ENGLISH FOR

HOUSEKEEPERS
Abarca, Jan Kenneth
Abogado, Karl Ivan
Carrido, Misty
Ilan, Kyle Angela
Jacob, Kryzz Johncel
Oblina, Marionne
Savilla, Noelle Mickaela
Vasquez, Lawrence
 Checking in a hotel, we see different
staff working. There are workers in
the reception area welcoming guests.
They provide us with clean and
comfortable rooms. But who works
behind the scenes to provide us these
things? When we watch dramas on
televisions with big, cozy, and clean
mansions, do you ever wonder who’s
responsible for it? Maybe we have
other friends, relatives, and
acquaintances who have people in
their house that are responsible for
tidying the house and doing other
house chores. Who are they? What do
they do? Read on to find out!
What is a housekeeeper?
A housekeeper is a domestic
service professional who has
general responsibility for the
maintenance and cleaning of a
private household. A
housekeeper's primary job
responsibility is to maintain the
employer's home in a clean and
presentable manner at all times.
([Link], 2020)
What is a housekeeper’s duties?
A housekeeper's duties may
include any of the following:
Cleaning the interior of the
home and the immediate areas
outside (patios, porches, decks,
walks)
Kitchen maintenance - dishes,
cupboards, pantry, counters
and floors.
Laundry (Clothing &
household linens)
What is a housekeeper’s duties?
Bed making, routine bedding
& linen changes
Meal Preparation & Service
Assisting with the cooking and
serving for special events
Grocery shopping and other
household errands
Keeping the household
supplies fully stocked
Receive & serve guests
Pet care
What is a housekeeper’s duties?
Plant care (household)
Silver Polishing
Secure/supervise
tradesmen/contracors
Organization: may rotate
seasonal clothing in closets,
maintain pantry and routinely
clear out of date and spoiled
items.
House-sitting while the employer
is out of town
Occasional childcare
What is a housekeeper’s duties?
Plant care (household)
Silver Polishing
Secure/supervise
tradesmen/contracors
Organization: may rotate
seasonal clothing in closets,
maintain pantry and routinely
clear out of date and spoiled
items.
House-sitting while the employer
is out of town
Occasional childcare
 Now that we are familiar with
what housekeepers are and their
responsibilities, doesn’t it intrigue
you when you hear unfamiliar
words from them? When
housekeepers talk to each other
and you feel like they are
speaking an alien language?
Don’t fret! It’s not an alien
language but it's a job-specific
English language. In this
magazine, you’re about to learn
English for Housekeepers so keep
reading!
 PILFERAGE

The crime of taking some one’s property

without permission.

example:
The hotel room that was just vacated by a
guest was missing quite a few items
including towels, bathrobes, and cutlery. It
appears that someone has committed
pilferage
 QUATS

Quaternary ammonium compounds, used

as disinfectant.

example:
I prefer using quats than bleach because it
is more effective in eliminating germs and
safer to use than bleach.
 ACCOMODATION
CHECKLIST

List to help the housekeeping staff to

check all the items to be check inside the
room.

example:
The housekeeping staff regularly conducts
accommodation inspections with the
accommodation checklist as their guide.
 CHAMOIS LEATHER

Chamois leather is used mainly in cleaning and polishing.

Originally skins of chamois goat antelope were used, but
now they are usually skivers, that is, split skins of sheep
or simulated leather. It is used wet for cleaning
windows.

example:
There should always be a stock of chamois leather
available so as to avoid using abrasive cloths that can
damage windows, other furniture and equipment when
cleaning.
 DOUBLE LOCKED (DL)

An occupied room in which the deadbolt has been

turned to prohibit entry from the corridor. Only a
grand master key or an emergency key can open it.

example:
A fight that has transpired inside a double locked room
could not be immediately alleviated by the staff since
an emergency key was needed to open the [Link] was
requested that a room that can be double locked was
to be reserved for a certain celebrity guest.
 ANTISEPTIC

An agent that makes the environment non-

conducive to the growth and reproduction of
disease-causing microbes.

example:
Antiseptics are different from disinfectants in that
they are applied to living tissues (the body) whereas
the latter is to non-living surfaces. The housekeeper
mistook the antiseptic for the disinfectant which
resulted in a barely cleaned countertop.
 CHECK - OUT

A room from which the guest has

already departed / vacated / checked-
out.

example:
There haven’t been any check-outs from
guests as the storm has yet to pass.
 DND CARD

