solve the problem of dirt remaining in the mop head.

If mops and buckets have to be used, then a double bucket is the best type to have. One bucket contains the clean water, while the other contains chemical solution and is fitted with a roller wringer or press wringer. This system forces the operator to change the water regularly, because the bucket containing clean water becomes empty, as the level of dirty water rises in the neighbouring bucket. Double buckets are usually supplied on trolleys, thus making the operator's work easier.

Squeegee Mops

Squeegee mops are generally used more on the domestic market than in large industrial establishments. A squeegee mop consists of a plastic foam head attached to a metal plate, which is hinged in the middle. When the lever on the handle is depressed, the hinge operates a squeezing action, forcing the water out of the sponge. When using this type of mop, especially in a hospital situation, care must be taken over selection of the sponge. Some plastic foam sponges have been found to be an ideal breeding place for bacteria, while others are known to de-activate disinfectants. Squeegee mops can also be used for washing down certain types of wall, including tiles.

Brushes And Brooms

Brushes have bristles of hair, fiber, nylon or wire secured into a wooden, polypropylene or metal stock. They can be secured by wire, glue or by a combination of both. Brushes gave long or short handles according to their purpose. It is advisable to buy a brush of good quality, which is indicated by the way the bristles are secured in the stock or head.

Cleaning Cloths

Every type of cleaning cloth presently in use consists of either textile or wool fibre. In many establishments rags such as written-off sheets or towels are used for cleaning. They are suitable for some jobs, but if they begin to disintegrate they leave behind lint on cleaned surfaces. Holes are dangerous as they can catch on knobs or handles.

Man-made or synthetic fibres are non-absorbent and less suitable. Imitation leather cloths are ideal for damp dusting. They must be thoroughly washed and left to dry after use. They can also be used in place of real chamois leather.

Dusters

Dusters may be purchased in a variety of colours, which is useful.for identifying dusters for use in different areas or for different purposes. They most traditional colour is yellow which is a very loose dye. Dusters function by using the effects of static electricity to attract dirt for surfaces.

Rubber Gloves

Many establishments supply cleaning staff with rubber gloves. They are easily marked with a name, and should be exchanged on an old for new basis. It is advisable to have in stock a variety of sizes, as the cleaner will be discouraged from using them if the wrong size is issued.

Mechanical Equipment

Vacuum cleaners

Upright vacuum cleaners

Upright vacuum cleaners are not suitable for modern floor covering or carpets that are stuck down to the floor or have a thick rubber backing. This is because of the design of this particular type of cleaner. Air is sucked into the head through the carpet and the beater bars dislodge the dust so that it can be sucked up into the bag. If the carpet is stuck down to the floor, then this principle cannot be applied, the carpet is not successfully cleaned and the vacuum cleaner wears out or is constantly in need of attention.

Cylinder Vacuum Cleaners

Disadvantages: -

1. Industrial designs must be bought, as the domestic variety is not made for the purpose of constant use.
2. The dust bags need frequent changing and this can prove to be expensive if they are not the reusable type.
3. They topple over easily, which can be very annoying for the operator.
4. Some hoses break very easily or are damaged by maids or room service trolleys running over them.

Advantages:-

.

1. They are very flexible and clean under any piece of furniture.
2. They can be used on hard as well as soft floors, because they have adjustable heads.
3. They always come supplied with a set of attachments so that they can be used to clean furniture, beds and soft furnishings.
4. Back Pack Models are also available for high dusting and the removal of cobwebs.

Central vacuuming system

This is built in the fabric of the building like a plumbing or central heating system. Usually in the basement there is a large motor and collection canister from which there are pipes leading to points all over the building to which different machines are connected. The dirt is carried along the pipes to the collection canister. The advantages of this system are that it is quiet in operation and a lighter appliance for the operator to use. The disposal of the dirt is made in one operation, instead of from individual machines, and the spread of bacteria is reduced. The apparatus used by the cleaner is simple and requires little maintenance.

The system does, however, have its disadvantage. It can only be installed during building, and this is expensive. If new wings are added at a later stage, and the system is. not fitted exactly, efficiency may deteriorate. Long lengths of hose are required to reach from the outlet points. This can be dangerous, as people may trip or trolleys run over them.

Heavy-duty vacuum cleaners

These are essential when dealing with industrial situations. In non-clinical areas such as banquet rooms, it is sometimes advantageous to buy the type of vacuum cleaner that simply has a large metal or plastic tank in which to collect the dust. .

These can be purchased in various sizes according to the requirements of the establishment. They can be used throughout the establishment, except of course where cross-contamination controls are in operation. Their main use is where there are floods or spillages, but they are useful in floor maintenance or even carpet cleaning, where they help to speed up the drying process.

Scrubbing Machines

These are a basic requirement when hard floors are installed in reasonably large areas. Most machines may be fitted with a variety of brush or pad, which are coloured or graded according to the type of job for which they are intended. Pads are by fat the cheapest method of this type of floor maintenance, but some people argue that brushes do a better job and last longer. If both are used with care and thoroughly washed out and dried after use, results can be perfect

High Speed Polishing Machines

These are only worth buying if there is a large area oi floor that needs regular buffing or polishing, as this is their only purpose. They are not as versatile as regular scrubbing machines but they are far quicker at doing the job for which they are intended. Apart from buffing floors or polishing it, high speed machines are most useful for spray cleaning. This method of cleaning a hard floor is both quick, easy and efficient, provided that the operator is well trained and a suitable product is used.

Backpack Vacuums

These are most useful in older buildings, where ceilings, curtains and ledges are high. Back pack vacuums, when used properly, are an efficient way to keeping dust levels at bay. This type of vacuum is also suitable for the cleaning of Grand Staircases of the hotel and the hard to reach high areas.

Pile brush machines

These are an aid to the shampooing of carpets, whichever method of carpet cleaning is used. Pile brush machines brush the pile back up to its original position in height but more important, to re renew deep set fluff, grit or dust so ensuring that the carpet enjoys a longer life.

Scrubber & Drier Machines

These are large, expensive and rather cumbersome. These machines should be bought only for large areas of hard floor. They do the job of a scrubbing machine and a wet vacuum both at the same time

The machine needs to be filled with a solution of detergent and then as it is drives the brushes in the front with detergent and the scrubbing begins. The squeegee attachment is fitted directly behind the brushes, so that as the machine moves forward, dirty water expelled by the brushes is sucked up into a container in the machine by means of a vacuum. Such machines have limited use, as they cannot be used for high speed polishing work.

Selection of Equipment.

When purchasing housekeeping equipment, it should be remembered that there are many products that will seem to fulfill a requirement but will fall short of lasting needs. The challenge is to find the right piece of equipment that is of a quality that will withstand continuous use with limited maintenance, and that will be the most cost effective in use of resources. Many products suppliers also act as equipment representatives. The one, which can be depended upon is an asset worth considering when purchasing equipment.

The things to consider are as follows:

1. Suitability of the equipment
2. Durability of the equipment
3. Budget
4. Frequency of use
5. Ease of use
6. Availability of spare parts
7. Service reliability
8. Warranty