composition-care-cleaning-different-surfaces

Types, Composition, and Cleaning of Hard Surfaces

Objectives

To be able torealize the importance of maintaining hard surfacesgain knowledge regarding the types of hard surfaces

found in various areas of the hotel.understand the importance and methods of protecting

hard surfaces from wear and tear, tarnish etc.assimilate the methods of cleaning and maintaining

the hard surfaces.

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Housekeeping staff must have an insight into

the types, composition, care and maintenance

of all hard surfaces they are responsible for

cleaning. They must possess a good knowledge

of the chemical agents that can or cannot be

used on these surfaces.


The types, composition, and cleaning of hard

surfaces such as metals, their alloys, glass,

plastics, ceramics, wood, stone, leather and

rubber. protecting the surfaces by application of

different finishes is discussed in detail. Many

hard surfaces are high in cost and in most cases,

once damaged, they are not easily restored to

their original appearance and function.


Metals

Glass

Leather

Rexene

Ceramic

Wood

Wall & Wall Coverings



Methods of Protecting Metals 1. Painting2. Electroplating3. Galvanizing4. Enameling5. Lacquering6. Anodizing7. Tin-plating


PAINTINGPaint may be applied to steel and wrought iron to

make them look decorative. Paint also prevents exposure of the metal surface to air containing oxygen and moisture. Before painting, the metal must be cleaned to remove surface dust and any traces of rust. The paint should be applied evenly, in several coats. Any damage to the paintwork should be repaired immediately.


ELECTROPLATING This is done using the process of electrolysis. In this

process, protective or decorative metals such as chromium, zinc, tin, silver or gold are deposited on brass, steel, or copper. It is a very durable finish.


GALVANIZINGIn this process, the base metal—usually steel or iron

—is coated with a layer of zinc to avoid corrosion. This is not used as a decorative finish. Rather, galvanizing makes the article more durable. It is a treatment extensively used for buckets, dustbins, and sinks.


ENAMELLINGIn this process, molten glass is applied to metal

surfaces such as steel and iron, which later sets to form a transparent, tough, smooth, and easily cleaned surface. The enamel may 'craze' (crack on the surface) on wear, however.


LACQUERINGIn this process, shellac—dissolved in alcohol—is

coated over brass or copper to reduce tarnishing.


ANODIZINGThis is another electrolytic treatment by which

aluminium is protected from corrosion. It also acts as a decorative finish by enhancing the appearance of aluminium. Anodized aluminium is now extensively used for door and window fittings.


TIN-PLATINGIn this process, steel or copper is dipped into molten

tin to render it corrosion resistant.


PLASTIC-COATING

Plastics can be coated over steel and iron for colour coding (as in pipes) or for decorative purposes.


COMMONLY USED METALS AND ALLOYS

• Silver• Steel• Copper• Brass• Bronze• Aluminium• Iron


Glass is a transparent, lustrous, and brittle material made from silica or sand. A mixture of pure, fine sand, soda or potash, and other ingredients is carefully measured out. This is called “Batch” The batch is fed into a furnace and heated to an extremely high temperature, above 13000 C, where it fuses into molten glass. From the furnace, the molten glass is led away for shaping. After shaping, the glass is cooled by a process called “annealing”, in which the glass travels on a conveyer belt through an annealing oven. In the annealing oven, after the initial re-heating, the glass gradually cools as it passes through. Glass is used in making doors, windows, furniture, vases, lighting fixtures, mirrors, partitions, tableware, kitchenware, and bottles.



FLOAT GLASSThis type of glass does not require polishing after

annealing. It provides clear, undistorted transparencies and is used in shop window, mirrors, and protective covering for furniture.


FIBER GLASS

Glass can be manufactured as a textile fiber, which may be used for making curtains and fire blankets. Fiberglass may also be manufactured as rigid sheets of plastic or other material with glass filaments embedded for strength. These sheets can be molded and are used for sanitary ware, furniture, and wall panels. Fiberglass is fire-proof, impermeable, and resistant to damage by pests, sunlight, or air.


