The festive season is a busy time for the hospitality and retail sectors in South Africa, with hotels, resorts, lodges, and B&Bs welcoming scores of holidaymakers. This surge in activity puts extra pressure on every part of a business, including cleaning. According to Jeffrey Madkins, marketing manager at Unilever Professional, businesses need to prepare their cleaning routines to keep up with the demands of the season.
Madkins emphasizes that the holiday season puts extra pressure on every part of a business, and cleaning is no exception. With rooms turning over faster, restaurants busier, and more customer traffic, maintaining the same cleaning standards at a quicker pace is a challenge. He suggests that a little preparation can make the demands of the season easier to manage. This includes tackling big cleaning jobs before occupancy and reservations increase.
Some cleaning tasks demand more time, equipment, or effort and fall outside an operation's everyday routine. These tasks include deep cleaning carpets, drapes, soft furnishings, mattresses, and upholstery, as well as grout, drains, and showerheads. For retailers, focus areas could include change rooms, stockrooms, restrooms, and displays. In professional kitchens, degreasing equipment and extraction areas, sanitizing drains, washing walls and ceilings, and descaling dishwashers might be on the list of priority tasks.
To strengthen their readiness, Madkins suggests that businesses ask four key questions. Firstly, do they have enough hands on deck? Reviewing expected occupancy, bookings, and traffic can help determine whether the usual team can handle the extra load. If not, temporary staff may be worth considering. Secondly, does their cleaning schedule need to change? Bathrooms, floors, and high-touch surfaces will need even more cleaning.
Madkins also recommends that businesses review their cleaning schedules and rotate cleaning staff duties to reduce fatigue. Revising work schedules and shifting less urgent tasks to quieter parts of the day can also help. Using smart equipment and products like Handy Andy Multi Purpose Cleaner and faster-acting disinfectants such as Domestos Professional Thick Bleach can save time and effort.
Clear roles and responsibilities are also crucial during busy shifts and handovers. Well-defined responsibilities can prevent missed tasks, and simple checklists can help keep everyone accountable. Quick spot checks can catch issues before they escalate. Additionally, businesses should ensure they have enough stock of essential cleaning products, allowing for heavier use and extra stock in case of delays or higher demand.
Cleanliness is a top priority for many guests, with Tripadvisor research finding that 57% of accommodation seekers look for cleanliness and hygiene information in reviews. One dirty bathroom or poorly serviced room can travel far and wide thanks to online reviews. Businesses that plan ahead are better positioned to maintain cleanliness, protect their reputation, and deliver the experience customers expect, even at their busiest.
Key points
- Businesses are urged to prepare their cleaning plans to maintain high standards during peak season.
- The festive season puts extra pressure on every part of a business, including cleaning.
- Clear roles and responsibilities, as well as adequate stock, are crucial for maintaining cleanliness during peak season.
