The dining room is the centre of the house and any family home. Likewise, a clean dining room is the centre of a happy home.
This is where quality time is spent with children over breakfast. Where you would go over the day with your partner over dinner. This is where you may host events and have friends over for parties and the all-important Christmas Dinner. The dining room is where it is at. It is a direct representation of a whole house and household.
It is therefore extremely important that this area is regularly cleaned and kept up to a high standard. So that it is ready for use at any given time. Developing a routine for cleaning and keeping up the dining room can be challenging. But stick to the below steps and tips and you will become confident in a cleaning routine, and doing this important room justice.
What are some areas to look at when developing a dining room cleaning procedure for your housekeeping staff?
Why Dining Room Cleaning is Crucial
The dining room will most likely be the centre of the house. It is a space where the principal and its family will spend a lot of quality time. This is an area that will be used when having guests over too, for parties, dinners and entertaining. So this room will represent the look of the whole house and the family.
The family might have surprise or last-minute guests coming over, or decide to have dinner, breakfast or lunch at an odd hour during the day or night. For that reason, it is vital that the dining room is immaculately clean and organised at all time. You should always routinely be on top of the organisation and cleanliness of the dining room. Just so that when the family would like a last-minute food or drinks service in here, it will not take you long to have the room ready for them and potential guests.
Secondly, any area where food or drinks are served must be spotless. It is a matter of hygiene that any surface where food or drinks might pass cannot contact any dirt, dust or bacteria. A regular – weekly – deep clean will make sure you will stay on top of major issues like stains, spots and dust. A more thorough clean after every usage of the room gives you full control of no marks, dirt or crumbs being left behind. Although this area is for food and drinks, there should be no sign of it before or after service!
How To Clean The Dining Room
It is very important to remember that there is not one concrete guide of cleaning that can be applied to every single dining room. A dining room is a reflection of the house, the household and potentially the personality of the family. This means that no two rooms will be alike.
Material, equipment and furniture can differ enormously. So you should make sure you are knowledgeable about working with all different types of surfaces and materials. Think of things such as wood, marble, carpet, vinyl, glass, suede and velvet. Many dining rooms will also have chandeliers. So make sure you are knowledgeable on how to clean these too.
Dining Room Rules
There are, however, some general rules and approaches when dealing with management, cleaning and housekeeping of the dining room. These will give you a solid head start already:
- Always ensure any rubbish or items that do not belong in the drawing-room are removed. Children might have left their toys there. Always make sure these go back to where they below originally. You do not want anyone tripping over lego when entering for dinner!
- The dining area should always go back to its ‘neutral state’ after every service or usage. A sweep of the tables, vacuum cleaning of the floors and dusting/removing crumbs and stains from the chairs is vital.
- Look up! Often ceilings and corners are missed and this is typically where cobwebs might grow. All light fittings and fixtures should be regularly cleaned and inspected. Chandeliers are relevant here too.
- Clean the furniture. Again make sure you schedule in a weekly or monthly deep clean, depending on how often the room is used. As well as a clean after every usage of the room. Make sure you care depending on the surface or material – cleaning a leather chair is very different from, for example, suede. The dining table and chairs should have the correct care and cleaning for the surface type too. Remember to clean underneath and find any hidden areas that food or drink could have dropped, spilled or gathered.
- Using a wet rag wipe under and across all the surfaces, including window sills, chairs and tables.
- Dust.
- Vacuum/Hoover. Not just the floors but also corners where you can reach.
- Mop if required and if the surfaces allow for wet cleaning.
- Air the room.
How Can Training Help?
To become skilled at cleaning and upkeep of the dining room, practice really makes perfect.
A good training programme will give you lots of practice. This can be done both in online training courses, as well as during in-person programmes. Practice is vital to becoming more confident in cleaning the dining room area. But also to become multi-skilled and ready to apply different techniques to different styles of dining rooms and its furniture. Steps on how to clean can help you give an idea and a starting point. However, nothing beats getting stuck in and actually giving it a go.
Having lots of personal guidance can be most beneficial when it comes to training. Therefore a small group setting is the ideal set up for you or your housekeeping staff to get the most out of the training. Small groups means there will be lots of of opportunity for everyone to practise, with plenty of support and guidance from an experienced trainer in the field.
Training will not only give you more practical skills. It will also boost your confidence in tacking the so important dining room area.
Finally, training will give you a better understanding on how to organise and structure your clean. So that it is not only done to perfection but also as quick and efficiently as possible!
How Can Polo & Tweed Help?
Polo & Tweed offer tailor-made private training for all abilities, as well as online training courses. Including housekeeping training! Online training can be extremely beneficial for those unable to travel, or looking for more flexibility in completing their training. In-person, bespoke training is suited for those looking for tailor-made training where the trainer can troubleshoot, and guide hands-on. Why not give us a call to find out which option may suit you best.