15 Basic Skills You Need to Be a Good Housekeeper

Few careers require as much flexibility and versatility as housekeeping. From motels and hospitals to businesses and homes, housekeepers are hired to keep everything in clean, tip-top shape.[1] Interested in giving this career path a try? We’ve got you covered. Scroll through this handy list to see how you can be the best possible housekeeper that you can be.

Method 1
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Organization

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    Being organized is an essential skill for a housekeeper. You’ll have to keep track of numerous jobs and tasks, and keep all of your equipment and supplies organized.[2] Overall, good organization will help you do the very best job that you possibly can.
    • At a hotel, you’ll need to double-check your housekeeping cart to make sure you have the right supplies.
    • Always do a full, 360-degree when you enter a room. This helps you pinpoint and organize your top cleaning priorities in that space.[3]
    • Practice splitting up big tasks into smaller, more manageable goals—this can be a really handy way to stay organized when you’re on the job.

Method 2
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Time management

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    You’ll have to juggle multiple tasks at once. Depending on the position, you might be expected to clean multiple rooms and spaces in a set amount of time. A good housekeeper can make the most of their shift by being as efficient as possible.[4]
    • Get in the habit of planning ahead before each workday. When you wake up, jot down the most important tasks you’ll need to finish while you’re at work.[5]
    • Being a perfectionist can make it really tough to finish tasks efficiently. Try to focus on doing your best instead of being 100% perfect.

Method 3
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Self-discipline

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    Housekeeping can involve some pretty tedious, unpleasant tasks. As a housekeeper, you’ll have to persevere day after day, performing each duty to the best of your ability. You likely won’t be supervised 24/7, so you’ll have to go out and do your best even when no one’s watching.[6]
    • Boost your self-discipline by keeping all of your devices out of sight. If your phone is stashed away somewhere, you won’t be tempted to check your texts, emails, and socials when you’re on the clock.[7]
    • Try to eat a consistent, healthy diet, too! Heading to work hungry can make it harder for you to stay focused and disciplined.

Method 4
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Thoroughness

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    Thoroughness helps you stand out when you’re on the job. As a housekeeper, you’ll be wearing many hats—you might be polishing the floors one moment and changing bedding the next. Whatever the task, you’ll have to go the extra mile to make sure everything is as clean and tidy as it can possibly be.[8]
    • For instance, you’d want to smooth out any wrinkles after making a bed, or dust behind picture frames while you’re cleaning off a fireplace mantel.

Method 5
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Trustworthiness

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    Trustworthiness can be a big factor if you’re working at a hotel or motel. You’ll learn plenty of private information about your customers, which you’ll have to keep under wraps.[9] In any job, your employer will be trusting you to clean an entire building or residence with integrity and honesty.
    • For instance, you might pass by a lot of valuable items when you’re on the clock, such as money, jewelry, and other expensive accessories.

Method 6
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Careful listening

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    A lot of information can get thrown at you when you’re a housekeeper. You’ll need to listen actively and closely when your client tells you what they’d like you to complete that day. If something doesn’t make sense, you’ll have to feel comfortable enough to ask some follow-up questions about your workload.[10]
    • For example, your supervisor might ask you to prioritize cleaning a certain room at the hospital.

Method 7
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Interpersonal communication

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    Housekeepers have to play well with others. Depending on the scope or size of your job, you might be working with other housekeepers. Do your best to be friendly, polite, and accommodating to everyone around you, especially if you work at a business.[11]
    • Interpersonal skills are important for any housekeeping job, even if you only work for a single household.

Method 8
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Physical flexibility and strength

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    Housekeeping can involve a lot of heavy lifting. You might have to rearrange pieces of furniture while you clean a room, or drag around heavy pieces of equipment from space to space. Other cleaning duties involve plenty of stretching and bending, so it may help to be in pretty good shape.[12]
    • You’ll need to stand on your tip-toes as you dust hard-to-reach places and bend over to sweep up messes with a broom and dustpan.
    • Some job positions might have physical strength requirements, like being able to lift at least 10 to 25 lb (4.5 to 11.3 kg).[13]

Method 9
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Sweeping and mopping

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    Cleaning floors is the bread and butter of housekeeping. No matter where you work, your workload will probably include some variation of sweeping and mopping. Some clients may even ask you to wax and polish the floors, too.[14]
    • A hospital might ask you to sweep and mop the floors every day, while an at-home client might ask you to polish their hardwood floors.

Method 10
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Dusting

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    You’ll need to keep every surface looking spick-and-span. From homes and hospitals to office buildings and hotels, you’ll be running into plenty of dust on a day-to-day basis. As a housekeeper, you’ll need to clean off any dust from each and every surface and piece of furniture. You might even be asked to do some polishing once you’re done cleaning it off.[15]
    • For instance, you might be asked to dust off all the furniture in a motel room before another guest stays there.