A ‘do not disturb’ card is hung outside the

room to inform hotel staff or visitors that the
occupant does not wish to be disturbed.

example:
A guest has filed a complaint against an attendant
stating that their wish to not be disturbed was not
respected by the staff. However, on the defense of the
attendant, a DND card was not hung outside the door.
 AMENITY

A service or item offered to guests or

placed in guest rooms for convenience
and comfort, at no extra cost.

example:
That particular hotel we stayed at last
summer is famous for the various
amenities they offer.
 DUE OUT

A room which the guest is due to

checkout that day.

example:

Five rooms are in due out status as

indicated in the room status report.
CAUSTIC ALKALIS

Very strong alkalis such as Sodium

hydroxide (caustic soda).

example:
Clogged pipes are extremely hard to clean with
typical drain cleaners. Thus, I make sure to use
products that contain sodium hydroxide (caustic
soda) for more efficient cleaning.
DNCO (DID NOT CHECK OUT)

The guest made arrangements to settle his or

her account (and thus is not a skipper), but has
left without informing the front office.

example:
The hotel has encountered so many cases of
DCNO that they now decided to create policies
that prevent them from happening.
 AREA INVENTORY LIST

A list of all items within a particular area that

needs cleaning by or attention of housekeeping
personal.

example:
For each type of guest room, a different area
inventory list is needed. The attendant was given
the wrong area inventory list for the type of
guest room he was to inspect.
 CARBORUNDUM

Silicon Carbide, used as an abrasive.

example:
The regular sponge I use to clean my
stovetop is no longer as effective in removing
grease and grime buildup, so I switched to
using carborundum sponges.
 DEPARTURE ROOM

A room from which the guest has departed,

settled the account, returned the room keys, and
left the hotel. It is also called a check out room
or vacated room.

example:
The attendant was flabbergasted to see the
state of the departure room.
 BACK OF THE HOUSE

The functional areas of the hotel in which employees

have little or no guest contact, such as the
engineering and maintenance department, laundry
room and so on.
example:
The hotel personnel were reprimanded because they allowed a
guest to enter the back of the house areas, particularly the
kitchen. It was possible that the guest had known a back-of-
the-house staff and thought it was acceptable to enter.A
hotel’s success heavily depends on the back-of-the-house
operations.
 CAPITAL BUDGETS

These allocate the use of capital assets that have a

life span considerably in excess of one year, these
are assets that are not normally used up in day to
day operations

example:
Preparing capital budgets is necessary to
understand and avoid risks associated with
investment opportunities.
 DEEP CLEANING

Intensive or specialized cleaning undertaken in

guestrooms or public areas, often conducted
according to a schedule or on a special project
basis.

example:
The hotel took on a new catering project which
meant that a deep cleaning of the dining area was
to ensue.
 BACK TO BACK

Describes a heavy rate of check-outs and

check-ins on the same day, so that as soon as
room is made up, a new guest checks into it.

example:
Due to an unforeseen situation, I had to extend
my stay at the hotel for another day which
meant that I had to make back-to-back
reservations for the same room.
 DAMP DUSTING

The method of cleaning where the items to

be cleaned or wiped with a damp cloth.

example:
If a regular yellow duster doesn’t remove all the
dirt, then you can try damp dusting to effectively
clean the furniture.
 DUTCH WIFE
Another term for
the sewing kit
provided as a
guest amenity.

example:

It was fortunate
that a Dutch Wife
was provided by
the hotel; I can
now wear the
pants I ripped
earlier in the week.
 GUEST ROOM KEY

A key which opens on one guest room

when it is not double locked

example:
The hotel has seen quite a lot of incidences
involving guests losing their guest room key
which then invoked a modification of the policies
regarding approval of requests for key
replacement. This is also to prevent unauthorized
persons to have access to guest rooms.
 CANDLE-WICK

A soft cotton thread that makes the

candle burn.

example:
It appears as though there was a fault in the
production; the candle I just bought did not
have a candle-wick.
 DUVETS

Quilts filled with down feathers or

synthetic fibres. Also referred to
sometimes as comforters.
example:
The housekeeper had quite a hard time
removing the stains from the duvet caused by
a drink spillage.
 BATH LINEN

It includes a bath towel, hand

towel, face towel, etc.

example:
It is important that bath linens are
always replaced and cleaned after use.
 H.W.C

