Monthly Archives: September 2014
Stone and tile care: the cost implications of getting it wrong

Acidic glass cleaner has been used to clean the shower door, but the marble shower floor hasn’t been protected from the run-off chemical which has caused substantial damage.
This article was written by Gary Phillips – MD of Slique, Australasia’s stone and tile care experts.
Tiled surfaces – and particularly those using prestigious natural stone – are some of the most expensive surfaces that cleaning staff will be required to maintain. There are inherent risks with any surface, but the risks are magnified when the surface is highly sensitive to incorrect care, and extremely expensive to repair or replace should it be damaged.
In this article we look at some of the damage that is often caused by cleaners, and the cost implications for each scenario. It should provide excellent motivation to avoid these situations!
The Power of Steam
In the accommodation industry, presentation is paramount. First impressions are everything and guests are quick to make judgements about the cleanliness of their accommodation.
But appearances can be deceptive. Some cleaning methods are only ‘skin deep’ and what you see is not necessarily what you get.
The old mop and bucket days are well gone but many traditional methods of cleaning may provide the “presentation” but not the “cleanliness”. Straight vacuums, for example, merely produce a top surface clean rather than the necessary deep clean. Vacuuming only lightly picks up surface dirt, when the actual odour-causing grime, dirt and soil is deep down.
SEQPHA October breakfast at Sunfresh Linen
The next South East Queensland Professional Housekeepers Association breakfast will be held on Wednesday 8th October from 7.00am at Sunfresh Linen, 59 Ebbern Street, Darra, Queensland. Breakfast will be followed by a site tour. Complimentary to Housekeepers. Supplier members $25 and non members $35. RSVP to Melissa Bent. melissab@mbdesigns.com.au
South East Queensland housekeeping fraternity encouraged to learn and network
With a busy schedule of regular events, the South East Queensland Professional Housekeepers Association (SEQPHA) delivers an ongoing program of education and networking opportunities for executive housekeepers. Its most recent get together was a monthly breakfast held at The Point Hotel, Brisbane, with some 35 members and guests in attendance.
Tips to keep your housekeeping staff’s spirits high
Housekeeping staff have a direct impact on hotel cleanliness and guest satisfaction-an integral part of a hotel’s operation,” said Todd McKeown, Vice President Global Hospitality and Gaming, Cintas Corporation. “By investing time and energy in recognizing and rewarding these skilled individuals, it can revitalize your staff, while increasing productivity and building team work and retention.”
Cintas suggests the following tips to keep your housekeeping staff’s spirits high:
1) Ask for feedback – To maintain high job satisfaction and ensure each employee feels fulfilled, ask for feedback. Have a suggestion box and encourage an open-door policy to keep open communication with your staff.
Introduction to new L&A Auditor based in Bali Indonesia – Ms Margit Arnold
L&A are delighted to announce a new member of the team based in Bali Indonesia, Ms Margit Arnold.
Margit’s role as Auditor will be to assist L&A Associate Agnes Zlotek Petit in her duties under the Corporate Housekeeping banner for Swiss Belhotel International in Indonesia.
Margit was born in Germany and is a graduate of Speiser’s Hotel School in Tegernsee, Germany. She began her career in the hospitality industry in 1977 at Holiday Inn Eibsee near Garmisch-Partenkirchen. In 1978 she moved to Munich Hilton, which was to be the start of a 14-year career with Hilton International. Click Here To Read More
Don’t forget International Housekeeping Appreciation Week and this year it’s from 14 – 20 September 2014
Housekeeping Operational Review of the Observatory Port Macquarie
Liz was recently engaged by the owners of The Observatory Port Macquarie to undertake a 2 day Housekeeping operational review. The goal was to take a look at systems, procedures, staffing and indeed all aspects of the operation in order to see where improvements could be made. Liz spent time with the management and housekeeping teams to assess efficiency and effectiveness of everything from cleaning tools and equipment to sequence of service and the team itself.
SEQHA Breakfast at The Point in Brisbane
Liz attended recent breakfast for the South East Queensland Professional Housekeepers Association held on 2nd September at The Point in Brisbane. There was a great networking opportunity for Housekeepers and Suppliers from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Gavin Lysaght from the SEQPHA Committee greeted everyone and reminded all of the upcoming Housekeeping Appreciation Week from 8th – 14th September.
Housekeeping Management Consulting


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