Use & Maintenance of Cleaning Materials, Tools, & Equipment

• Household Services

  • refer to the effective administration of household affairs, resulting in a clean residential dwelling that maintains its high standards of cleanliness and upkeep at completion.
  • It is also known as house cleaning or housekeeping
  • It involves general house cleaning such as window cleaning, rearranging furniture, cleaning dishes, maintaining lawns, bringing out the trash, and repairing domestic equipment, among others
• Domestic Housekeeping

  • housekeeping upkeep in the home
  • This includes the kitchen, bedrooms, dining room, lawns, and spaces around the home
• Institutional Housekeeping

  • housekeeping upkeep for institutions such as hotels, resorts, and residences is called institutional housekeeping.
  • It includes guest rooms, halls and corridors, offices, stairwells, lawns and plants, public areas, and eateries
• Cleaning Tools

  •  They are portable gadgets in various colors, materials, mechanics, forms, sizes, and styles to help you clean easily, effectively, and efficiently.
  • They are essential for cleaning and completing tasks.
• Cleaning Tools

  • Dusters
  • Dustpan
  • Mop
  • Broom
  • Brushes
  • Buckets or pails
  • Sponge
  • Garbage bins
  • Caddy basket
  • Squeegee
  • Spray bottles
• Cleaning Supplies or Materials


  refer to consumable items used in cleaning
• Cleaning Supplies or Materials

  • Liquid detergent
  • Water
  • Cleaning detergent
  • Gloves
  • Paper towel
  • Scrubbing foam
• Cleaning Equipment


  refers to any of a wide range of cleaning devices
• Cleaning Equipment

  • Floor scrubber and polisher
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Upholstery steam cleaner
  • High-pressure washer
  • Carpet shampoo machine
• Among the cleaning tools described in the table, the vacuum cleaner, floor scrubber, and polisher are the most used by a room attendant in cleaning.
• Broom

  • It is used to sweep the floor.
  • It has a long handle which helps you reach dust from out-of-the-way places, especially the spaces that are hard to access with a vacuum cleaner like underneath the table and bed.
• Dustpan

  • This is a shovel-shaped pan used for sweeping.
  • This tool is used together with the broom to collect the dust or dirt, then transfer to the bin.
• Squeegee

  • This is used for cleaning windows.
  • This tool can also be used in wiping down the tiled walls of a bathroom to keep mold and mildew away for months.
• Duster 


  It is used to zap dirt and dust from delicate surfaces quickly.
• Mop and bucket


  are used to keep floors free of stains and the fine, abrasive grit that damages floors
• Sprayer 


  is used in applying chemicals on surfaces.
• Ladder 


  is needed in dusting high ceilings and cleaning windows.
• Trolley 


  helps the housekeeper in moving laundry or heavy waste bags
• Vacuum Cleaner


  This is a go-to tool for cleaning carpets, bare floors, upholstery, furniture, and other spaces that need to be cleaned immediately.
• Wet extractor

  • It is used to rinse and suck water from the surface simultaneously.
  • The extractor sprays water and detergent onto the surface and then uses suction to extract the water into tanks built into the wet extractor.
  • This equipment deals with floods and heavy leaks.
• Rotary floor machine


  It has several uses such as to shampoo, polish, and scrub. By changing its attachment, this can be useful for both carpets and marble floors.
• Manufacturers of Rotary Floor Machines provide a variety of accessories:

  • pads
  • mechanical scrubbers
• pads


  stripping, scrubbing, polishing, burnishing, and spray cleaning
• mechanical scrubbers


  for large uncarpeted floors after they are washed with water and detergent
• Cleaning cloth

  • is very basic in any cleaning activity.
  • This can be used wet or dry to grab dust, dirt, and grease from surfaces
• Scrubbers 


  are used to remove tough, stuck-on soils on the surfaces
• Paper towel


  is useful for soaking up spills, for lining refrigerator bins and pantry shelves to absorb drips
• Rubber gloves


  are used to protect the hands while cleaning and doing the dishes
• Cleaning Agents


  These are used to assist in the removal of soil or dirt
• Sponges are made up of natural fibers such as cotton, wool, or synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, or rayon.
• When using the cleaners one should remember to:

  •  Use the right chemical for the right job
  • Always read the label before using the cleaning agent
  • Follow the instructions specify in the label
  • Use the correct amount
  • Apply in the correct manner
  • Use it safely and with care
• Cleaning Agent

  • detergents
  • disinfectants and bleaches
  • deodorizer
  • floor sealers
  • glass cleaner
  • polisher
  • toilet cleaner
• Housekeeping Hacks

  1. Lemons or limes can be used to clean the garbage disposal
  2. Shaving cream can be used to remove water stains
  3. Baking soda and vinegar will effectively clean the tub
  4. Using rubber gloves, remove pet hair
• Lemons or limes can be used to clean the garbage disposal

  Cut the citrus fruit into quarters and place the pieces one at a time into the garbage disposal while the water runs
• Shaving cream can be used to remove water stains


  Allow the shaving cream to sit on the stained surface for fifteen minutes before wiping it away.
• Baking soda and vinegar will effectively clean the tub.

  • Pour one cup of vinegar, half a cup of baking soda, and hot water into an empty tub.
  • Let it sit for five minutes.
  • Then, fill the tub with hot water until it is about one-quarter full, and let it sit for another five minutes. Then, open the drain and thoroughly rinse.
• Using rubber gloves, remove pet hair


  Put on a glove and rub down any areas that require extra cleaning. When rubber is pressed against the fabric, it generates elasticity, which can be used to collect any remaining pet hair. Rinse the gloves under running water when you are done to remove the hair.
• Maintenance of the Tools and Equipment

  • For vacuum cleaner, dust bag should be replaced when it is three-quarters full. If the model of the vacuum does not have a bag, you have to empty the dust cup after every two to three uses. 
  • Regularly check hoses for perforation and leaks. After every use, the equipment must be rinsed properly. 
  • Always check the electrical cords for frayed insulation and naked wire.
  • To avoid electrocution and short circuits, you must avoid inserting bare wire into sockets.  
• Maintenance of the Tools and Equipment

  • Remove large objects from the floor as they could damage the suction process. 
  • Remove small objects like pins and needles with a broom and dustpan before vacuum cleaning the carpets because these items can puncture the dust bag of the vacuum cleaner.
• Storage Tips of the Equipment

  • Store equipment in dry and ventilated areas because dampness causes rust and mildew that degenerates the equipment. 
  • Provide enough space for easy access to the equipment.
  • Secure the equipment by locking the storage area to avoid losing them.
  • Keep the storage area accessible for the personnel to prevent delay in cleaning.
  • Always keep clean and dry the trolleys before storing them.