Four pillars for a well-kept building

For the hospitality and catering industry, regular, efficient cleaning operations are of critical, almost existential importance. This applies to outdoor and entrance areas just as much as it does to corridors, rooms and bathrooms in particular. A plan that is regularly implemented in conjunction with the correct machines and cleaning agents is critical for achieving excellent cleaning results.

The PDIR care cycle forms a good basis for this. When followed systematically, this cycle reduces the amount of time and effort spent on daily maintenance and ensures that the building’s value is retained. The abbreviation PDIR stands for the following
– Preventative
– Daily
– Interim
– Restorative

Although many hoteliers and restaurateurs are familiar with these four cleaning methods, they are not always aware of the benefits offered by the PDIR care cycle, which arise by implementing all four cleaning types in a coordinated, well-thoughtout manner. When used regularly, the PDIR system can reduce staff and material costs and save time.

Cleaning starts outside the building

Preventative cleaning is one of the key elements of the PDIR process. This concept starts with cleaning operations outside the hotel: thoroughly sweeping or washing open spaces can significantly reduce the amount of dirt brought into the building by guests. As well as the pavement and parts of the street directly in front of the entrance area, it is recommended to take parking spaces, other hotel entrances and public areas in front of delivery entrances, bars or restaurants into consideration. Areas outside the building such as terraces and balconies should not be overlooked either, particularly given that they collect a lot of dirt that can be carried into corridors, stairwells and guest rooms.

The concept of preventative cleaning pays off very quickly. Keeping exterior surfaces clean is much quicker and requires less work than cleaning the rooms themselves thanks to the fact that sweepers and high pressure cleaners can be used. The size of the sweeper and therefore the efficiency of the cleaning operations depend largely on the size of the surfaces to be cleaned:

— Walk-behind push sweepers with a dirt storage capacity of up to 30 l are suitable for cleaning smaller surfaces of up to 300 m² — Walk-behind vacuum sweepers with traction drive (petrol/diesel motor or battery-operated) fitted with a suction element and filter system are used for medium-sized surfaces of up to 1,000 m² — Ride-on vacuum sweepers with a large container capacity and hydraulic high container emptying are used for large-scale surfaces of 1,500 m² or higher

Aside from these options, cold water high-pressure cleaners are generally brought into operation if there are stubborn stains to be removed, e.g. moss, lichen, bird droppings, chewing gum or food residue. Care should be taken to ensure that enough water is available to easily loosen the dirt and transport it away from the area (600 l/h and higher). Hot water high-pressure cleaners are more adept at removing greasy stains. The cleaned surface also dries off much more quickly.

A dirt collection system tailored to the area in need of cleaning also falls under the umbrella of preventative cleaning. Mats should be distributed liberally in both the entrance and exit areas of a doorway, as people can use them to remove dirt from their shoes and thereby prevent it from being carried further into the building (at least four steps in length). Abrasive mats with bristles are recommended for outdoor use, as they can be used to clean all manner of shoes – even those with a deep tread. Indoor mats can have softer and finer bristles to remove the final traces of dirt and moisture. Soiled mats can also be regularly exchanged for clean ones or thoroughly cleaned themselves.

If any dirt does enter the building despite these measures, the spot cleaning method can be used. Stubborn or moist dirt can be quickly removed before it is brought into the building – even in areas subject to foot traffic – using a simple cordless electric broom or handheld mop. Use of preventative cleaning in outdoor areas varies according to weather conditions and the time of year and must therefore be adapted accordingly. It may be necessary to sweep the area several times a day, particularly in autumn and winter. However, the additional effort involved will ultimately pay off, as it will reduce the frequency with which the interior has to be cleaned. Not only that, but the condition of the exterior of the building makes a strong first impression on visitors.

Daily cleaning results in a tidy appearance and good hygiene

To ensure the desired level of cleanliness, maintenance cleaning on a daily basis is part of any good hotel’s routine. It plays a key role in making both guests and employees feel at home. It is also necessary for preventing stubborn dirt on carpets or hard floors from causing lasting damage and extending their service life.

Upright brush-type vacuum cleaners have proven to be especially effective at cleaning textile floors and carpets on a daily basis. Driven by a separate motor,the carpet brushes in the suction head reach deep into the carpet and direct the loosened dirt to the suction channel while simultaneously straightening the fibres of the floor covering. This prevents it from becoming damaged. Stains caused by coffee, tea, red wine or tar also have to be immediately removed using a stain remover in order to ensure that the flooring looks clean and tidy.

A mop is usually used to clean flexible and hard floor surfaces such as linoleum or tiles. However, any surface area greater than 200 m² would, from an economic point of view, certainly benefit from the use of a compact scrubber drier. The use of a machine is always more thorough than cleaning a space by hand. It also means that the dirt is vacuumed immediately, making the process more hygienic on the whole. A disc brush (smooth structure) or a roller brush (rough surface) is used depending on the surface structure of the flooring. This is especially important when cleaning spa and fitness areas. In addition to the particularly strict hygiene requirements, it is important for the flooring to be slip-resistant.

