FLOORS, WALLS AND

WINDOWS
CHAPTER 6
HHB3013 CHILD CARE CENTRE
OPERATIONS
1

TOPIC
LEARNING
OUTCOMES

INTRODUCTION

SELECTING AND CARING FOR

HARD FLOOR
NONRESILIENT FLOORS
Non-resilient flooring is found most often in high traffic
areas and areas where excessive dampness or water
would damage carpeting.

Stone

Marble is the best known of the natural stones, but

travertine, granite, slate, terrazzo and other types of
stone are also used in commercial flooring.

Terrazzo which has

natural sheen and is
resistant to wear, is
advertised as needing no
artificial or applied
finish?

Maintaining Stone Floors:

Dust removal is the most basic aspect of stone floor
care. Dust especially that from sandy soil can literally
grind off the surface of the floor.
Daily sweeping and dust mopping with a no oily
dusting compound is essential.
A no rinse stone soap is effective.
Some surfaces can be spray buffed a procedure in
which the floor is sprayed with a buffing spray
solution, and then buffed with a floor machine
equipped with pads or brushes.
Other surfaces will react better to dry buffing or
burnishing, which polishes through the friction create
by high speed buffing.

Concrete

All concrete floors require

sealing. Concrete floors should
be swept, then thoroughly
mopped and vacuumed with a
wet pick-up prior to sealing.
Ground in soils must be
scrubbed.

Ceramic

Ceramic flooring or
vitreous flooring refers to
flooring materials that
have been made of some
clay product and fired in a
specialized, very hot oven
called a kiln to produce a
hard, stone like quality.
Common types include
tiles, brick, glazed tiles
and paving stone.

Brick

Limestone

Mosaics

Glass Floor

Asphalt Tile

Cork Tile

Maintaining Ceramic Floors:

Sweeping and mopping with a tile cleaner should
keep glazed tile floors looking shiny and clean.
It should be dusted often because dust will scratch
and abrade the shine.
Unglazed floors such as terra cotta, brick and
paving stones, should be swept.

RESILIENT FLOORING
Resilient flooring such as wood can be showcased in
the public space.
Wood
Wood floors must be sealed and
finished. Various techniques are
used ranging from applications of
tong oil and wax to polyurethane
and liquids acrylics. Varnish or
shellac type chemicals should be
avoided, since they can yellow
and peel.

Maintaining Wood Floors:

Daily maintenance consists of frequent sweeping and
dusting.
Wood floor sealed with polyurethanes also require
periodic damp mopping.
Older wood floors may need a biannual or annual
treatment wit paste wax and butter.
Wood floors should never be cleaned with a wet mop
or have standing water on them.
The only way to clean deeply, stained wood or
damaged wood is to have the floor sanded. (Made
smooth with sandpaper).

VINYL FLOORING

Maintaining Vinyl Floors:

Daily dusting with a treated mop, treated sparingly, is
essential to avoid damage from abrasion.
Use of a neutral cleaner will prevent the damaging
buildup of alkaline on the floor.
Mopping with special restoration coatings, chemicals
that in most cases can restore the factory shine on
some types of vinyl floors.

RUBBER FLOORING

These floors buff to a high

shine without the use of a
finish or high-speed
buffer. High speed buffing
may cause pad burn,
which occurs when pads
on the buffer go through
the finish and mark the
floor.

Maintaining rubber floors:

Mild alkaline can be used to clean rubber floors;
harsh alkaline will damage them.
As with all floors, daily dusting and periodic damp
mopping constitute the basics of cleaning.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

FOR HARD FLOORS
Scrubbers
The single disc scrubbers most basic function is to
apply the appropriate solution then scrub or strip the
floor. It vacuums up the dirty solution, leaving an
almost dry floor behind. Most are lightweight and
easily portable. These machines are among he most
versatile in the housekeeping department and can
handle any task from scrubbing to buffing and striping
floors.

High Speed Buffers

Buffers are available in electric models, battery
powered mode and gas powered. The main problem
with the electric models is the cord.
Floor Pads and Brushes
Most pads used on scrubbers are now made of
plastic. Pads are made from fiber some type of grit
and a binder that hold the pad together. The latest
innovation is a crystallization process, which involves
special pads for renewing marble floors.

