Easy does it as we glide forwards: Trolleys and carts

Housekeeping teams can reduce strain with equipment which stands up to years of constant use

There’s no need for housekeepers to heave around and battle with heavyweight equipment which reminds us of those badly-behaved shopping trolleys we sometimes end up swapping in supermarkets.

Every hotel worker deserves cleaning tools that can deliver excellence. And the people that understand what makes a good bit of kit are the ones who use it day in, day out. That’s why the latest Executive Series housekeeping carts from Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) were designed based on direct consultations with housekeeping professionals. These housekeeping carts have been a trusted part of hotel operations for over 20 years, supporting the often-unseen work of keeping venues clean and tidy.

Housekeeping professionals said they needed a cart that was easy to move and packed with storage space. So, RCP developed not one but three housekeeping carts to meet the brief. •

• Compact – small footprint, maximum storage space
• Full-Size – featuring modular shelves for customisable storage
• Full-Size with Hood and Doors – For extra security and less visual clutter

With 60 per cent of housekeepers saying that their existing cart was difficult to manoeuvre safely, ergonomics were a key part of the design process. The carts feature ergonomic handles for an even grip, and five casters (two swivel, three locking) to improve manoeuvrability in narrow hotel corridors. These casters allow users to switch the cart between fixed and swivel modes and fully lock the cart to stationary when needed.

The Executive Series carts pack 27 per cent more internal storage space than their predecessors, as well as a designated workspace with plenty of room for cleaning products. Housekeepers can also store up to five pieces of cleaning equipment (brooms, mops, vacuum cleaners) in the carts’ improved stick holders.

As with all RCP products, durability is the foundation of the design. Each cart is made with durable high-quality resin and comes with a three-year warranty. The cart doesn’t compromise on style, though – the sleek, black look of the carts ensures they fit right into a hotel’s aesthetic. The option for hidden storage also reduces visual clutter for both team members and guests.

Since its launch last year, the Executive Series carts have received positive feedback from hospitality teams and industry leaders, including achieving first place in a recent awards ceremony. Stuart Owen, director at SOHO Commercial said: “We absolutely love RCP’s range of housekeeping carts and cleaning tools because they make it easier for our customers to achieve the outstanding level of cleanliness that their guests are accustomed to.”

For linen and amenity carts, the best designs are no longer just about moving stock from A to B. In busy hotel environments, they need to help housekeeping teams work faster, reduce strain, and stand up to years of constant use. That is where durability, ergonomic design and smart storage now matter as much as capacity.

Forbes Industries, available in the UK through Forbes Group, has developed a strong reputation for housekeeping and laundry carts built around those priorities. Its linen carts are constructed with steel frames, powder epoxy finishes and heavy-duty bags, making them suitable for the demands of hotels, hospitals and other high traffic settings.

Features such as wraparound bumpers, independently mounted casters, wide wheel tracks that increase stability, and multiple handles also support day-to-day durability and ease of movement.

That practical approach is especially important in housekeeping, where carts are handled repeatedly throughout a shift. A well-designed cart can help minimise operator fatigue, improve manoeuvrability in tight corridors and keep supplies organised so staff spend less time searching and more time servicing rooms.

Smart storage is another key consideration. Modern housekeeping carts increasingly need to separate clean linen, amenities and waste efficiently while maintaining a compact footprint. Forbes Group’s laundry cart range includes steel-framed models with heavy duty fabric bags or plastic bins, plus swivel casters for easy movement, while their broader housekeeping range includes enclosed shelving and lockable storage options designed to keep essentials accessible and secure.

Compact in-room carts are designed to keep supplies away from unattended corridors. For busy teams, that can translate into smoother replenishment rounds and better stock control.

Sustainability is also shaping buying decisions. Hotels are under pressure to invest in equipment that lasts longer and reduces replacement cycles, while choosing materials that support responsible procurement. Durable and recyclable steel construction and long service designs can help lower waste over time, and hard-wearing carts align well with broader efforts to cut operational impact.

At Bryant Plastics, they’ve worked with laundry companies over many years and have a vast range of trucks, trolleys and linen cages available. What some people don’t realise is that the same range of trucks and trolleys and cages work just as well in housekeeping and they’ve supplied to lots of hotels, the NHS, private schools and small businesses.