OBSCURED GLASSThis is a type actually derived from sheet or float

glass. It is textured on one side, so that some light passes through and some is blocked or distorted, so that the material is not entirely transparent. The pattern is produced when molten glass is made to flow from the furnace between embossed rollers. Obscured glass is used in making bathroom windows and for screening areas where privacy or diffused light are desired.


HOLLOW GLASSWAREThis is produced by blowing, moulding, and pressing

molten glass into the desired shapes. Casts or moulds of wood or iron are often used for shaping the glass. The moulds may be patterned, giving an imitation 'cut-glass' effect, which is very even and smooth-edged, unlike the real thing. Blown glass shapes may be less regular and call for more skill in the person using a pipe to literally 'blow' the glass bubble into shape before it solidifies.


SAFETY GLASSthis is another kind of glass that is made from sheet

or float glass in various ways.


OBSCURED GLASS WITH WIRE

Wire is incorporated in obscured glass during the rolling process. If broken, the glass pieces will be held in place by the wire until knocked out of the 'frame' for repair.


LAMINATED GLASS

This consists of two thin sheets of glass with transparent plastic sandwiched between them. If a laminated glass sheet breaks, the glass pieces will adhere to the plastic layer.


TOUGHENED GLASS

This is made by heating the glass sheet to a temperature just below softening point and then cooling the surface rapidly. As a result, a skin is formed, which, if the glass breaks, will cause the pieces to shatter into tiny, harmless fragments that will be less likely to fall out of its frame as their weight is easily supported


TOUGHENED AND LAMINATED GLASS

This safety glass is made by the combination of the above mentioned two methods of laminating and toughening, this combination creates a glass five times tougher than other safety glasses.


CUT GLASS

This is produced by hand-cutting shaped glass articles using abrasive copper wheels that rotate at a very high speed. The 'cuts' have a matt surface in the beginning from being ground. But become highly reflective when polished. Cut glass is polished by treating the entire article with acid. Hand-cut lead crystal glass has prismatic grooves that emit rainbow-colored reflections. This glass is expensive and used for chandeliers, decanters, vases, and quality table glassware. Glass can also be decorated by the somewhat similar process of etching. In this process, the article is coated with a protective wax and a pattern is cut into the wax with a steel needle. On immersing the article in an acid bath, the acid eats into the unprotected patterned areas.



WOOD - Wood is hard, compact, fibrous, and porous. Good wood makes for a rich, warm and beautiful surface. It is an extremely versatile surface material, with its varied colours and different grain patterns, and is used throughout hotel establishments. Being a porous material, wood absorbs water as well as dust. It is also prone to fungal attacks and pests infestations.


CLASSIFICATION OF WOOD - This categorization is based on the origin as well as the treatment that wood has undergone before use. Wood is used in hotels in various forms, listed

Solid WoodsWood BoardsWoven StemsHardwoodSoftwoodHardboardBlackboardPlywoodChipboardCork


SOLID WOODSDepending on its strength and resilience, it may be

hard or soft wood. Irrespective of the kind of wood, it is important to keep in mind that all of them are absorbent and will require different surface-protection treatments, depending on their use


HARDWOOD These are obtained from broad-leaved, deciduous trees. The most popular hardwoods are teak, oak, ash, beech, birch, walnut, and rosewood. They are very strong and heavy, and thus can stand a good amount of wear and tear. Hardwoods have a more refined grain and shorter fibers than softwoods. Because of these properties, hardwoods do not dent or splinter easily and are preferred in the construction of floors, walls, furniture, and furnishings. Hardwoods are expensive, however, and are nowadays more often used as a veneer on other wood products.a by product of

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SOFTWOOD These are obtained from coniferous trees.. Commonly used -softwoods are pine, fir, cedar, and rubber wood. Compared to hardwoods, softwoods are lighter in weight, cheaper, more prone to wear and tear, indentations, grooves, and splintering. The colours of softwoods vary with individual tree species, but in general they are lighter in colour than most hardwoods. Softwoods do not have much visual appeal and are therefore in out-of-view areas as far as possible in most traditional places. They are also used in the construction of sub-floors, ceilings, joists, and furniture.


WOOD BOARDS A variety of wood boards are available at significantly cheaper rates than solid wood planks. These are much lighter than solid wood and most have undergone treatments such as termite-proofing and waterproofing.