Sealers and Finishes

Primary sealers are used as the only coating on the
floor and those that are designed to be used in
conjunction with a sealer. Floor safety is also a major
part of floor maintenance, especially in the face of an
increasing number of lawsuits resulting from falls.

Floor Cleaning Methods:

Mopping.
Buffing and Burnishing.
Scrubbing.
Stripping and Refinishing.

THE HOUSEKEEPERS ROLE IN

INTERIOR DESIGN
Executive housekeepers should be actively involved in
assessing both fabrics and furnishings. They should
request fabric swatches, small fabric samples, and
participate in the review of the model room. The
purpose of the model room is to give the owner,
operator, and some department heads and, more and
more frequently, key prospective clients a chance to
try out the new designs and evaluate it. The executive
housekeeper should test-clear the fabrics, finishes,
and floors coverings that will be used.

DESIGN TRENDS
Like styles in fashion, change frequently.
To know whether a chain will hole up to heavy usage
than to recognize whether it is Chippendales or art
deco.
How many different styles of furnishings.
Selection of supplies.
The calculation of inventory.
Patterns are used more throughout hotels, and
patterns tend to complement each other.
Design to surprise or even challenge the guest
aesthetically, most properties aim for a classic look
comfort.

WALLS, CEILINGS AND

WINDOWS
MATERIALS SELECTION
Durability
Durability must be weighed differently for the wall
coverings and wall finishes than it is for hard
flooring.
Standards for walls in guest bathrooms public
rest room, pool and spa areas, and kitchen, other
areas are more likely to be painted or wallpapered.
Wall treatment and any corner that is vulnerable
to marks and scrapes from suitcases and cars.

Ease of Maintenance
Elements from color and pattern to weight and
constructions can affect ease of maintenance for wall
finishes and wall coverings.
Hard surfaces such as marble or tile must be
finished or sealed so that they can be cleaned
regularly without wearing.
Both tile and marble are currently the standard
choices for any wall subjects to wetness, humidity,
and grease.

Flammability
Wall coverings, like bedding, must comply with
flammability regulations.
The specified of the wall coverings, that is, the
person who writes the detailed descriptions of the
items, must check local codes on flammability and
toxicity, which vary by city and state.
Suitability
Like floor, walls have a major impact on the overall
design of a room.
Its location, climate, and even the standards and
specifications of the operator all influence the
selection of wall finishes and wall coverings.

CARING FOR WALLS AND CEILINGS

Most walls do not require daily maintenance, weekly
cleaning is sufficient.
Only walls in guest bathrooms, public restroom,
employee locker rooms, and locker rooms adjacent
to pools and spas or fitness facilities require daily
washing.
Ceilings are cleaned on a quarterly basis or, at least
twice a year.
Ceilings that serve as decorative elements, such as
the fabric or glass ceilings sometimes used to make
a design statement in restaurants, lounges, or bars.

PAINTED SURFACES

Routine Maintenance

Weekly dusting.
Check for marks, chips, and scrapes.
One painting expert recommends a mildly abrasive
soap for removing black marks from walls without
damaging paints.
Bad soils can be removed by saturating the area of
stain or soil with the cleaning solutions and allowing it
to penetrate for a few minutes.
Where dust and smoke have accumulated, it maybe
necessary to apply a little abrasive powder on a wet
sponge or pad.

Deep Cleaning
For hand washing with a sponge:
Begin from the bottom up to avoid streaks. Clean
the lower half of the wall from one corner to the
other.
Rinse the lower half of the wall before the
beginning the upper half. Wipe the wall dry after
rinsing.
Clean, rinse, and dry the upper half in the same
manner.
Change the solution and the rinse water frequently to
insure good results.

 For washing with a mop:

Work from the top down. Swing the mop from side to
side in rhythmic strokes as far as possible without
stepping ahead. Do not use excess pressure, which
could rub soil into the wall.
At the point where side to side cleaning is impossible,
swing the mop in long, vertical arcs from the cleaned
upper surface down to the baseboard. Use a scrub
brush for stubborn spots.
Before the cleaning solutions dries on the cleaned
areas, use the rinse mop with the same swinging
motion.
Dry the cleaned and rinsed area with a dry mop.

 For wall washing machines:

Work in left to right arcs as far as possible without
stepping ahead.
Change the solution pad when it becomes too soiled.
Another option is to shift the rinse applicators to the
detergent applicator, and the dry pad can be used for
rinsing.
After rinsing, dry the cleaned section of wall with the
drying pad.

