Different Types of Containers, bins, and Trolleys used in Housekeeping

HousekeepingA department of the rooms division; responsible for cleaning the hotel's guest rooms and public area... is an integral part of maintaining cleanliness and orderliness in any establishment. To carry out this task efficiently, it is essential to have the right tools and equipment. One of the essential tools used in housekeeping is containers, bins, and trolleys. These items are used to hold and transport various items, including cleaning supplies, linens, and waste.

There are different types of containers, bins, and trolleys used in housekeeping, each designed to serve a specific purpose. For instance, laundry bins are used to hold and transport dirty linens, while waste bins are used to collect and dispose of trash. Additionally, trolleys are used to transport a variety of items needed for cleaning, such as cleaning supplies and tools.

The materials used to make these tools also vary. For instance, some bins and trolleys are made of plastic, while others are made of metal. The choice of material depends on the intended use, durability, and ease of cleaning.

In conclusion, containers, bins, and trolleys are essential tools in housekeeping. They are designed to make the task of cleaning and maintaining an establishment more efficient and effective. With the right tools and equipment, housekeeping can be done with ease and precision.

For smooth day-to-day operations housekeeping staff should be given appropriate containers, bins, and trolleys to carry, transport, and collect different items.

Below is a list of such items required for efficient and easier housekeeping jobs.

Regular Buckets:

Normally made out of plastic or galvanized iron. Being lighter in weight, quieter to use, and easier to clean plastic buckets are widely popular and commonly used in housekeeping.

Another variety of buckets has two sections one for rinsing and another attached with a wringer device, It is important that the wringer device can be detached for easy cleaning and maintenance.

TwinA guest room with two twin beds. buckets:

Twin buckets are placed on a low trolley which is fitted with brushes to rinse more effectively each time. Larger buckets should have castor wheels and these wheels must be kept free of hair, fluff, and dust.

Buckets should be thoroughly washed after each use, while washing them wash them inside out then allow them to dry before storing them in the appropriate place.

DustDust: To sprinkle lightly with flour; sugar or other substance. pan:

These are used along with a broom or brush for gathering dust. They are normally made of either plastic or metal, being durable and less expensive plastic dust pans are the usual choice these days.

Dust pans with long handles that eliminate stooping are ideal choices. So that the dustpans are effective, the edge in contact with the floor must be thin, sharp, and flat. 

Always empty the dustpans after each use and wash and dry them as and when required. While storing make sure that they are not resting on their flat edge, as it will wear out and warp so that the pan becomes inefficient.

The Ideal way to store dustpans is by suspending them from a hook or lying horizontally, sideways.

Different types of Dustbins :

Dustbins for guestrooms: 

These bins may be made of plastic or wood. Some properties also use jute or wicker bins. Individual dustbins in guestrooms may be lined with a disposable inner lining made of recycled paper or plastic.

GuestroomGuestroom is numbered room in a hotel provided specifically for occupancy by one or more regular or ... waste bins must be emptied and wiped daily. They must be washed and dried as and when required normally once a week.

Dustbins for service rooms or floor pantry:

These are used to collect waste from guestrooms, brought in by the room attendants’ carts. The carts contain a sack called the trash bag for guestroom trash.

The floor pantry should have 2 types of bins, A metal bin for disposing of ash from guestroom ashtrays and a plastic or thick paper bin for other types of trash. 

Dustbins for public areas :

These bins may have a creative design since they are constantly on view. They should be emptied daily and kept neat & clean from outside all the time.

Types of Dustbins for waste-collection areas:

These are usually located outside the main building and are hidden from view. These bins should be kept covered and emptied at least every alternate day.

Sani-bins:

These are metal or plastic bins with lids. They are found in toilets for the collection of soiled sanitary pads/napkins. They should be lined with plastic or paper bags for easy cleaning. The bins must be emptied and wiped daily for hygienic reasons.

Disposable paper bags (sani-bags) should be provided in the guests’ toilets for wrapping sanitary pads, before disposing in the sanitary bins.

Spray bottles:

These are lightweight containers that deliver a fine mist or cleaning solution through a fine nozzle, particularly used for spray cleaning. It is essential that the nozzle is properly adjusted and free from any blockage.

The nozzle must be kept clean, by spraying clean, pure water through it after every use.

Mop-wringer trolley:

This piece of equipment consists of a mop and one or twin buckets with an attached wringer all mounted on a trolley with wheels. It may have a provision for holding a cleaning agent as well as a trash bag.

Linen trolley:

These are used for the transfer of clean linen from the laundry to the linen room or from the linen room to the floor pantries.

Hand caddies:

Also called ‘cleaners’ boxes’, these were originally made of wood or metal but are nowadays usually made of plastic. They consist of a box with a handle and fitted tray.

They are used by room attendants for carrying cleaning supplies from room to room for guestroom cleaning. After each shift, they must be cleaned and topped up with replacement supplies for use in the next shift.

Carts and trolleys:

These are more useful than hand caddies when a large amount of supplies and items are to be carted or replaced. They are ideal for the efficient removal and carriage of smaller pieces of cleaning equipment, cleaning agents, linen, and rubbish.

Such carts and trolleys eliminate the time wasted in assembling equipment at the work location or moving them from one place to another.

Maid’s cart / Room attendant’s cart:

A maid’s card is one of the most important equipment used by the housekeeping room attendants for their daily cleaning activities.

Also called a room attendant’s trolley, maid’s cart, or chambermaid’s trolley, this is perhaps the most significant piece of equipment in the housekeeping department. It is like a giant toolbox; stocked with everything necessary to service a guestroom effectively. Note: Trolley and Maids carts Setting.

These carts are made of metal or wooden frames with multiple wooden partitions and shelves. The cart should be spacious enough to carry all the supplies needed for a Room Attendants to complete half a day’s room assignments.

Since the cart is large and may be heavily loaded, it must be easily maneuverable and fitted with wheels at one end and castor-wheels at the other. The cart should be well organized so that the HK staff do not have to waste time searching for supplies or make frequent trips back to the supply room.