Housekeeper Duties and Responsibilities
Housekeepers must perform diverse tasks in order to keep companies, residences, and other establishments clean.
Perform General Cleaning
Among the cleaning duties that a Housekeeper might be responsible for include vacuuming, dusting, and polishing. They would ensure that floors, furniture, office equipment, and windows are thoroughly cleaned and presentable to visitors, employees, and residents. Cleaning duties would also involve emptying trashcans and transporting trash to appropriate receptacles.
Stock Supplies
A Housekeeper might need to keep an inventory of cleaning supplies, such as detergents, floor wax and furniture polish, and ensure that these supplies are well stocked. They are responsible for replenishing supplies such as soap, toilet paper and paper towels in restrooms and, if applicable, hotel or hospital rooms.
Change Sheets and Linens
When working for hospitals, hotels, or nursing homes, in particular, a Housekeeper must remove linens and bedsheets and replace them with fresh ones. They would need to wash, dry, and fold these items. Within these establishments, a Housekeeper might need to replace sheets and linens per individual guest or patient request.
Housekeeper Skills
Strong organizational and customer service skills are important for Housekeepers. They should be detail-oriented and also, while working in teams is required at times, have the ability to work independently, with little or no supervision. They should also have the ability to perform pushing, lifting and carrying activities. Besides these general skills, many employers might look for Housekeeper candidates to possess the following skills.
Core skills:
- Using customer service skills when interacting with, guests and clients
- Replacing sheets and making beds
- Applying appropriate cleansers and disinfectants to furniture, floors, sinks, and windows
- Operating cleaning equipment, such as vacuum cleaners and carpet cleaners
- Quality management and control skills
- Ability to work in teams