Equipment and Supplies

Sponges or mops and pails are all that is necessary
for hand washing. The best sponges are cellulose and
about the size of a brick.
A telescoping mop handle makes it easier to reach
high places on the wall.
Wall washing machines are available with a single
tank.
Terry cloth pads are needed for smooth walls.
A strong alkaline cleaner such as presidium phosphate
removes dirt but may also remove some paint.
A weak solution should be patch tested on an
inconspicuous area first.
Synthetic detergents made of sulfonated
hydrocarbons are usually preferable to soap, which may
leave residue and hasten future soiling.

VINYL WALLPAPER

Deep Cleaning
Manufacturers instructions are the starting points
for deep cleaning.
Should be rinsed thoroughly and dried before
moving to the next section.
Attendants and supervisors should watch for seams
that are opening up or curling.

Equipment and Supplies

Brush for scrubbing and low sucking detergent diluted
in warm water should suffice for most cleaning needs.
A soft, lint free cloth or towel will be needed for
drying.

FABRIC PARTITIONS AND ACOUSTICAL WALLS

Routine Maintenance
Should be inspected closely.
Setup crews generally handle partitions along their
edges; these are the first areas to show dirt, grease,
and smudge marks.
A brush can be used to keep the bases and edges
clean.
A piece of art gum will remove small spots from
unpainted acoustical walls.
Colored chalks are ideal for touching up nicks in
acoustical walls.
Spray paint can be used on painted acoustical walls,
taking care not to fill in the holes, as this lessens
sounds absorbency.

Deep Cleaning
Cleaning should follow the manufacturers
instructions.
The best approach is to begin deep cleaning on a
small inconspicuous piece of the partition or wall.
Should be allowed to dry thoroughly before
assessing whether there has been discoloration,
shrinkage, and sagging, or other damage.

Equipment and Supplies

Needed for routine cleaning is a vacuum with soft
nozzle brush.
Some fabrics cleaners are sold with their own soft
brush attachment.
Small sponge or soft brush will be needed for deep
cleaning.

TILE WALLS

Routine Maintenance
Walls in public rest rooms, guest bathrooms, locker
rooms, pool and spa areas must be washed daily with a
tile cleaner or all-purpose cleaner.
Walls separating shower stalls in pool or spa areas
and employer shower must be cleaned daily with a
disinfectant.
In most cases, a mild alkali or synthetic detergent
works well.

Deep Cleaning
Training has to stress the importance of drying the
grout in order to prevent mildew.
Trained to put the shower curtain in the center or to
one side, pulled across, in order to let air circulate.

Equipment and Supplies

Wall washing machines usually have brush
attachment available for rougher surfaces.
As stated above, mild detergents abrasives, grout
cleaners, and whiteners make up the basic cleaning
supply list.
Number one steel wool pads are useful for removing
tough stains such as lipstick or coffee from grout.

OTHER WALL MATERIALS

Wooden

Cork

Plastic Laminate

Fiberglass

Glass

Deluxe hotels may occasionally have fabric covered

walls in special areas to convey a look of unstinting
elegance. The high cost and extreme delicacy of
these coverings make them impractical. Cotton, wool,
silk or some combination may be installs. Delicate
fabrics can be vacuumed with a soft brush nozzle so
as not to pull threads or cause the fabric to sag or
pucker.
Encounter wall coverings and finishes ranging from
marble to cork and from wood veneers to brick and
stainless steel. A new process that is applied
somewhat like plaster produces a durable, easy-toclean wall surface. Since the pigment is mixed into
the wall material during manufacturing, the color
permeates the entire surface.

TYPES OF WINDOW

The Double-Hung Window

It is classic in appearance, offers
excellent control of ventilation. You
can raise the lower sash or lower the
upper one. A single-hung window is
similar but only the lower sash opens.

Casement Window
It hinges on one side and
swings out when you turn a
crank (some are inwardswinging). Because it opens
fully, it affords good
ventilation and is easy to
clean.

A Slider
It offers a contemporary
appearance. It's made from two
separate sashes-one is fixed, the
other slides in a track. Half
opens for ventilation. A slider is
easy to operate and most types
are particularly weather-tight.