HARDBOARD This is a type of thin, flexible board made of compressed and processed wood-pulp fibre. It is smooth on one side and has a mesh-like texture on the reverse. Hardboard is used to make door panels, picture backings, cupboard and wardrobe backings, bases of drawers, and as a base for floor tiles.


PLYWOOD This type of board is manufactured by gluing together many thin sheets of hardwood, which are termed plies The bonding is done in such a way that the grain of each ply is perpendicular to the grain of the sheets adjacent to it. Plywood is very strong, yet can be shaped during manufacture. Since it does not have good visual appeal compared to solid wood, however, it is often veneered with hardwood or laminate. Plywood is used to make tables, desks, shelves, countertops, and cupboards.


BLACKBOARD Each blackboard is made up of plywood veneers laid

over a core of wood strips. The inner strips of wood may be upto 3 cm in thickness, making the board strong and durable. Blackboard is used for making- worktops, tabletops, and shelves.


CHIPBOARD

This type of board is manufactured from compressed wood chips and synthetic resin. It is strong and heavy. Like plywood, this too is often veneered or laminated. Chipboard is used for making closets, cabinets, drawers, wardrobes, and worktops.


WOVEN STEMS

Cane and wicker are included in this class. Cane is derived from the hollow, jointed stems of giant reeds and grasses (such as bamboo) or the solid stems of slender palms (such as rattan). Wicker is typically derived from the shoots (osiers) of willow plants. Both materials are used in making woven items such as bread-baskets, flower baskets, mats, trays, stools, sofas, chairs, tables, and beds. Cane and wicker products are usually cheaper than solid wood.


CORK This is a martial obtained form the outer, light-brown

bark of the cork oak. The bark is ground into large granules, mixed with synthetic resin, pressed into sheets at high temperature and pressure, and then cut into tiles or strips of varying widths. It is possible to achieve colour variations by the application of different pressures and temperatures. Cork has a warm and restful appearance. It also has excellent acoustic properties. The disadvantages of cork are that it is extremely porous; it easily dents, burns, and stains; and granules may come loose. Because of the high porosity of natural cork, it is now marketed with various types of coatings. The different varieties are waxed cork, resin-reinforced waxed cork, and vinyl-coated cork. Cork is used make bathmats (though these are not typically used in hotels as they can not be cleaned often), notice boards, floor coverings and wall coverings.a by product of


PROTECTIVE TREATMENTS FOR WOODWood 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 by a section on the maintenance and cleaning requirements for various types of wood, regardless of protection.

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 to be applied. It should be allowed to dry and rubbed in well to get a good gloss.


VARNISHThis is a clear, pale solution of a resinous substance

such as amber, copal, 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.

LACQUER Shellac or cellulose lacquer is a durable finish applied to solid wood furniture. The finish may be glossy or matt. It is damaged by water, heat, and solvents.

OIL Tung oil or linseed oil.a by product of


POLYURETHANE FINISH Polyurethane may be applied as a matt or glossy

finish to wood. Two to three coats are usually needed, rubbing with fine glass paper before each coat. After applying polyurethane, the wood should be polished with beeswax to smooth down the polyurethane finish. In case of new wood, polyurethane should be applied after the application of shellac or a cellulose sealer.

FRENCH POLISH This is a solution of shellac and methylated spirit. It is

applied on small furniture items made of solid wood. However, this finish is easily damaged by water, heat, and solvents.a by product of


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.


MAINTENANCE OF WOODWhile all the finishes above render varying degrees of

protection to a wood surface, regular cleaning and care are still needed to ensure optimum performance and long life. This includes taking into account certain maintenance issues with wood, which may require small repairs. That said, wood remains a very versatile and fairly resilient surface for its aesthetic appeal and price.


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 first with an impregnated mop, or vacuum-clean. Then remove excess soiling by damp-dusting in case of small articles and light damp-mopping for larger surfaces. Wooden floor surfaces need to be buffed with a floor polisher two times a week. Spills and stains should be removed immediately from wood surfaces so that they are not absorbed into the surface.

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Ceramics are made from sand and clay. Different proportions and types of clay are mixed with other ingredients to produce various kinds of ceramics.