Method 11
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Trash management

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    Taking out the trash is a less glamorous but necessary part of housekeeping. As a housekeeper, you’ll need to dump smaller waste baskets into a large garbage bag or can. From there, you’ll need to take out the trash—this might mean bringing it out to the client’s curb or driving it to a larger disposal site.[16]

Method 12
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Changing bedding

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    As a housekeeper, you’ll be in charge of someone’s living space. Whether it’s a bedroom, hospital bed, or hotel room, you’ll need to feel comfortable stripping off the old bedding and replacing it with fresh, clean sheets and blankets. Then, you’ll need to remake the bed and smooth everything out so it looks nice and cozy.[17]
    • You might have to replace linens in the bathroom, too.

Method 13
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Laundry

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    Housekeepers are in charge of washing a client’s clothes and bedding. With this in mind, you’ll need to know the ins and outs of basic laundry care before applying for this type of job.[18] Study the laundry essentials, like sorting garments, reading fabric care symbols, and choosing the best settings on a washer and dryer.[19]
    • Get in the habit of doing laundry with cold water, which is better for a client’s clothing and the environment.[20]
    • You might want to brush up on basic stain-fighting techniques, like applying a pre-treatment product to a stain before washing it. Refresh your memory by checking out this stain-fighting master list: https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/stain-removal-guide

Method 14
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Equipment know-how

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    Housekeepers use a variety of different home and cleaning equipment. Depending on the job, you’ll have to feel comfortable using different types of laundry equipment, like washers, dryers, and irons. Other cleaning tasks might require vacuums, floor polishers, carpet cleaners, and more.[21]
    • Your technical know-how doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker! Some employers might be willing to give you a run-through for different types of equipment.

Method 15
Method 15 of 15:
Strong stomach

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    Housekeeping can be pretty icky at times. If you work at a hospital, you’ll probably need to clean up blood, vomit, and other bodily fluids as needed. A strong stomach is a must for tackling these types of tasks.[22]

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes372012.htm
  2. ↑ https://www.asean.org/wp-content/uploads/images/2013/economic/matm/Toolboxes%20for%20Six%20Tourism%20Labour%20Divisions/Specific%20Competencies/Housekeeping%20Division/Clean%20and%20prepare%20rooms%20for%20incoming%20guests/TM_Clean_&_prepare_rooms_for_incoming_guests_270812.pdf
  3. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/how-to-get-organized-at-home/?slide=slide_1e825ca8-9935-4774-afa9-76cfd08e3d36#slide_1e825ca8-9935-4774-afa9-76cfd08e3d36
  4. ↑ https://www.myrgh.org/documents/housekeeper.pdf
  5. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnrampton/2018/05/01/manipulate-time-with-these-powerful-20-time-management-tips/?sh=6ca81b5957ab
  6. ↑ https://www.myrgh.org/documents/housekeeper.pdf
  7. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2014/06/18/5-proven-methods-for-gaining-self-discipline/?sh=588aeb793c9f
  8. ↑ https://fortworden.org/cms_docs/Housekeeping%20Lead.pdf
  9. ↑ https://fortworden.org/cms_docs/Housekeeping%20Lead.pdf
  1. ↑ https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/OccGuides/detail.aspx?Soccode=372012&Geography=0601000000
  2. ↑ https://www.silverwesthotels.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Executive-Housekeeper-Job-Description.pdf
  3. ↑ https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/OccGuides/detail.aspx?Soccode=372012&Geography=0601000000
  4. ↑ https://fortworden.org/cms_docs/Housekeeping%20Lead.pdf
  5. ↑ https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/OccGuides/detail.aspx?Soccode=372012&Geography=0601000000
  6. ↑ https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/OccGuides/detail.aspx?Soccode=372012&Geography=0601000000
  7. ↑ https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/OccGuides/detail.aspx?Soccode=372012&Geography=0601000000
  8. ↑ https://www.asean.org/wp-content/uploads/images/2013/economic/matm/Toolboxes%20for%20Six%20Tourism%20Labour%20Divisions/Specific%20Competencies/Housekeeping%20Division/Clean%20and%20prepare%20rooms%20for%20incoming%20guests/TM_Clean_&_prepare_rooms_for_incoming_guests_270812.pdf
  9. ↑ https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/OccGuides/detail.aspx?Soccode=372012&Geography=0601000000
  10. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/laundry-basics
  11. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/tips-checklists/cold-water-laundry/
  12. ↑ https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/OccGuides/detail.aspx?Soccode=372012&Geography=0601000000
  13. ↑ https://www.myrgh.org/documents/housekeeper.pdf

About This Article

Janice Tieperman
Co-authored by:
Janice Tieperman
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Janice is a professional and creative writer who has worked at wikiHow since 2019. With both a B.A. and M.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University, she has a passion for writing a wide variety of content for anyone and everyone. In her free time, you can find her working on a new crochet pattern, listening to true crime podcasts, or tackling a new creative writing project. This article has been viewed 2,289 times.
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Co-authors: 4
Updated: November 3, 2021
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Categories: Work World