Handle
with
Care
example:
Large boxes labeled with the H.W.C.
initials were littered all over the floor
pantry. They seem to contain new
equipment, glassware, and linens.
 FLOOR PANTRY
A service room
provided on each
floor for GRA’s to
store cleaning
agents, equipment,
guest supplies,
guestroom linen,
and maid’s cart.

example:
The floor pantry was included in the list of
service rooms to be expanded since recently
acquired equipment could no longer be stored
in the cramped room.
 CRINKLE SHEET

Distinctive woven sheets to cover

and protect the blanket. It is now
called a third sheet.
example:
The housekeeper forgot to put a crinkle
sheet on the last bed she made, hence, the
guest filed a complaint and she was
scolded by the manager for her negligence.
 FLOOR PAR

The quantity of each type of linen

that is required to outfit all
rooms serviced on that floor.

example:
A wrong estimation of the floor par
resulted in some guest rooms’
unavailability for occupancy.
 CRIBS

A cot for babies, provided to guest

on request.
example:
A guest has brought their own crib to the
hotel stating that they prefer to use their
own instead of what was offered by the
staff.
 GUEST LOAN ITEMS

Guest supplies not normally found in a

guest room, but available upon request-
for example, hair dryers and ironing
boards.
example:
The last time I went on a vacation, I had
forgotten to bring my phone charger with me. I
had hoped that the hotel’s guest loan items
included a universal phone charger, though it
was unfortunate that they did not.
 BUFFING

To smooth the floor with a low speed

floor polishing.

example:
Floor buffing of commercial places are
usually done every month to maintain a
clean and polished look.
 BUILDERS

A builder is defined as a compound that has

no surface-active properties but increases the
bulk and the efficiency.

example:
I prefer not to use detergents with builders
containing more than 0.5 percent phosphate
because I heard they were considered harmful
to the environment.
 BURNISHING

Polishing the floor with a high speed floor

machine to achieve an extremely high
gloss.

example:
Burnishing a floor after a buffing
ensures a really shiny finish.
GRAVEYARD SHIFT

Night shift.

example:
The graveyard shift is often worked by
staff who are unafraid of the eerie
atmosphere of the workplace.
CLEANING SUPPLIES

Cleaning agents and small cleaning

equipment used in the cleaning of
guestrooms and public areas in the hotel.

example:
The cleaning supplies are usually stored in
hand-caddies for easy transport.
 GRAND MASTER
EMERGENCY KEYS

A key which opens all guest rooms and doors

even when they are double locked.

example:
A guest was causing a scene at the hotel
lobby because she was demanding for the
grand master key to be given to her
despite it being against hotel policies.
 CONTINGENCY
PLAN

Planning done for uncertain events.

example:
Have you gone through the hotel’s updated
contingency plan? It was modified to
include the guidelines set by the
Department of Health for business
operations during the pandemic.
 CREASE

A line made on linen by folding or

pressing

example:

There should be no unnecessary

creases on the crinkle sheet as you
make the bed.
FREQUENCY SCHEDULE

A schedule that indicates how often

each item on an area is to be cleaned
or maintained.

example:
The frequency schedule shows that
bathrooms should be cleaned before a
guest books the specific room and daily
for the duration of the stay.
 HAND - CADDY

A portable container for storing and

transporting cleaning supplies carried
on a room through maid cart.

example:
To ensure that no cleaning supply is
forgotten, labels are written on each
compartment of hand-caddies.
 INVENTORY

Stocks of merchandise, operating

supplies, and other items held for
future use in a hospitality operation.
example:
The inventory audit was delayed because
the inventory managers have yet to
provide the auditor a copy of the
inventory reports.
 HOPPER

Strong metal container for

disposing of garbage.

example:
Rows of hoppers are used in hotels to
ensure proper waste management.
 JOHNNY MOP

Toilet brush used for cleaning of

w.c.
example:
A combination of a johnny mop and an
aggressive cleaning agent is enough to
clean a toilet bowl. However, if a johnny
mop is not available, then a good-quality
bristle brush can be used.
 KAOLIN

China Clay

example:
The tea set that was used in the small
afternoon gathering was made of kaolin.
The intricate details on the porcelain
were particularly eye-catching.
 LACQUER

Coloured varnish made of shellac

dissolved in alcohol
example:
I noticed that some of the furnishings in the
guest room had a shiny gloss to them. I was
intrigued by how such sheen was maintained
that I asked an attendant about it and learned
that it was actually just a coating of lacquer.
 LINEN

Material woven from fibres of the flax plant.