Jackie Smith of Bryant Plastics says: “I love it when I go into a hotel, or recently a guest house and see our trucks and trolleys in action. One of our customers changed to plastic trolleys and told us there was a significant decrease in damage to walls in the hotel, another plus for plastic. The plastic cages and trucks have no sharp edges and are easier to manoeuvre than their metal counterparts.

All Bryant Plastics products are made in the UK and supplied from their Yorkshire-based business.

They are easy to clean, last for many years and are popular in the NHS, where linen exchange cages or trolleys come with hangers or shelves, so uniforms are either hung up in them or folded depending on the demands of the area being serviced. These are also excellent for bedding and towels.

Most areas have two, one for clean linen and another for dirty linen. Some companies chose to have different colours for clean linen and dirty linen so that there is no cross contamination. Bryant Plastics offer a variety of linen exchange trolleys in different sizes, heights and volume.

Smith shares this story: “We have recently supplied a self-levelling barrow to a sheltered housing complex where staff were experiencing back pain as they were having to lift washing baskets from residents’ flats to the washing area and back again in ordinary laundry baskets.

“That is a thing of the past as they now have a truck on wheels and the icing on the cake for the staff is that the platform in the truck goes down as it’s loaded and up as the items are taken out. No more back ache!”

When it comes to housekeeping operations, every hotel is different. Room layouts, corridor widths, storage requirements and servicing procedures can vary significantly from property to property.

A recent project with Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone, Ireland, highlighted the value of how Aslotel design equipment around the people who use it every day. The hotel’s housekeeping team received a fleet of custom-made trolleys, created specifically to suit their operational requirements.

As housekeeping manager Tabita McLoughlin shared on LinkedIn: “The proper tools make all the difference in delivering excellence every day.” It’s a simple statement, but one that reflects the reality faced by housekeeping teams across the hospitality sector.

The project began with a site visit to understand the team’s day-to-day challenges and assess how the trolleys would be used within the property. Measurements were taken, storage requirements reviewed and practical considerations discussed directly with the housekeeping team to ensure the final design supported their workflow.

The result was a set of tailor-made trolleys helping staff transport linens, amenities, and supplies more efficiently while maximising available storage and manoeuvrability throughout the property.

Housekeeping professionals are at the heart of every successful guest experience. By investing in equipment designed around their needs, hotels can support staff wellbeing, improve operational efficiency, and help teams maintain the high standards guests expect.

Projects like Hodson Bay Hotel demonstrate that sometimes the most effective solutions aren’t off-the-shelf products, but partnerships that focus on listening, understanding, and creating equipment that truly works for the people using it every day.

At Alliance Online hospitality businesses can find a wide range of professional housekeeping solutions designed to meet the demands of modern hotels, including the highly regarded Numatic Eco-Matic Black Reflo range of trolleys.

Designed with busy commercial environments in mind, the Eco-Matic Reflo trolleys combine durability, practicality and environmentally conscious manufacturing. The range is made using high-quality recycled plastic through Numatic’s Reflo technology, helping businesses reduce virgin plastic usage without compromising on strength or performance.

Many models in the range are manufactured using a minimum of 77 per cent recycled plastic, making them an excellent choice for hotels looking to support sustainability initiatives alongside operational efficiency.

One of the biggest advantages of the Eco-Matic range is versatility. Different models are available to suit varying housekeeping requirements and hotel sizes. Compact models offer practical shelf storage and integrated waste facilities, ideal for smaller properties or hotels with narrow corridors, while larger models provide additional shelving and storage capacity for busy housekeeping teams managing high room turnover.

Durability is another major benefit of the Numatic Eco-Matic Black Reflo range. Built for continuous commercial use, the trolleys are designed to withstand the demands of daily housekeeping operations while remaining lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. Their compact footprint also makes them suitable for hotels where storage space can often be limited.

For hospitality businesses looking to improve operational efficiency while supporting more sustainable practices, the housekeeping trolley range offers a practical long-term solution. Combining smart storage, robust construction and eco-conscious design, these trolleys are built to meet the evolving demands of modern hotel housekeeping.