Ed Quinlan

First impressions are everything, especially when checking into a hotel for the night. Stepping into a lobby that’s immaculately clean and tidy can reassure visitors of a comfortable stay. An unkempt space, on the other hand, may raise red flags as to potential health and safety hazards. A welcoming first impression not only sets the tone for guest satisfaction; it may even influence positive online reviews, word-of-mouth referrals, and return stays. Ensure those strong first impressions by keeping the hotel’s carpet as pristine as possible—not just in the lobby but throughout the building. With the high amount of foot traffic in hotels—to say nothing of daily spills—keeping carpets looking their best can be a challenge. With the right strategy, however, hotel managers and housekeepers can not only ensure the carpet conveys cleanliness and care, but also prevent the expense associated with premature carpet replacement. Keeping disruptions minimal Hotel maintenance teams know the importance of vacuuming daily and deep cleaning every couple of months. Due to the constant churn of guests, however, it can be challenging to accomplish these tasks without causing congestion in high-traffic areas, generating noise, or producing unwelcome smells. While guests will always be milling about during carpet care activities, a strategic approach to scheduling can help keep disruption to a minimum. Consider: Rotating through different cleaning zones, as opposed to tying up entire floors at once. Planning routine vacuuming for hours when hotel traffic tends to be sparse—for example, mid-to-late mornings, when most guests will either be at business events or sightseeing. Deep cleaning different room blocks in an alternating pattern, ensuring a sufficient number of rentable rooms during the cleaning process. Investigate deep-cleaning processes that result in quick-drying carpets, minimizing the time during which rooms are unrentable for cleaning. For example, low-moisture, high-extraction methods like hot carbonation will not require as much time for carpet to air out. Additional airflow also can expedite the drying process—consider open windows as well as strategically placed air movers and fans. Remember, even during carpeting cleaning, the hotel will still need to serve guests. Sync cleanings with staff scheduling, creating some overlap and ensuring housekeepers are on hand to deal with guest needs while their colleagues can focus on the carpet. Preserving carpets During routine carpet cleaning, hotels must aim for more than minimal disruption. It’s equally important to clean in a way that extends the lifespan of the carpet, minimizing the risk of premature wear and tear. A good starting point is to select the right carpet cleaning products. Anything too harsh may damage the carpet. Have your team start with natural ingredients and gentle cleaners, which are effective on more mundane or minor spills. For professional cleaning, ask about processes that don’t involve abrasive or toxic chemicals, which can degrade carpet fibers over time. No matter the kind of cleaning products you choose, ventilating the area properly is essential. When vacuuming, use equipment that can loosen and agitate any embedded dirt and debris, so it doesn’t set in and damage the carpet. HEPA-filter vacuum cleaners and twin-cylindrical brush machines are ideal for this purpose. Maintaining hospitality When hotels demonstrate a commitment to clean, fresh aesthetics—down to the last detail—it creates a strong first impression for guests, boosting their satisfaction and their likelihood to return and leave a positive review. Consistent carpet cleaning can deliver tangible results—for the facility, for guest satisfaction levels, and ultimately for the hotel’s overall success

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Ed Quinlan

President, Chem-Dry

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