The term ‘linen’ is also used loosely to denote
daily launderable articles in the linen

example:
Because of a wrong estimation made on the
floor par, there was shortage of linen bed
sheets.
 LINEN CHUTE

A passage in the form of a tunnel for sending

soiled linen from the floor pantries of all floors
to a central place near the laundry, from where
it can be collected by the laundry staff.
example:
Since the linen chute was undergoing
maintenance, the laundry staff had to personally
collect soiled linens from each floor pantry.
 LOCKOUT

The room has been locked so that the guest

cannot re-enter until a hotel official clears him
or her.
example:
An altercation between a guest and an attendant
resulted in other staff and guests intervening, and
the instigator prevented from returning to their
guest room that was on lockout until the police
arrived.
 LOUNGE

A place in a hotel where a guest can sit back or

relax. It is in public area furnished for
relaxation.

example:
The lounge is currently being renovated to
accommodate the new furnishings bought by
the owners from the local artisan.
 LUGGAGE RACK

A furniture item
provided in
guestrooms for
placing the guest’s
luggage on.

example:
The lounge is currently being renovated to
accommodate the new furnishings bought by
the owners from the local artisan.
 MINI BAR

A fixture in modern guestrooms, this is a

miniature refrigerator stocked with juices,
liquor, and snack for the convenience of guests.

example:
It is very relaxing and convenient to have a
mini bar.
 MITERING

A method for contouring a sheet or blanket to

fit the corner of a mattress in a smooth and
neat manner.

example:
The housekeepers perform the mitering.
 NAPERY

Table linen

example:
The theme of the dinner was accentuated by
the exquisite design and folding of the napery.
 NIGHT STAND

A nightstand is a small stand or cabinet

designed to stand beside a bed or elsewhere in
a bedroom, as a place to put anything likely to
be required during the night; also called night
table.

example:
The night stand is located near the bed.
 R.D.M

Room division manager. A person who heads

the department responsible for location of
guest room including front office and
housekeeping.
example:
The new room division manager seems to be
more adept at his job than the previous as
shown by the immediate positive change in
feedback regarding guest service.
 ROLL OUT

Removal of extra bed from the rooms when

the guest checks out.

example:
It usually takes more than one housekeeper to
do the roll-out.
 ROOM STATUS
REPORT

A report that allows the housekeeping department

to say the present status of the room.

example:
The room status report indicates that two
rooms are in the clean status, two are in
inspected, and five are in dirty.
 SANI- BIN

Metal bin with a lit kept in wash room for throwing

of disposed toilet rolls.

example:
The sani-bin in that particular guest room has
yet to be replaced of its plastic lining.
 SLEEPER

The guest has settled his or her account and left the
hotel, but the front office staff has failed to
properly update the room’s status.

example:
The sleepers are fired after
the manager found out about their
mishandling of room status.
 SOILED LINEN

Dirty and stained linen that required laundering.

example:
How the guest in room number 102 did made
clean linen into soiled linen over the night?
 SQUEEGEE

Manual cleaning equipment with a rubber or metal

blade and a long handle, used for removing excess
moisture from hard surfaces such as floors and
window panes.
example:
I am lucky to get the last squeegee available in
the open section because it is hard to clean the
windows using wet cotton cloth.
 STAIN

A spot or discoloration left on fabrics from contact

with and absorption
of foreign substances.
example:
Never leave a stain unclean while washing the
linens, do you understand newbie?
 STUDIO BED

This is dual purpose bed that is used as divan in the

daytime and
converts into a bed in the night after the removal of
bolsters and covers.

example:
I was tasked to clean the rooms with studio
bed in it which means I only need to clean four
rooms.
 SURFACTANTS

Surface-active compounds that impart a good

wetting power, emulsifying
power, and suspending power to detergents.

example:
I The table in the cafeteria is too greasy and
sticky that I need to put a lot of surfactants
to let it slipperier.
 SURVEILLANCE
EQUIPMENT

Equipment such as CCTVs (Closet circuit televisions)

that help to
closely observe suspicious activities and persons.

example:
No need to have an anxiety in your safety here
in the hotel, there are surveillance equipment
surrounding the place.
 SWAB CLOTH

A soft, absorbent cleaning cloth used for wet

cleaning work, such as for
wash basin, baths, and so on.