Intermediate cleaning: the right methods minimise downtime

From time to time, intermediate cleaning is necessary on top of day-to-day cleaning. Intermediate cleaning not only saves on time and money as far as the need for deep cleaning is concerned, but also ensures that the high standard of cleaning is maintained. In this context, it is essential to choose the right method, as this minimises disruption to guests and reduces downtime in the hotel.

When implemented on a regular basis, intermediate cleaning enables flexible and hard floor surfaces to be kept clean with the minimum of effort using a scrubber drier and the one-step method. The following parameters should be taken into account:

• Choice of required brush system (roller or disc) for the surface structure in question
• Use of correct brush or pad material (hard or soft) with regard to type of dirt to be removed
• Use of most effective cleaning agent in the right dosage considering the amount of dirt to be tackled It is important to bear in mind that roller technology is much more efficient than disc technology due to the high contact pressure and high rotational speed of the brushes, which also causes the brushes to clean themselves.

Machines that feature roller technology are also used for the intermediate cleaning of textile coverings. When the appropriate cleaning agent is added, the iCapsol encapsulates the dirt that has been worked into the fibres of the textile covering. As a result, the covering is only damp and can be used again within a short space of time. Once the covering has been left to dry for at least 30 minutes, the encapsulated dirt is removed from the fibres using an upright brush-type vacuum cleaner, which is necessary for this type of work. This leaves no trace of the cleaning agent used and protects against resoiling.

Deep cleaning is essential

Despite all other cleaning and maintenance efforts, it is not possible to avoid giving flooring the deep cleaning treatment. The aim, insofar as is possible, is to restore the flooring to its original condition and degree of slip resistance. Of the four cleaning methods discussed, deep cleaning is the most material, time and labour intensive.

Great care has to be taken when dealing with a textile floor covering – it has to be washed using a spray extraction machine in order to restore it to its original appearance in terms of shape and colour. To deep cleaning the fibres of the covering, the selected cleaning solution is worked into the floor via a floor nozzle set at the required spray pressure and vacuumed into the machine as loosened dirt in a single operation. The floor nozzle with integrated roller is particularly effective, as the additional mechanism is able to remove the attached dirt from the fibres. The floor covering is then rinsed with clean water. Once dry, it is thoroughly vacuumed using an upright brush-type vacuum cleaner. The carpeted floor should not be walked on while it is drying (at least eight hours).

The following method can also be used in conjunction with a hand nozzle to clean mattresses and cushions on chairs and sofas. The spray extraction cleaner is also a key tool for tackling minor day-to-day accidents and spills, as it removes dirt and stains quickly and safely. Generally speaking, it is advisable to order a fibreprotecting agent alongside these other products.

Hard and flexible flooring requires deep cleaning when a build-up of dirt and old protective films affects the floor’s appearance. Scrubber driers are essential in such situations. The same parameters as those stated under ‘intermediate cleaning’ apply here with one difference: the two-step method is used instead of the one-step method (apply cleaning solution, scrub and remove loosened dirt). In the two-step method, the cleaning solution (generally a deep cleaner in a higher dosage) is first applied using the machine and then scrubbed off evenly and in a crosswise manner once the solution has been allowed to react with the dirt. If the dirt has been sufficiently loosened, the squeegee vacuums it into the machine. As stipulated in the onestep method, the floor covering is then rinsed in order to neutralise the surface.

A protective coating is applied to flexible floor coverings such as linoleum or PVC once they are sufficiently dry. The flooring takes on a new shine while it is drying off. It should be polished at regular intervals to maintain the glossy appearance. As a rule, natural stone flooring and tiles are not coated.

Deep cleaning of heavily soiled wooden floors is only possible using a scrubber drier with a roller scrubber head in conjunction with the one-step method. Cleaning operations are carried out multiple times in the direction of the wood grain. As is the norm for the one-step method, the floor is rinsed with clean water. After it has dried to a sufficient degree, wax or oil is applied manually. Once it has set, the floor is polished using soft polishing brushes along with the scrubber drier. Deeper scratches cannot be removed using this method. In this case, the floor needs to be sanded down.

The success of the PDIR care cycle always depends on carrying out the right combination of individual cleaning procedures. Most importantly, periodic deep cleaning operations can be delayed by ensuring that daily cleaning tasks are carried out correctly. Conducting intermediate cleaning operations every so often also cuts down on the time and effort required overall. Preventative cleaning is the most important activity of all, as it enables dirt to be tackled at the source, namely outside the building. As such, it has a major influence on all other upkeep and maintenance activities.