Guestroom cleaning is important to hotel appearance and guest satisfaction. Having a program that maximizes productivity so staff can do a great job in less time with less rework can make this redundant task less expensive and more effective. This leads to clean rooms, increased guest satisfaction, improved staff morale, maybe even an increased bottom line.

The guest bathroom can occupy much housekeeping time. Switching to a three-in-one product to replace the all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner and disinfecting cleaner can speed up cleaning. A high-performing disinfecting bathroom cleaner may be needed for tough soils to help deal with buildup of hard water, soap scum and body oils without a lot of elbow grease. Minimizing the number of products and steps can save time and money.

Another bathroom cleaning challenge is eliminating hair. Instead of spending time using brooms or towels that only move hair around, very effective dust removal products with specially designed, statically charged sheets can attract hairs and trap them for easy removal. This makes the job quick and less demanding while producing better results.

Next, the guestroom has a lot of surfaces that need attention. Using the same versatile three-in-one product from the bathroom is a great way to eliminate dust and soils, disinfect in one step and clean glass to a streak-free shine.

While the room might look clean, unwelcome odors can foul that impression. To maintain a fresh, clean scent, odor must be eliminated, not just covered up. A product with a technology that locks onto odor molecules and traps them for good, knocking out odors caused by smoke, mold and mildew, is a good choice.

Finally, making the beds and restocking towels and washcloths with fabrics that are clean and soft and smell fresh and clean, not like a commercial laundry, can enhance the desired image of cleanliness.

Using the right products is important to increasing productivity but it's not everything. Without employees trained in technique and proper usage, even the most powerful products can't deliver perfect results.

Craig Monsell is janitorial marketing manager and proposition development team leader within the P&G Professional division of the Procter & Gamble Company in Cincinnati. Call him at 513-983-3564 or e-mail monsell.cc@pg.com.