Housekeeping is a daily, constant duty on yachts, yet it is easily neglected and rarely considered when improving the guest's onboard experience.
This is why I have joined forces with former Chief Stewardess Margarita Amam, founder and owner of IMS GMBH | Interior Management Systems, to share six simple ways you can improve the housekeeping protocols and standards to elevate the guest experience onboard.
6 steps to Uplevel Housekeeping on Superyachts
1. Understand the Importance of Cleaning and Sanitation
Even though this sounds obvious, many stewardesses need help understanding the difference between cleaning and sanitizing. Cleaning is essential for eliminating dirt, dust, germs, and contaminants from surfaces, preventing their accumulation and spread. Sanitizing will eliminate or inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and viruses. Clean and sanitized environments promote good health, reduce the risk of infections, and create a pleasant and safe atmosphere onboard.
2. Work with Housekeeping Checklist & Guides
Data shows that having a written standard operating procedure (SOP) connected to a checklist significantly decreases the error rate to just 1%.
This means that a cleaning checklist is essential for the yacht's interior housekeeping department to ensure the highest luxury hospitality standards.
Working with a checklist helps ensure consistency and thoroughness in cleaning procedures, including changing linens, sanitizing surfaces, and everything in between.
A well-structured checklist sets clear expectations and standards and streamlines the training for new crew members. It also optimizes their time management, preventing delays in this area of the interior department.
And if you are looking for an interior management app. I recommend the IMS App. Click here to learn more.
3. Invest in Top Cleaning Equipment and Products
Investing in high-quality cleaning equipment and environmentally friendly cleaning products is vital to up-leveling the housekeeping on yachts.
Effective equipment such as vacuum cleaners, cleaning machines, floor scrubbers, microfiber cloths, steam cleaners, air purifiers, biodegradable trash bags, etc, makes cleaning more efficient, reducing the time and effort required for each task.
Using eco-friendly products aligns with modern sustainability standards and ensures a safe and healthy environment for guests and staff.
While an initial expense, these investments can lead to long-term cost savings as they extend the life of assets and improve the overall guest experience.
For instance, the IMS Fine Fibers are durable and reusable, reducing the need for frequent replacements. The IMS SprayPro's® reusable bottles also contribute to cost savings by eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles.
IMS Fine Fibers and SprayPro bottles are my two favorite products for implementing top quality and sustainability in the HK department.
Former Chief Stew Margarita Amam created these products, and I highly recommend them; there is nothing like them on the market.
The IMS Fine Fibers are unique because they're:
Created by a former eco-conscious chief stew who understands the needs of the crew and yachts.
Made with a deep-pile weave structure for high absorption.
Constructed with a superior weave technique for lint and streak-free cleaning. The fibers also contain silver ions that act as antimicrobials to sanitize traffic areas.
Color coordinated with a border that distinguishes the interior and deck departments onboard.
Categorized and marked by purpose and area of use in each department to eliminate cross-contamination.
Branded with a washed-out icon that indicates the cloth expiration.
Assemble with a corner pouched for soft detailing and trim for stubborn spots.
In accordance with the health and hygiene principles of the HACCP and USPH, thus eliminating cross-contamination.
Produced sustainably from recycled plastic in the EU.
The IMS SprayPro's® reusable bottles stand out for their:
Continuous spray- Repeated actuation produces an endless spray, allowing large areas to be covered quickly and easily.
Upside-down design that allows 360° spraying for those areas that are difficult to reach.
Airless functionality to enhance formulation integrity.
High-quality fine mist-like spray so the cleaning agent spreads evenly and flawlessly on all surfaces.
Consistent spray mist from first to last drop, ensuring a 98% liquid evacuation.
Integrated scale & guide for cleaning product formulation and mixture, as well as care instructions and information provided in each bottle related to the surfaces on which the cleaning agent will be used.
Click here to learn more and order the IMS Fine Fibers & Spray Pro bottles.
Remember to use code YACHTMERMAID10 to save 10% Today!