example:
There are new delivered swab
clothes outside that needs to be signed on.
 TARNISH

Group of housekeeping
staffs working together in order to achieve same
goals.

example:
Big establishments use team cleaning as their
main cleaning system because it is cost-
effective and ensures consistent results
throughout custodial tasks.
 TENT CARDS

Hotel publicity cards in the shape of tents placed in

guestrooms.

example:
I was assigned to replace old tent cards to a
new one in every guest room of the hotel to
let the guest be updated from the offers and
discounts of the hotel services.
 TOOTH GLASS

A glass placed on the vanity unit as a guest supply

and used for gargling or to keep the guest’s
toothbrush, dentures, or other similar items in.
example:
I already replaced the tooth
glass in room number 612 as ordered by the
head.
 UPHOLSTERY

Textiles, padding, springs and other materials used

for decorating furniture and rendering it more
comfortable.
example:
The bamboo chair will be changed after the
upholstery arrived.
 VANITY AREA

A unit comprising a wash basin and mirror,

surrounded by flat area where soap, dental kits,
saving kits, and tooth glasses are kept.
example:
The vanity area must be cleaned every day.
 VENEER

A thin coating of finer wood on another wooden

surface.

example:
I removed the old veneer in the TV stand and
replaced a new one.
 WARDROBE

A tall cabinet or closet for keeping clothes.

example:
It looks like that wardrobe cannot fit all the
clothes that you have. You ought to buy a
bigger one.
 WATER CLOSET

Sanitary fittings consisting of a toilet bowl and

cistern.
example:
A water closet was built inside the bathroom
as per the request of the new owners of the
house.
 WICKER

Wicker is derived from the shoots of willow plants.

It is used for making woven items such as bread
baskets, flower baskets, mats etc.
example:
I had arranged the wicker chair in the best
place that it can be placed.
 FILIPINO HOUSEKEEPERS:
WHAT YOU NEED TO
KNOW
People tend to neglect how a home should

be sustained because of being busier every

day due to the fast pacing society. And

sometimes, most households could not

manage to do house chores and other

cleaning or maintenance because of lack

of time or lack of ability. Hence, the roles

of housekeepers become necessary and

become in demand especially Filipino

housekeepers. Filipino housekeepers are

said to be very skilled and hardworking,

and they are also highly regarded for their

dedication and passion. Housekeeping

refers to the management of house

duties and chores, and its primary

objective is to maintain a safe and

clean environment susceptible to

comfortability. A thoroughly cleaned,

well-maintainedenvironment promotes a

feeling of safety, comfort, and

enjoyment. In a clean living space,

nobody worries that their family is being

exposed to unsanitary conditions. As a

result, housekeepers are indeed expected

to promote cleanliness and orderliness. A

housekeeper can be employed as a live-in

or live-out (daily), on a temporary or

permanent basis, either working on a full-

time or part-time basis, and some studies

suggest that Filipino housekeepers have

the highest number across the globe. The

followinginformation focus on Filipino

Housekeepers; things you need to know,

and what you might want to know.

 I. Qualities, Abilities, and
Responsibilities of Housekeepers
The housekeeper can organize the home in

general and they have all the

responsibilities of daily and deep cleaning.

Moreover, they know and understand the

care of the home and they have

knowledge and training informal service.

Moreover, a high-quality housekeeper

understands the formal service which

includes service of invites, set up the

etiquette table, floral arrangements, and

laundry. Our Filipino Housekeeper duties

and responsibilities may include, but are

not limited to the following:

• Keep all rooms vacuumed, dusted, clean,

and tidy at all times

• Maintain the Families Laundry, Ironing and

Dry Cleaning

• Care of fine china, Silver and crystal

• Change all Bed Linen, Towels etc

•Feed and Walk the dog daily

• Shop as requested or put away weekly

groceries when delivered

• Cook Nutritional Family Meals

• Assist with preparation for dinner parties

• Flower arrangement

• Dealing with contractors

• Taking messages

• Running Daily Errands

II. Top sources of Housekeepers in

the Philippines and their Top
Destinations
According to Rappler, most domestic

workers in the Philippines are likely to be

from the Visayas regions, Bicol, Southern

Tagalog, and Northern Mindanao, and

most of them are housekeepers. Moreover,

the top 5 destinations of Domestic Helpers,

primarily housekeepers are Hong Kong,

Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi

Arabia, and Qatar.

