Review of microfibre use at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney

It is now over 6 years since Maureen Jolowicz ran her initial trials on microfibre and started using this cleaning technology exclusively at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney. She has still maintained the overall system as when she first started with some modifications.

Housekeeping Room Attendants pick up their cleaning pack every morning at the start of their shift including a blue microfibre cloth for each room, 3 scourers with microfibre for the floors and shower tiles and their bucket with a water spray bottle and disinfectant for the toilet bowl.
Their cleaning routine incorporated in the sequence of service is to use 1 clean cloth to clean the bathroom glasses, then dust in the room, wipe down all bathroom surfaces finishing off with the toilet. 1 microfibre cloth per room.

There are also separate cleaning tools including the extendable wand for high surfaces and the fluffy duster for bedroom walls.
Maureen is only just now replacing some of the equipment. The clothes have lasted for up to 1 year. They are washed daily in 60 degree water with detergent, no bleach or softener.

Public Area staff also use the microfibre tools in their areas –

With an estimated saving of 1 million litres of water a year, there has been a reduction in use of chemicals and a reduction in housekeeping health and safety issues and over 95% saving on chemicals – it’s easy to see why this the natural choice for housekeeping cleaning in the future.

Words of advice from Maureen for those who want to put this system are:-
• Trial it thoroughly for a minimum of 3 months on 1 or 2 floors
• The staff from the trial floors will be your ambassadors for the system because they realise it is so much easier.

Key Performance Indicators

Water Usage

The system is fully utilised by the staff and monitored by the supervisors to ensure compliance. The conservative figure of saving 10litres of water per room cleaned is being realised. The microfibre cleaning system means there is no rinsing of surfaces with water, no steaming of showers or soaking of glassware or china. Calendar year 2012 with 132,492 rooms cleaned, over 1.3million litres of water has been saved. Water consumption has reduced in the property

Costs - 

Replacement microfibre cloths and hardware for 5 years April 2008 – April 2013 =  $14,319.20. Average  $ 2,863.84p.a. Please see attached. This cost is less than anticipated. The cost of individual items has reduced with improved technology and increased supply

Staff Satisfaction

Staff  continually praise the system for ease of use. New staff in particular find the system superior to the normal cleaning with chemicals

Workplace Health and Safety

Only 1 significant injury in 5 years