After mixing the ingredients and shaping, the clay is fired at a high temperature to render it hard. The article is then glazed and fired for a second time. If a glaze or sealer is not applied, these articles remain highly porous. Ceramics are used for making sanitary fittings, drain pipes, vases, floor tiles, wall tiles and finishes, cooking utensils, and crockery. Ceramics should be handled with care since they are prone to cracking and chipping. Ceramic plates used in hotels usually have rolled edges to avoid the problem of chipping at the rim. Sanities handles (where the entire article, with its handle, is molded together as one piece rather than being attached just before firing, which can result in cracks) are preferred for jugs and cups in hotels since these are not as easily broken.


Various types of ceramicsCeramicsEarthenwareStonewarePorcelainBone China Glazed EarthenwareVitrified Earthenware


COMMON TYPES OF CERAMICS

there can be quite a lot of variation in the ceramic's final qualities, depending on the proportion of ingredients and the manufacturing process.


EARTHENWAREThis thick, heavy, and highly porous material is

moulded out of clay and baked. It is used in making jugs, bowls, vases, and ashtrays. Earthenware should be handled with care, as it chips and breaks easily. This type of ceramic may also be glazed or vitrified.


GLAZED EARTHENWARE

These contain a large amount of fine white clay called ball clay this makes them thick and opaque. A glaze is applied on the surface as this clay structure is highly porous.


VITRIFIED EARTHENWARE

This is also known as vitreous china. It is very hard and heavy because of its higher flint content. Compound to other earthenware, this is fired at a higher temperature, so that consistent and complete fusion taken place. Vitrified articles are thus stronger, heavier, less easily chipped, and more expensive than other kinds of earthenware.


TERRACOTTAMade From fine clay baked, this, type of earthenware is

usually left unglazed. Terracotta articles are naturally brownish red in colour. The material is used for pottery, ashtrays, vases, and ornamental building materials.


STONEWARE

This is similar to earthenware but has, a higher stone content. It is also fired at a higher temperature than earthenware, resulting in a stronger material. Since the material is impervious, glazing is not required. Many stoneware articles are flame and oven-proof.


PORCELAIN

This is made From kaolin (china clay and china stone or feldspar. Unlike bone china, however, it does not contain calcinated bone. Porcelain has a translucent body and a transparent glaze. It is all extremely hard and strong ceramic. Since it is extremely expensive, it is not in much use in hotel establishments. Porcelain can, however, be used to make cups, saucers, and other types of crockery.


BONE CHINA

This is different from porcelain in that it contains bone ash. It also has less Feldspar and more china clay than porcelain. The addition of bone makes the clay easier to work and gives it strength. Bone china is fired at very high temperatures, winking it very thin but strong and impervious because of the complete fusion that takes place. Harsh abrasives should he avoided as designs are often applied to the Outer surface of this material. Bone china is used to make fine cups, saucers, and other types of crockery.


CLEANING PROCEDURES OF CERAMICS

Ceramics should be handled with care during cleaning since they are easily cracked and chipped. Extremely hot or too cold water should be avoided. A warm, neutral synthetic detergent solution should be used for cleaning ceramics. The articles must be rinsed thoroughly rind dried with a lint-free duster. Status may be removed by rubbing with it damp cloth to which sodium bicarbonate has been applied.


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 (see Table 8.6). 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 out 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.






Wall coverings are decorative as well as functional. The

primary consideration for wall coverings though should

be their functional quality, durability, and ease of

maintenance.


FLOOR COVERINGS/FINISHES

Floor finishes

Hard floor finishesSemi-hard floor

finishesSoft floor finishes

Non resilient Resilient


Selection of floor coverings should be on the basis of Appearance, Comfort, Durability, Life expectancy, Safety, Ease of cleaning & Cost

A maintenance program is a must for carpets since they get easily soiled or damaged. Good maintenance can increase the life of the carpet considerably. Most new carpets shed fluff for the first few weeks. During this period, they should be only lightly cleaned with a hand brush or carpet sweeper. After the first month, clean with a vacuum cleaner at least once a week, always making the last stroke in the direction of the pile so that it lies flat.


Thanks for listening – Sumit Manwalwww.sumitmanwal.blogspot.com


Design

composition-care-cleaning-different-surfaces