Every great guest experience begins long before check-in. It starts with the unseen yet essential work of housekeepers. They are the heartbeat of hospitality—the people whose dedication keeps hotels running, reputations intact, and guests returning again and again.
At Clean the World, we believe sustainability and guest satisfaction both begin with the same people: the housekeepers who care for our guests and our planet. This September, we are proud to launch the Housekeeping Heroes campaign to shine a light on their impact across the global hospitality industry.
Why Housekeepers Are the Heart of Hospitality
Cleanliness remains the single most important factor in driving guest satisfaction and loyalty. A study by P&G Professional found that 78% of hotel guests say cleanliness is the number one reason they choose where to stay (pgpro.co.uk).
On the other side, poor housekeeping is one of the fastest ways to lose business. In the UK, 78% said unpleasant bathrooms it would stop them returning to a hospitality business. (spectrumcleaningsolutions.co.uk).
Reputation is also at stake: 90% of consumers say that simply reading a review mentioning poor cleanliness would stop them from booking (andybeal.com).
Housekeepers don’t just clean rooms. They protect brand trust, drive loyalty, and sit at the very core of a hotel’s commercial success.
A Global Workforce That Keeps Hospitality Running
Housekeepers are the industry’s largest workforce—and without them, hospitality doesn’t function. In the U.S., the pandemic highlighted just how fragile the sector can be. As of May 2022, there were 364,990 hotel housekeeping jobs—a 22% decline from 2019 when there were 467,270 positions (MarketWatch).
Across the world, hundreds of millions of housekeepers power the cleaning economy. Every guest arrival, every five-star review, every successful booking is made possible because this workforce holds the industry together.
The Challenges They Shoulder for the Industry
Housekeeping is one of the most physically demanding roles in hospitality. The CDC notes that housekeepers frequently clean 10–20 rooms per shift, often with only minutes per room—an intensity that leads to some of the highest rates of musculoskeletal injury in the sector (CDC/NIOSH).
Further research shows that repetitive bending, lifting, and pushing heavy carts create chronic injuries and long-term health issues (Work-Fit).
A large-scale study in Spain confirmed the toll:
- 51% of housekeepers suffer chronic pain in at least one body region.
- The most common injuries affect the lower back (28.7%), wrists (23.7%), neck (21.6%), and shoulders (19.9%).
- Despite these risks, many are employed on temporary or fixed contracts, with limited job security (Sánchez-Rodríguez et al., 2022).
These figures reveal an uncomfortable truth: the workers most responsible for guest satisfaction often face the most precarious conditions.
Housekeepers as Heroes of Sustainability
At Clean the World, we see every day how housekeepers are also catalysts for sustainability. By collecting and recycling used soaps and bottled amenities, these teams have helped us divert millions of kilograms of plastic from landfill and distribute millions of recycled soap bars to vulnerable communities worldwide.
As Anna Kusma, Executive Housekeeper at the Conservatorium Hotel, Amsterdam, explains:
“Clean the World allows us to contribute to a greener industry. I find it personally important to give back to nature and societies alike. As executive housekeeper, I am proud to see our colleagues feel empowered to contribute, as we have recycled a vast amount of soap bars and guest amenities over the past few years.” — Anna Kusma
Anna’s words show that when housekeepers are empowered, they become leaders who not only uphold hospitality standards but also drive sustainability forward.
Housekeepers as Heroes of Sustainability
This September, we’ll be sharing the stories of Housekeeping Heroes from across our hotel partners worldwide. Each spotlight will highlight their critical role in sustaining guest satisfaction, protecting brand reputation, and making the hospitality industry greener.
Celebrate with us by posting and sharing stories using #HousekeepingHeroes and tagging @CleanTheWorld.
If your property hasn’t yet joined Clean the World, now is the time. Partnering with us honours your housekeeping team, reduces waste, and strengthens your sustainability story.
Together, we can show the world that housekeepers are not just behind the scenes—they are the heartbeat of hospitality.
Join the movement at cleantheworld.org.
