Unit 10 Vocabulary — Housekeeping

Noun (thing)
Bedding
sheets, blankets, etc. used on a bed
The hotel changes the bedding every two days for guests who are staying more than two nights.
Noun (thing)
Cart
a four-wheeled trolley, or wheeled platform, used for carrying heavy or bulky items such as fresh linens or baggage
Each floor has a storage cupboard for storing all cleaning products and the carts.
Noun (thing)
Check-list
a document which gives information on all activities which need to be done together with the date
According to the check-list, you should remove and wash the curtains once a week.
Noun (thing)
Cleanliness
the state of being clean or the act of cleaning things
All rooms are kept to the highest level of cleanliness.
Verb (infinitive)
Deep clean
a thorough and full cleaning, not done every day
During the deep cleaning of the room, the carpets were washed, the walls painted and the bedding dry cleaned.
Noun (thing)
Deodorizer
a chemical or natural preparation used to remove or hide bad smells
The hotel uses different smelling deodorizer depending on the time of year — in spring they use a flowery smell, in winter they use the smell of cinnamon.
Adjective
Disposable
intended to be used one time and then thrown away
The spa area uses disposable slippers so the guests can take them if they want.
Verb (infinitive)
Dust
to remove small particles of skin and dirt from something
You must remember to dust behind the TV.
Adjective
Filthy
very dirty
The suite which the band's lead singer was staying in was filthy when he checked out.
Adjective
Hazardous
dangerous to ones health, either by contact with skin or by breathing in fumes
The safety training showed the staff how to work safely with hazardous cleaning products.
Verb (present tense)
Laundry
the action of washing dirty clothes, sheets etc.
The hotel offers a complimentary laundry service for guests who would like their clothes washed.
Proper noun (thing)
Linens
a general term used to describe sheets, towels, tablecloths, and cloth napkins
The dirty linens are collected at 3pm each day and are taken away for washing.
Verb (infinitive)
Polish
rubbing something in order to make it clean and shiny
It takes quite a long time to polish all of the metal fixtures in the bathroom.
Verb (infinitive)
Replenish
to replace something which was used with a new one
While cleaning the room, the house-keeper will replenish all toiletries which have been used.
Verb (infinitive)
Report
to make someone aware of something either in writing or by speech
Any breakages in the room must be reported immediately by the house-keeper who cleans the room.
Verb (infinitive)
Sanitize
to make something completely clean and free from bacteria
Special chemical cleaners are used to sanitize the bathrooms in all guest rooms.
Verb (infinitive)
Schedule
to set a time or date for something to happen
The room is scheduled to be repainted at the beginning of July so no reservations are being accepted for that period.
Verb (infinitive)
Scrub
to clean something by rubbing it hard with a brush
The tiles in the shower were so dirty that she spent 20 minutes scrubbing them with bleach.
Noun (thing)
Supplies
the food, equipment, things which are needed for a particular activity
Each week the head-housekeeper checks which products were used and orders supplies for the following week.
Proper noun (thing)
Turndown
refreshing the room in the evening time, while the guests are dining, and typically involving: preparing the bed (if needed), turning on the lamps, closing the curtains, and leaving a little candy mint on the pillow.
Housekeepers need to be careful not to disturb guests' possessions during the turndown service.