Celebrate International Housekeeping and Environmental Services Week 2025

Held annually during the second full week of September, Environmental Services Week (EVSW)/International Housekeepers Week (IHW) is a time set aside to recognize the efforts globally of hard-working members of all housekeeping and environmental services staff. This year, the week runs from Sunday, Sept. 14, through Saturday, Sept. 20.

The Indoor Environmental Healthcare and Hospitality Association (IEHA) is the official sponsor of EVSW/IHW since its founding in 1981. IEHA is a 1,300-plus member professional association devoted to helping facility managers at hospitals, hotels, and schools maintain cleaner, safer, and healthier buildings. According to IEHA, the week is celebrated in thousands of facilities worldwide.

The week offers the perfect opportunity for facilitators to show their gratitude for the efforts of their environmental services (EVS) workers, housekeepers, and custodians. IEHA suggests these ideas to help make the week a success at your facility:

• Extend heartfelt thanks to each cleaning team member individually, acknowledging their diligent efforts.
• Create a display in your workplace where colleagues can leave messages of thanks, fostering a sense of community.
• Organize a casual gathering, luncheon, or other event to honor your cleaners, emphasizing their role in your team’s success.
• Post your appreciation on your company’s social media channels.
• Sign up your team to compete in the 2025 Housekeeping Olympics, taking place on Nov. 10 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

To learn more about International Housekeeping and Environmental Services Week, visit IEHA’s website.

In regard to EVS in healthcare, check out the Association for the Health Care Environment’s EVSW/IHW 2025 celebration.