CLEANING OF DIFFERENT SURFACES

Ceramics, Glass, Metals, Plastic Etc

• Ceramics - Ceramics are basically clayware. During manufacture different types different proportions Of
clays, with other ingredients, are mixed to produce the ceramics of the required quality for floor and wall
tiles, drain pipes, sanitary fitments, vases, cooking utensils, crockery and the like.
• Glass - The main ingredient of glass is sand which needs to be free from impurities as possible, and to
this, other chemicals are added in proportion, depending on the quality / type of glass required.
• Soda lime glass - is used for ordinary inexpensive, Hat or hollow glass ware and the room ingredients are
sand, soda ash and time stone.
• Lead crystal glass - is used for expensive hollow glass ware. It is attractive to look at, has brilliance and a
fine luster. It consists of sand, red lead and potash: These ingredients produce a slightly softer glass than
soda lime, enabling lead crystals to be cut more easily.

Types Of Glasses :
FLAT GLASS:- This is used for windows, shelves etc and is made from soda lime glass. Sheet glass is drawn
continuously from the molten mass & passes through an annealing tower, after which it can be cut into the
required, lengths-. Float glass is, in many cases, replacing plate glass as unlike plate glass, it. does not require to
be ground and polished after annealing.

• OBSCURED AND SAFETY GLASS :- Obscured glass required for bathrooms, and other places where
light but not transparency is required, often has a pattern on one side.
• Laminated glass, made in the form of a sandwich of two thin layers of glass with , a filling of vinyl-type
plastic in the middle.

Metals :
1. Silver :- Silver is a relatively soft metal which is found naturally in the earth, but more generally in the
form of silver salts, from which is metal is extracted. It is a white metal and is unaffected by water, pure
air and the majority of food stuffs.
2. Steel :- Steel is iron containing a little carbon and small quantities of other materials and is often used in
the form at pressed steel for baths, sinks etc. to prevent corrosion it is normally coated with enamel.
Type of Steel
1. Cromium :- Cromium is the coating on steel used for bath tub handles, shower fitments etc. These can
become the water spotted and greasy but will not tarnish. Washing and rubbing up should be sufficient to
keep the shine.
2. Brass :- Brass is used for door handle occasionally stair rods taps, ornaments etc. Many of items may be
lacquered when, tarnishing is avoided. Unlacquered articles need polishing with a brass polish.
3. Copper :- Copper is more frequent found as utensils in the kitchen than in the house keeping department.

Plastics :
Polyvinyl Chloride:This has many uses. Plastic floor finishes in tile and sheet form are generally based on
polyvinyl chloride and it maybe incorporated with inert fillers, pigments and plasticizers to give a
homogeneous mixture, or it may form a surface layer on some suitable backing.
Stone
A variety of natural stones are used as hard surfaces in hotel establishments. The popular ones are marble,
sandstone, granite, quartzite, and slate. Stones are used mainly as floor finishes and external wall surfaces.
Other areas where they may be found are tabletops, countertops and tops of vanity units, furniture, decorative
idols, and ashtrays.
Stones such as marble are often used as flooring and on walls in luxury bathrooms and foyers.
Natural Stones In Use
Some natural stones commonly used in hotels are as follows :
Marble: This is metamorphosed and crystallized limestone. It is available in many colours and patterns-white,
black, grey, green, brown, and pink. It can be given a glossy or a matt finish.
Sandstone: This sedimentary rock is composed of compressed sand.
Granite: This is a granular, crystalline stone composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
Quartzite: This is a compact granular stone made up of silica.
Slate: This is a grey or blue-grey stone formed when layers of mud and silt build up and solidify over millions
of years. These layers allow slate to be easily made into slabs.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Stone surfaces may be cleaned using synthetic detergent and hot water. Stains may be removed using fine
abrasives. For large areas, a wet-pickup vacuum' cleaner may be used. Use of acids and strong alkalis should be
avoided, as they may cause pits on the surface.
Leather
Leather is made from the skins of various animals-including sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle-by tanning or a
similar process. It is one of the most durable and versatile of all natural materials. The skins are treated in
various ways to give different varieties of leather, ranging from the soft, flexible types such as suede and kid to
the tougher types such as hide and sturdy varieties of pigskin. Leather can be dyed in a variety of colours and is
used for belts, shoes, gloves, purses, wallets, luggage, upholstery, desk tops, and book bindings. Leather is
expensive and should be kept supple to prevent cracking. Leather also picks up oil and grease readily. General
cleaning of leather involves daily dusting or suction cleaning. In case" of soiling, wipe the leather with a soft
cloth wrung put-of-warm water and mild synthetic detergent. Follow with a damp-dusting with clean water and
then dry thoroughly. Occasionally leather may be polished with a good furniture polish cream to keep it supple.
Solvents should not be used on leather as they will stiffen it.
Wood
Wood is hard, compact, fibrous, and porous. Good wood m; and beautiful surface. It is an extremely
versatile surface material, with its varied colours and different grain, patterns, and is used throughout .Being a
porous material, wood absorbs water as well as dust fungal attacks and pest infestations.
Protective Treatments for Wood
Wood surfaces often require extra protection since they are mostly porous and absorb moisture. They also
tend to get stained and scratched. The most common treatments are listed below, followed
1. Beeswax: This is the comb material secreted by bees. It is applied to solid wood furniture and floors. To
be effective as a protective finish, several coats of it need be applied. It should be allowed to dry and
rubbed in well to get a good gloss.
2. Varnish: This is a clear, pale solution of a resinous substance such as amber, cop or shellac dissolved in
oil, turpentine, or alcohol. Either natural or synthetic resins may be used to make varnish. On drying,
 varnish forms a hard and transparent film on the wood surface. The finish may be glossy or matt. Varnish
is most commonly applied on wooden floors, furniture, and doors.
3. Lacquer Shellac or cellulose lacquer: It is a durable finish applied to solid wood furniture. The finish
may be glossy or matt. It is damaged by water, heat, and solvents.
4. Oil: Tung oil or linseed oil.
5. French polish : This is a solution of shellac and methylated spirit. It is applied c small furniture items
made of solid wood. However, this finish is easily damaged t water, heat, and solvents.
6. Paint : Essentially, paint is made up of a pigment dissolved in an organic binder The function of paint
may be to provide protection or decoration or both. The unique property of paint is that it also lends colour
along with protection to the wood surface. Paints are available for various effects, such as glossy, matt,
silk, and pearl. This finish, however, is damaged by abrasives and heat.
Care and cleaning procedures for wooden surfaces
Wood, being porous, deteriorates in contact with an excess of water. Therefore, the least possible amount of
water should be used for cleaning wood. Always dry-dust the surface. Then remove excess soiling by damp-
dusting in case of small articles and light damp-mopping for larger surfaces.