Hygiene and cleanliness are significant in many areas of businesses but are most pertinent in the hospitality industry. Although amenities and customer service are also important, hygiene and sanitation impacts customer experience and returns in ways that should not be neglected. In the hospitality industry, customer satisfaction can provide most hotels and restaurants with major competitive advantages. Thus, hotel management and cleaners need to have a clear understanding of this crucial factor that shapes a customer’s experience.
 

Studies have shown that unclean rooms have the greatest negative impact on customer satisfaction. 60% of guests checkout hotel reviews on sites like TripAdvisor before booking a room and a whopping 71% of guests only consider hotels with ‘above average’ cleanliness ratings. The cleanliness of guest rooms, bathrooms, bedsheets, towels and common areas, all play an important role in customer experience regardless of the property size, brand affiliation or location. Since guest rooms can harbour different types of germs and bacteria, it is critical that they are cleaned frequently to maintain a clean and odour-free environment. To keep hotel toilets fresh and protected against bacteria, it is important to clean the restrooms daily. The hotel lobbies and non-carpeted floors should also be cleaned regularly to prevent dirt and bacteria build-up on these visible and high-contact surfaces.

When performing cleaning tasks for your hotel, it is advisable to be properly geared with the right tools and appropriate cleaning products to ensure effectiveness.

Hygiene and sanitation are extremely important in the dining areas of your hotel too, to ensure cross-contamination and foodborne diseases are prevented. Many food poisoning cases have found to be associated with inadequate and ineffective sanitation. Regular cleaning and disinfection of all visible surfaces, especially surfaces that diners and kitchen staff frequently come into contact with, can help prevent germ and bacteria build-up. Dishes and other frequently used cooking utensils should be sanitised to get rid of germs, in order to prevent spreading of foodborne illnesses. However, maintaining the cleanliness of food preparation spaces and dining areas will not only enable customers to enjoy an excellent dining experience, but it could also enhance your brand identity.

Implementing a thorough cleaning process for your hotel may seem like a tedious task, however these efforts will go a long in adding value to your business through:

● Improved customer experience and satisfaction
● Decreased incidence of sick employees
● Reduced possibility of bacterial and viral infections among diners and staff
● Pleasant and clean work environment for employees that enhances productivity