4. Educate your team to follow Proper Cleaning Procedures:
Training your team to use the appropriate cleaning agents, tools, and equipment for different surfaces and purposes is crucial.
For example, to prevent cross-contamination, which is the transfer of harmful microorganisms from one surface to another, clean from top to bottom, and add a sanitization protocol at the end with the Sanitation Shield Fine Fibers from IMS.
The Sanitation Shield Fine Fibers are terrific for high-traffic areas that must be cleaned more frequently to ensure hygiene and cleanliness. These areas include handrails, door handles, remotes, electronic devices, etc. To order the IMS Fine Fibers, click here.
5. Handling and Storing Cleaning Agents Safely
Following proper procedures for storing and handling cleaning agents is vital to prevent accidental spills, mixing of incompatible chemicals, or exposure to heat or flames. Additionally, it is essential to keep cleaning agents out of reach of children and ensure proper labeling for easy identification.
IMS Housekeeping BB Bags
The best way to achieve this is by using my favorite cleaning caddies from IMS, their one-of-a-kind BB Bags.
As Margarita said, "Being presentable doesn't stop at the uniform we wear; it should continue in all that we do."
But these Bags are not just any bag; they feature:
Customizable color palate to blend seamlessly with the overall aesthetics of the vessel.
Sturdy and modular compartments with an air-permeable canvas body to adjust as needed.
Washable inlets ionized with silver to maintain sanitation inside the bag.
Color fastened, stain, and water-resistant materials.
Scratch-safe padded bottom,
And a comfortable shoulder strap plus handles
The Big B Bag is a must-have to truly uplevel your housekeeping department. Doing housekeeping with these bags will level up the sanitation standards onboard and make you and your team feel confident and look presentable and professional while performing housekeeping duties.
If you need help sorting out products for each surface, I highly recommend getting the IMS done-for-you cleaning kits called Mini B's, which match the Big B Bags.
6. Learn How to Communicate and Keep your Team Motivated
Strong communication skills are vital within the housekeeping team to achieve smooth operations. To communicate effectively, you have to:
Learn to listen
Maintain confidence as you speak
Consider your tone, body language, and direction.
Use statements, not questions
Give clear directives, not suggestions
Restate what you hear.
Keep criticism constructive
Click here for my blog on How to Communicate so Others Listen and Respect You.
A positive team environment is vital in boosting crew morale and performance. Happy and motivated crew members will likely provide excellent service and maintain high cleanliness standards.
Motivating your team involves a mix of strategies that foster a positive environment and encourage engagement. Here are some effective approaches:
Recognize Achievements: Celebrate individual and team accomplishments to boost morale.
Encourage Open Communication: create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and feedback.
Provide Growth Opportunities: Support professional development through training, workshops, or mentorship programs.
Create a Positive Work Environment: Promote collaboration, trust, and a sense of belonging.
Empower Team Members: Give them ownership of projects and encourage decision-making.
Offer Flexibility: Whenever possible, provide flexible work options to accommodate personal needs like menstrual rest. Click here to learn more.
Lead by Example: Demonstrate enthusiasm and a strong work ethic, inspiring your team to follow suit.
Listen Actively: Show genuine interest in team members' opinions and concerns.
Foster Team Spirit: Organize team-building activities to strengthen relationships.
By implementing these strategies, you can create a motivated and engaged team.
Inside the MKSB Human Resources Bundle, you will find performance review templates, team-building exercises, recruitment guidelines, and more to aid you in your leadership role. Download the MKSB; Click here.
In conclusion, these simple steps will enhance housekeeping operations and improve team morale, cleaning effectiveness, efficiency, and safety while improving the guest experience.
Thankfully, you don't have to figure it all out alone. Margarita Amam and Yachts Mermaids are here to help you redesign your housekeeping operations.
Click here to contact Margarita.
Click here to learn more about the Mermaids Kick-Starter Bible Templates.
Click here to learn more about the YM Self-Leadership Course.