 III. The Salary of Housekeepers
The usual salary of housekeepers varies

depending on whether she is live-in

and where you live in the Philippines. In

the Manila region a maid will cost around

P3000 per month, in richer neighborhoods

such as Makati a maid can earnP5000 a

month. If you live away from the capital

then wages will be around P1500 a month

depending on duties. But according to the

research conducted by “Payscale”, the

average base salary of most of the

housekeepers here in the Philippines

ranges from 12k-121k. However, in other

countries like Dubai, employers

implemented the payment of US$400

in minimum monthly salaryor

approximately 20k per month to their

employees.

IV. Why are Filipino Housekeepers

in Demand?
The main reason for this is because some

OFWs encounter different issues making

them want to go home to their country and

be with their family, which is also the main

cause on why some agencies are lacking in

Filipino Domestics Housekeepers. It was

also said in other articles that most of the

employers trust Filipinos because of

having a great personality than any

other Housekeepers with different

nationalities and that Filipinos are also

better at doing their jobs making

Filipinos highly in demand in other

[Link] was also said in other articles

that most of the employers trust Filipinos

than any other Housekeepers ofdifferent

[Link], Filipino

housekeepers are highly regarded

around the world as they offer dedication,

loyalty and competence combined with

common sense which are all essential

attributes in a top class housekeeper.

 V. Problems Encountered by
Filipino Housekeepers
[Link] Comfort zone is gone

Psychologists interviewed agreed that

Filipinos working abroad are more prone to

episodes of depression than their

counterparts back home. The main

reason is that they usually do not have

a strong support system unlike living in

their hometown where they have their

loved ones near them.

[Link] Recruitment and Abusive

Employers

Most Filipinos are fooled by smooth-talking

illegal recruiters leading to unprotected

employment and that will eventually lead

to unreported abuse from employers.

This is the cause of a lack of education

and awareness on how to evade illegal

recruiters.

[Link] in Jail for Crimes they did not

commit.

Sometimes Filipinos get into trouble and

bear punishment which they did not

commit. This is sometimes just the cause of

mistaken identity or just simply framed.

VI. Laws/Agencies/Authorities
that Protects the Welfare of
housekeepers and/or Domestic
HelperS
A. RA 9262 is known as The Anti-Violence

against Women and their Children Act of

2004. Recognizing "the need to protect

the family and its members particularly

women and children from violence and

threats to their safety and security",RA

9262was signed by former President

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 2,

2004
B. Republic Act 8369, otherwise known

as the Family Courts Act, 1997, provides

for the establishment of family courts in

major urban centres to hear cases of

domestic violence (Philippines June 2004,

para. 209).The Philippine government

stated in its June 2004 report submitted

to the United Nations (UN) Committee for

the Elimination of All Forms of

Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

that this approach is intended to

provide additional protection to victims of

domestic abuse (ibid).

[Link] Philippine government

acknowledged in its report to CEDAW

that "the NGO community could be

credited not only for raising domestic

violence as a public issue, but also for

providing services long before [the]

government [did]" (June 2004, para. 221).

[Link] -an advocacy group which

promotes women's rights and provides

counselling to abused women

(BusinessWorld 19 Mar. 2004)

References:
[Link]

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[Link]

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nd%20Debts%2C%20Lack,migrant%20Fili

pino%20workers'%20money%20problems.

[Link]

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Exercise #1:

Direction: Match the definitions in column A with their corresponding terminologies in column B.

Column A Column B

___________ 1. It is another term for the sewing kit a. disinfectant

provided as a guest amenity.
b. back of the house
___________ 2. It is a compound that has no surface-
active properties but increases the bulk and the c. water closet
efficiency of a detergent. d. room status report
___________ 3. An agent that makes the environment e. hand-caddy
non-conducive to the growth and reproduction of
disease-causing microbes. f. carborundum

___________ 4. A report that allows the housekeeping g. builders

department to say the present status of the room.
h. amenity
___________ 5. A portable container for storing and
transporting cleaning supplies carried on a room i. Dutch wife
through maid cart.
j. wardrobe
___________ 6. Sanitary fittings consisting of a toilet k. hoppers
bowl and cistern.
l. antiseptic
___________ 7. The functional areas of the hotel in which
employees have little or no guest contact. m. guest loan items

___________ 8. Guest supplies not normally found in a

guest room, but available upon request.

