Good housekeeping uniforms will help to keep your hardworking team smart, comfortable and protected when they’re on the job. Here, we take a look at some of the most important elements of a proper housekeeping uniform.
Housekeepers are an integral part of any hotel, motel or guesthouse. Ensuring rooms are clean, tidy and welcoming, housekeeping staff are the backbone of the hospitality industry.
Why is a Uniform Important for a Housekeeper?
Uniforms are important for people working in all aspects of the hospitality industry. Helping to build your brand image and ensure all staff look smart and presentable, uniforms make your business look professional. Housekeeping uniforms have the added advantage of protecting the wearer from the cleaning chemicals, dirt and grime they come into contact with on a daily basis.
What to Consider When Buying a Housekeeping Uniform
There are a number of things to consider when investing in a housekeeping uniform. Get these right and your housekeeping team will look good and feel comfortable throughout the working day.
Storage
Storage is a very important part of any good housekeeping uniform. Housekeepers will often need to carry pens, keys, paperwork and other essentials as they do their rounds. Choosing trousers, smocks, aprons and blouses with pockets, loops and other storage accessories will help your housekeepers to stay organized when they’re hard at work.
Alternatively, you could provide your housekeepers with tunics. Tunics can be worn over short sleeve tops to provide extra storage and to protect clothes from spills, chemicals, dirt and grime.
Comfort
Cleaning rooms, hallways and communal areas is physically demanding work. Housekeepers are often on the go from the moment they start their shifts to the time they finish. Having comfortable, hardwearing hotel uniforms will make it easier for your housekeeping team to carry out their roles to the best of their abilities.
Your staff will need different types of uniforms depending on the season. During the winter months, look for a staff uniform that will keep your housekeepers warm but won’t restrict their movement. Sweaters, polo shirts and loose-fitting long sleeve tops should help to keep your housekeepers comfortable. While in the summer, you’ll want to provide t-shirts, short sleeve shirts, drawstring trousers and garments made from lightweight, breathable linens.
If you’re looking for comfortable, unisex workwear, scrubs are another good option. Primarily worn by healthcare workers, scrubs make loose, practical and affordable uniforms for housekeepers and other people who want to stay comfortable while they work long, hard shifts.
Practicality
Practicality is one of the most important factors when putting a housekeeping uniform together. Look for items that are made from high quality materials. This will help to ensure they withstand the wear and tear of hotel life and last as long as possible. It’s also a good idea to invest in pieces that are stain resistant and fabrics that aren’t prone to wrinkles.
To ensure your housekeeping uniforms are up to scratch, buy Dickies, Red Kap or Edwards garments. All of these trusted brands produce a range of specialist workwear items, making it easy to find the right uniforms for your team.
Image
As well as being practical and comfortable, housekeeping uniforms need to be on brand. Unified workwear is one of easiest and most effective ways of cultivating a professional image in your hotel or motel. V-neck tops are a good choice for a smart, professional look, while adding blazers to your standard maid uniform is another good way to upgrade the dress code and ensure your team looks its best.
Important Elements of a Housekeeping Uniform
The exact makeup of a housekeeping or maid uniform will vary from place to place. However, there are some basic elements that most employers will insist on.
Smock
A smock is usually worn over a t-shirt or vest, though it can be worn as a top in its own right. Smocks generally have button-up fronts and can have short or long sleeves. These handy garments help to give your housekeeping team a professional look and protect the wearer from spills, dirt and grime. Smocks come in a range of colors including red, maroon and blue, and can have a button or zip front.
Housekeeping Dress
Female housekeepers can opt to wear a housekeeping dress. Most housekeeping dresses finish just above the knee so are perfect for those working in warm weather. Purpose-designed dresses come in a variety of styles and colors.
Pants
Unisex housekeeping uniforms will feature pants along with a shirt, tunic or smock. Pants can be fitted or loose and need to be comfortable and hard wearing. Cargo pants can be a good choice for housekeeping uniforms as they have a relaxed fit and allow the wearer a full range of motion.
Shirts and Tunics
Shirts and tunics are a good alternative to smocks. Tunics normally have a slim fit and so are ideal for female housekeepers, while shirts are generally a little looser so are often preferred by male workers. Both shirts and tunics give the wearer a smart, professional appearance.
PPE
The Covid-19 pandemic has made PPE an important feature of many housekeeping uniforms. Though not mandated in all areas, a lot of workers prefer wearing personal protective equipment when cleaning guest rooms and communal areas. Housekeepers often come into close contact with guests and their belongings, so it’s especially important they’re protected.
The two most important pieces of PPE for housekeepers are masks and gloves. Masks can help to prevent housekeepers from inhaling virus droplets while gloves limit touch transmission. Equipping your team with PPE can also help to reassure guests and demonstrate that your premises takes hygiene seriously.
Smart, professional and practical, housekeeping uniforms benefit both your company image and your employees. To learn more, and to find the right clothing for your team, get in touch or explore our collection of housekeeping and hospitality garments today.
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.