ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

A new smart supervision system is currently being trialled in China to monitor the work of hotel cleaners.

Smart chips are embedded in cleaning cloths, bed linen and other items at hotels in East China’s Xiacheng District.

Sensors in cleaning cloths emit a warning sound whenever these products are used in the wrong areas, for example if a cloth intended for wiping hand basins is employed to wipe up a spill from the floor. The cleaner’s error is reported to the hotel management as well as the local government via data upload.

Members of the cleaning team are required to scan the bed sheets and quilt covers before leaving the guest’s room to show that they have finished their work.

Among the hotels trialling the system is the Hangzhou Tianlai Holiday Inn. According to a spokesman the system aims to improve cleaning efficiency while also reassuring guests hygiene standards are being met.

However, he admitted to some initial concerns from guests that the chips embedded in their rooms would invade their privacy. And he cited various other issues including the large size of the chips – five centimetres in length – plus various functionality problems.

However, hotel surveys reveal that most guests welcome the new approach since it provides reassurance about the property’s hygiene standards. And customers can check the cleaning status of their room by scanning a QR code.

The smart supervision system has been piloted in 12 hotels across two chains since December 2020. It is expected to be rolled out across more properties soon.