Gone off your trolley?

Housekeeping trolleys and carts need to be welcome helpers, not equipment we see as a burden during busy shifts

There was plenty to see and experience during last summer’s Hospitality Expo at Ascot, but among the highlights for us was watching speedy UKHA members race against the clock in challenges including bedmaking and a trolley dash. Flying along with the trolleys in the final were Fernanda Lewis, executive housekeeper at The Goring, and Pamini Hemaprabha, director of services at the Peninsula, London.

The result was a dead heat, with both winning ADA luxury toiletries sets. The trolleys (and the contestants) mostly behaved themselves along the course, but it certainly wasn’t something we’d want our guests to see in hotel corridors! But we must also be aware that post-pandemic guests continue to actively look for the reassurance of seeing housekeeping teams and evidence of high-quality cleaning operations.

Trolley manufacturers and suppliers are also well aware of this change in ‘visibility’, alongside the need to ensure the trolleys are seen by housekeeping staff to be a huge help rather than a hindrance as they busily prepare rooms against a very different clock to the fun spectacle at Hospitality Expo.

Among them are Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), where the range of housekeeping carts helps hotels to meet these elevated visitor expectations. Available in multiple styles and capacities, the robust and ergonomically designed carts help to protect housekeeping staff, while allowing them to work as productively as possible. With greater demands being placed on cleaning teams, maximising efficiency is essential, and carts need to be well-stocked to avoid housekeepers losing valuable time going back and forth to stores. RCP’s Executive Compact Housekeeping Cart is a complete system solution, designed with efficiency in mind.

The full-size cabinet offers a high volume of flexible storage space, while its double bag capacity allows for multiple collection streams, such as linens and waste or recycling, with a watertight PVC lining. The Executive Quick Cart is a highly durable mobile cart solution for housekeeping and its compact, lightweight design makes it perfect for easy manoeuvrability in tight spaces. Adjustable dividers help organise cleaning tools, while heavy-duty fastening straps keep supplies in place during motion.

When you need space-efficient storage, RCP’s collapsible X-cart folds to reduce footprint by up to 75 per cent. Compact and lightweight. But in operation this high-capacity cart accommodates large loads with a two-stream configuration facilitated by coloured ribbons to avoid cross-contamination when sorting materials. With multiple rooms to clean in a limited time, housekeepers need the right equipment to ensure they are not put at risk of avoidable musculoskeletal injuries while striving for efficiency. RCP’s hotel cleaning carts are designed with safety and comfort in mind and have a high degree of lightweight manoeuvrability thanks to sturdy wheels and casters. Housekeeping equipment is put through its paces every day, so prioritising durability is a must if you want to ensure your carts can withstand the touch demands placed on them.

RCP’s carts are designed to ‘stay the course’, removing the unnecessary expense and productivity losses associated with having to frequently replace lower quality alternatives.

When it comes to housekeeping trolleys, Mercura offers several solutions that can significantly improve the lives of housekeepers. A big advantage, they say, is that the trolleys are lightweight, making them easy to push, pull, and navigate through narrow hallways, elevators, and other tight spaces. This can be a real help, particularly in period properties where the twists and turns – and even quirky features – of the building may delight guests who love the style and ambience but can put an extra burden on housekeepers. Mercura have worked hard to keep trolley weight to a minimum as this reduces the physical strain on housekeepers and minimises the risk of injuries caused by heavy lifting or awkward movements. It allows housekeepers to move around with ease, saving time and effort, and improving their overall productivity. When it comes to durability, the aluminium housekeeping trolleys are resistant to corrosion, rust, and other forms of wear and tear, ensuring that they remain functional and maintain their structural integrity even after prolonged use. This means the hotels can rely on the trolleys for a long time without frequent replacements, saving costs and effort in the long run. Mercura trolleys can be easily customised to suit the specific needs and preferences of housekeepers and properties.

With greater demands being placed on cleaning teams, maximising efficiency is essential, and carts need to bewell-stocked to avoid housekeepers losing valuable time going back and forth to stores.

They can be designed with adjustable shelves, drawers, compartments, hooks, and other features to accommodate various cleaning equipment, linens, and amenities. This allows housekeepers to organise their supplies efficiently and access them easily, improving their workflow and productivity. Aluminium is a non-porous material that is resistant to dirt, stains, and odours, and easy to clean and maintain. The trolleys can be simply wiped clean with common cleaning agents, and their smooth surface does not trap dirt or bacteria. This saves housekeepers time and effort in cleaning and ensures that the trolleys remain hygienic and well-maintained, contributing to a clean and professional appearance.

Mercura trolleys have a sleek and modern appearance that can enhance the professional image of the housekeeping team and the overall aesthetic of the property. A well-maintained and visually appealing trolley can leave a positive impression on guests, reinforcing the perception of cleanliness and service quality. Features such as adjustable handles, padded grips, and smooth-rolling wheels are ergonomic design elements which can help housekeepers to maintain proper posture, reduce strain on their backs, shoulders, and wrists, and minimise the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. If your housekeeping staff see their cumbersome and awkward trolleys as a burden to suffer during their daily shifts rather than a welcome mechanical ‘co-worker’ it’s time to make the change.