The first impression a guest has of a hotel can influence their whole stay and their decision to stay again in the future. Hotels contain a lot of facilities that need to be kept clean, organized, and accessible for visitors, employees, and guests, from lobbies and guest rooms to casinos and event spaces. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, hotel guests have elevated their standards for cleanliness, necessitating hotels to adopt appropriate measures to improve the whole visitor experience, beginning with the flooring.
A soiled carpet might convey the incorrect message very fast. Indeed, according to a recent research, 80% of Americans would have a poor opinion of a hotel if its carpet was soiled. Carpet is a durable and environmentally friendly flooring choice that provides hotels with a host of advantages when cared for properly, such as lower noise levels, better indoor air quality, and a cozy atmosphere when guests are visiting. Establishing a thorough carpet care program is essential because the frequency with which housekeeping personnel clean and remove stains and spots from carpet affects how long the carpet lasts.
Factors that Lead to Carpet Wear and Tear
Both the impression of cleanliness and beauty are greatly influenced by flooring. Numerous casinos and hotels take great pride in their eye-catching, vivid carpets. Wear and tear on carpets can happen more faster if they are not properly cared for.
The following are some factors that may shorten carpet life in a hospitality setting:
- High foot traffic. Floors within hospitality environments experience high foot traffic, especially near the entrances and popular gathering spaces. Carpet can also experience wear from repeated exposure to roller bags and trolleys.
- Seasonal debris. Different seasons may track in additional debris, from mud to salt to snow to sand. When tracked in on shoes or wheels, it creates an immediate unsightly mark. The more this occurs, the more soils build up in carpet and become difficult to remove.
- Food and drink. Whether the carpet is near a restaurant or located within a guest room, it can be difficult to avoid spilled food and drink. Particularly dark drinks like red wine and coffee can stain quickly and damage carpet.
- Bodily fluids. Although unpleasant, accidents occur. Additionally, with more and more hotels opening their doors to guests and their pets, hotels must be quick to address these protein-based stains.
- Sunlight. Exposing carpet to sunlight for a long period of time can cause fading. Although it occurs over a much longer period of time, fading can make carpet look washed out and old.
Businesses incur huge costs when they replace their carpet, particularly major hotels and casinos that have carpet throughout. The Hotel Cost Estimating Guide by JN+A and HVS Design estimates that replacing the carpet in each of the approximately 135 bedrooms of a midscale hotel will set them back over $700, or close to $100,000. Moreover, replacing the building’s carpet may cause days or even weeks of disruption to some regions.
Some facilities may employ hot water extraction to keep carpets clean. Although hot water extraction works well to remove deep dirt from carpet, the process soaks the carpet and takes several days for it to dry properly. Oversaturated carpet can result in the formation of mold and mildew, which gives off unpleasant scents and eventually makes guests dissatisfied. The longevity of carpets might be impacted by hot water extraction because of the high heat and excessive moisture that may cause fiber damage.
Best Practices for Maintaining Carpet Appearance
A hotel may keep its carpet looking great in several ways without going overboard. A consistent carpet cleaning program can keep the carpet looking fresh and clean. Use these best methods to keep your carpet clean:
- Use matting. Install effective non-slip matting inside and outside all entrances and exits. By stopping debris from entering the building, a facility can prevent excessive staining that can deteriorate the look of carpet prematurely.
- Keep an eye out. Throughout the day, cleaning staff should be reminded to routinely look for any spills and stains on carpet. Once identified, staff should have the proper tools and chemistry to address the spill and prevent a spot from forming.
- Vacuum daily. Vacuuming regularly removes any loose and dry soil from becoming embedded in carpet and wearing it down. It s especially important to vacuum high traffic areas, such as hallways and lobbies.
- Invest in a low-moisture system. To avoid oversaturating carpet and keep it looking clean, hotels should use low-moisture encapsulation equipment and chemistry. This method effectively removes embedded soils and cleans carpet without large quantities of water. This allows carpet to be put back into use after just 30 minutes.
Achieving Cleanliness and Comfort
In order to gain lifelong patrons, hotels strive to wow visitors from the minute they make their reservation until long after they depart. Properties want carpet to always appear its best, whether they choose light, muted colors or dark, colorful patterns. Hotels can preserve their flooring investment and provide a hygienic, comfortable, and joyful atmosphere for everybody by putting a high priority on cleanliness.