An Awning Window
It hinges at the top and tilts
out at the bottom, providing
partial ventilation. These
are often used above doors
or other windows.

Jalousie or Louvered
It is excellent for
ventilation but poor
insulators-they leak a
great deal of air.

A Hopper Window
It hinges at the bottom. A
hopper is normally used for
ventilation above a door or
window, where protected
by eaves.

The Tilt-Turn
It is a fairly new type
of window. It tilts out
for ventilation but
also can be opened
fully for cleaning or
as an emergency
escape.

Round-Top
The geometricallyshaped windows are
used as architectural
accents.

A Bow Window
It is made from
several windows
positioned side-byside to create an
arcing form. Similar to
a bay window, it
provides drama in a
room.

A Seamless Bent-Glass
It is a fairly new product
that offers unobstructed
views at the corner of a
house.

The Bay Window

It made from a central
sash and two angled
side sashes, is a
classic favorite for
expanding a room with
light, views and
drama. Angled side
windows are often
operable casements or
double-hung windows.

Glass Block
It is a light-allowing
alternative to
conventional windows,
used both in exterior
and interior walls.
Various patterns allow
varying degrees of
view or privacy. Typical
sizes are 6, 8 and 12inch squares and 4 by
8 and 6 by 8
rectangles made for 4inch-thick walls.

FURNITURE, FIXTURES AND

EQUIPMENT
Appearance
Large patterns belong in large rooms (small patterns
in small areas). Complementary patterns can be
mixed, as long as they harmonize in term of style and
color. Light colors make a room look bigger, dark
colors make a space look smaller. Sometimes this rule
is broken for effect, often to make a small restaurant
look even more elegant and secluded.

Availability
Availability is an important concern, especially when
opening a hotel. The interior designer notifies
department heads on the pre-opening team when the
furniture, fixtures and equipment will be delivered. For
every item, no matter how small, must be checked.
Comfort
Comfort is paramount for guestroom chairs, chairs
used in auditoriums and meeting rooms, and chairs in
fine dining restaurants where it is desirable to have
patrons linger.

Cost
The cost are the average life expectancy of the piece,
the most and projected frequency of repairs, the cost
of regular maintenance and the cost of deep
cleaning.
Guarantees
This consideration is particularly important to the
executive housekeeper, who will have to invoke the
guarantee of any design element that fails to live up
to the manufactures claims.

NATURAL FABRICS
Wool
Fibers from animal coats: Sheep, goats, rabbits,
alpacas, llama
Cotton
Fibers from the cotton plants seed pod

Silk
Fibers from the cocoon of the silkworm
Linen
Linen is from flax, a bats fiber taken from the stalk of
the plant
Hemp, Ramie, and Jute
All of these are similar to linen but the plants are
processed slightly differently.

MANUFACTURED OR MAN MADE FABRICS

Acetate
It is not a strong fiber but can be extruded into fibers
of different diameter and woven into fabrics that
have the luxurious look of silk but do not wear like
silk.
Acrylic
It is a fine soft and luxurious fabric with the bulk and
hand of wool. Light weight and springy, this fabric is
non-allergenic, dries quickly, draws moisture away
from the body and is washable.

Latex
It is an elastic fiber made from Latex. It is most often
used with other fibers to create fabrics such as
Spandex and foundation garments.
Nylon
Nylon is stronger yet weighs less than any other
commonly used fiber. It is elastic and resilient and
responsive to heat setting. Nylon fibers are smooth,
non-absorbent and dry quickly. Dirt doesnt cling to this
smooth fiber nor is it weakened by chemicals and
perspiration.

Polyester
Polyester is manufactured in many weights including
fiber-fill used in pillows and upholstery. Threads spun
from polyester fibers are strong, wear exceptionally
well, and are used extensively in home sewing and
manufactured sewing.
Rayon
Rayon, from cellulose, has many of the qualities of
cotton, a natural cellulose fiber. Rayon is strong;
extremely absorbent, comes in a variety of qualities
and weights, and can be made to resemble natural
fabrics.

Spandex
It is an elastic type fiber that can be stretched many
times its length and then spring back to the original
length. Spandex is more resistant to washing,
perspiration, and heat than latex.

DEEP CLEANING OF FABRICS

Vacuuming
Spot Treat
Test For Color Fastness
Test For Shrinkage
Shampoo
Dry Cleaning
Hand Brush Or Vacuum