___________ 9. Silicon Carbide, used as an abrasive.

___________ 10. A tall cabinet or closet for keeping

clothes.
Exercise # 2:

Direction: Write true, if the statement is TRUE and FALSE if it is not.

_______1. Vacant is a unit comprising a wash basin and mirror, surrounded by flat area where soap, dental
kits, saving kits, and tooth glasses are kept.

_______2. Room status discrepancy is a situation in which the housekeeping department’s description of a
room’s status differs from the room status information with the front office.

_______3. Runner is also called as table linen.

_______4. Skipper is a furniture item provided in guestrooms for placing the guest’s luggage on.
_______5. Turn down service is a special service provided by the housekeeping department in which a
room attendant enters the guest room in the early evening to restock supplies, tidy the room and turn
down the covers of the bed.
_______6. To give a new look to a room by re-decorating, renewing soft furnishings, and possibly changing
the carpet and touching up the furniture is called refurbish.
_______7. The room is vacant if the room has been cleaned and inspected and is ready for an arriving guest.
_______8. Sani-bin are small metal or plastic containers with lids, kept in toilets for collection of soiled
sanitary towels.
_______9. Spotting is a vacation interval hotels. These involve individuals purchasing the ownership of
accommodations for a specific period of time, usually one or two weeks a year. These owners then can
occupy the unit during that time. Owner may also have the unit rented out by the management company
that operates the hotel.
_______10. Pallet is dual purpose bed that is used as divan in the daytime and converts into a bed in the
night after the removal of bolsters and covers.
Exercise #3:

Direction: Put the word that correspond each item.

7 4 2

10

9 6

HORIZONTAL

1. A discoloration caused by a chemical reaction between a metal and substances found in water, air and food. Different
metals undergo different types of tarnishing.

3. A service or item offered to guests or placed in guest rooms for convenience and comfort, at no extra cost.

5. A method for contouring a sheet or blanket to fit the corner of a mattress in a smooth and neat manner.

7. Quaternary ammonium compounds, used as disinfectant.

9. The guest has settled his or her account and left the hotel, but the front office staff has failed to properly.

VERTICAL

2. The crime of taking some one’s property without permission.

4. A spot or discoloration left on fabrics from contact with and absorption of foreign substances.

6. A cot for babies, provided to guest on request.

8. A tall cabinet or closet for keeping clothes.

10. An agent that makes the environment non-conducive to the growth and reproduction of disease-causing microbes.
Exercise #4:

Direction: Rearrange the jumbled letters to create meaningful words connected to housekeeping.

1. Ueggagl Krac

2. Zeraozrt

3. aistn

4. Niim Arb

5. eeeeqgsu

6. ueglon

7. gireimnt

8. eyshutrpol

9. Eryanp

10. ophpre
Exercise #5:

Direction: Find the words that is listed below.

V H G D P V D Y R W A H T E N
S F N L A W A E R E T N Q K S
U S I A M A K N Q E A N R T L
U R P T V C U O I T P E L E V
M P E X I Q C S C T F A A L A
U Y E W L D W A E U Y T N L O
R Y K A F K F V R H S A H A L
P X E U N R S B O S I S R P Q
H P S N U U I M T H I W G E G
Y D U S N S D E I P U C C O A
B B O U H W I W Z K T B K M R
E X H G V I E W X L W B X A Y
D R V C M H O L Y G O A W Z E
A N L C T U P H O L S T E R Y
A X A M V Z O L B Y R K Q D U
ANSWER KEY:

Exercise #1

1. i. Dutch wife 6. c. water closet

2. g. builders 7. b. back of the house

3. l. antiseptic 8. m. guest loan items

4. d. room status report 9. f. carborundum

5. e. hand-caddy 10. j. wardrobe

Exercise #2

1. False 6. True

2. True 7. False

3. False 8. True

4. False 9. False

5. True 10. False

Exercise #3

1. Tarnish 6. Crib

2. Pilferage 7. Quats

3. Amenity 8. Wardrobe

4. Stain 9. Sleeper

5. Mitering 10. Antiseptic

Exercise #4

1. Luggage rack 6. Lounge

2. Terrazzo 7. Mitering

3. Stain 8. Upholstery

4. Mini bar 9. Napery

5. Squeegee 10. Hopper

Exercise#5

1. Housekeeping 6. Refurbish

2. Murphy bed 7. Surfactant

3. Napery 8. Upholstery

4. Occupied 9. Vanity area

5. Pallet 10. Wicker