Home Cleaning & Maintenance

Cleaning & Maintenance

From the housekeeping department, where green cleaning is considered and implemented, to engineering, where mechanical systems are maintained and fine-tuned, hotel operators have implemented innovative products and processes to save energy and minimize the impact on the environment. Got news or a story idea to share? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Home Cleaning & Maintenance
From the housekeeping department, where green cleaning is considered and implemented, to engineering, where mechanical systems are maintained and fine-tuned, hotel operators have implemented innovative products and processes to save energy and minimize the impact on the environment. Got news or a story idea to share? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Greening the Cleaning Supply RFP Process

Most hotel managers and sales departments are very familiar with requests for proposal and the RFP process. However, most of the RFPs they work with are from organizations that want to do business with the hotel. For instance, hold a meeting or conference at the property and asking what the charges would be. However, many green properties are not that experienced in writing their own RFPs, and for green hotel properties, an RFP is essential. This is because they are selecting cleaning supplies and products that are environmentally preferable. But first, let’s make sure we are all on the same page....

University of Melbourne Research: One in Four Americans Suffer Chemical Sensitivity

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—University of Melbourne research reveals that one in four Americans report chemical sensitivity, with nearly half this group medically diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), suffering health problems from exposure to common chemical products and pollutants such as insect spray, paint, cleaning supplies, fragrances and petrochemical fumes. The research was conducted by Anne Steinemann, Professor of Civil Engineering and Chair of Sustainable Cities from the University of Melbourne School of Engineering, and published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Professor Steinemann is an international expert on environmental pollutants, air quality, and health effects. Professor Steinemann found the prevalence of...

ChlorKing Upgrades NEXGEN On-site Chlorine Generators

NORCROSS, GA.—ChlorKing has reduced scheduled manual-cleaning requirements for its NEXGEN on-site chlorine generators with the introduction of five new models with self-cleaning capability. The upgraded NEXGENs automatically begin a cleaning cycle every three hours to remove calcium deposits from the electrically-charged plates that convert a mild saline solution to chlorine to sanitize swimming pools. The new models have daily chlorine-production capacities of 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 pounds, respectively. “This is a feature our customers have requested,” said Steve Pearce, Executive Vice President, ChlorKing. “Depending on their pool sizes and volume of use, many pool and waterpark operators need...

Renue Systems Celebrates 25 Years of Cleaning Excellence in Hospitality

LOMBARD, ILL.—It’s hard to imagine what would blossom from a young man teaching himself to clean restaurants and residences in suburban Chicago. From the inception of the company in 1993 as a general cleaning company named Appeal Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners, to present day as specialist Renue Systems, the company has experienced tremendous growth and plenty of learning experiences along the way. In 2010 Owner, President and CEO David Grossman came aboard, and with him came new services aligned with the evolving revitalization needs of hotels. “As a company focused exclusively on helping hotels maintain their appearance at a high level,...

Steps to Healthy Hotel Housekeeping & Related Business Success

The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) reports there are about 50,000 hotel properties in the United States, providing 5 million rooms, and creating 2 million jobs. In a recent year, guests spent $2.5 billion a day, $105.8 million per hour, $1.8 million per minute, and $29,398 a second. (1) In a competitive market, successful hotels strive to meet guest expectations; including providing a clean, healthy environment. In a survey of 1,495 American travelers conducted by research firm TNS (2), 86 percent cited cleanliness as very important when seeking a place to stay, and 80 percent would rather give up Internet...

Green Pool Makeovers—Cost Effective and Planet Positive

NATIONAL REPORT—For hotels in warmer climates, swimming pools are a must; and in colder climates, a surefire way to push up the star rating. However, pools are historically a bad choice for the environment, with Arizona State University finding that the average swimming pool emits 1400kg of CO2 every year. This throws up a challenge; how can you maintain a swimming pool, whilst helping mitigate climate change and preserving that all-important bottom line? The answer, as always, is technology. As innovators continue to push green technology despite outside pressure, the tools to maintain an eco-friendly pool are there and becoming more affordable every...

Argonaut Hotel Named San Francisco Green Business

SAN FRANCISCO—Argonaut Hotel, an award-winning boutique hotel on San Francisco’s waterfront, announced it has been named an SF Green Business by the San Francisco Department of the Environment, as a result of its year-long efforts to implement comprehensive eco-friendly initiatives at the hotel and its popular Blue Mermaid Restaurant & Bar. Located in the historic Haslett Warehouse in the heart of the San Francisco Maritime National Park, the Argonaut is one of the most iconic San Francisco hotels leading the charge on sustainable hospitality, to preserve and protect the building and its environment. Originally built as a 200,000 square foot...

PURE Rooms Welcomes Jill Dean Rigsbee as V.P., Business Development

BUFFALO, N.Y.—PURE Rooms has named Jill Dean Rigsbee as Vice President, Business Development. Rigsbee will be responsible for the leadership of the PURE sales and business development team, managing new business opportunities and customizing solutions to meet hotels’ needs and guest demands. Rigsbee is a well-known trusted advisor in the hospitality industry with over 30 years of experience. She began her career working in hotels with various management companies for over a decade. For six years, she focused on hotel room operation supplies, FF&E and innovative products with Guest Supply. Rigsbee joins PURE Rooms from Avendra, a leading hospitality procurement and services company,...

VivoAquatics Releases Report on Recreational Water Safety

LOS ANGELES—VivoAquatics, a leader in providing innovative and sustainable aquatic solutions, has just announced the publication of the first data driven assessment of water safety and management: “State of Market - Recreational Water Safety in Commercial Facilities”. The report, the result of analyzing over 7 million data points and surveying hundreds of commercial hotels, waterparks, apartment buildings, fitness clubs and municipalities is the first publication of its kind to provide detailed analysis of water safety and management practices in commercial properties. The State of the Market report also provides insights into emerging regulations, trends and technologies that properties are using...

A Laundry Game Changer—Recyclable, One-Time-Use Linens

It takes a lot for me to call a new product or process a game changer in our industry but the new recyclable—yes recyclable—sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers being produced by Pürlin, LLC are just that. Can you imagine reducing your laundry load and related costs by about 50 percent? Offering your guests linens that are high quality, hypoallergenic and that have never been used by any other guest—every single time a guest stays in that room? My article posted this past week explains these new products. I had a chance to sit down and chat with the lodging...