Tamika Small, Contributor

This worker is one of several in the business that keeps public and private spaces looking like a showpiece. - file

Do you know that feeling you get when you step into a five- star hotel lobby, or a well-kept banking hall? You take a deep breath and admire how clean everything is. The floors gleam, the windows are spotless, and the furniture is polished to a deep shine.

Whether you see them or not, you know they've been there; professional housekeepers or janitors are responsible for keeping some of the most beautiful buildings in tip-top shape, day in and day out.

These seemingly tireless professionals have a few tricks up their sleeves for accomplishing the most work in the shortest period of time. Here are just a few that can help you keep your home looking like a showpiece.

Come prepared

Notice that in hotels, cleaners use carts stocked with everything they'll need for the cleaning task at hand. Alternatively, they don't carry more than they need. Go through your cleaning supplies and eliminate all but the necessary tools, and store them together in a portable container.

Stick to a schedule

Decide which cleaning tasks need to be done every day, every week, or on a less frequent schedule. You'll spend less time thinking about what you have to do and have more time to do it.

Establish a routine

Work top to bottom and left to right. You'll save time if you don't have to retrace your steps, and cleaning will be much faster and easier if you develop a regular routine for each area of your home.

Work in teams

Professional housekeepers often work in teams. Making a king-sized bed may only take a few minutes for one person, but with two person's, it takes only seconds. Enlisting the help of family members will not only get the job done faster, but you'll also keep each other motivated.

Collect a pay cheque

Beyond a passion for a clean and healthy environment, one thing that motivates professional housekeepers to clean is looking forward to a pay cheque. Of course, while having a clean and orderly environment is a great 'pay cheque', why not give yourself an extra reward for a job well done?

Tamika Small, managing director, Executive Housekeeping & Laundry, 48 Burbank Ave, Havendale. Tel: 876-924-1721, or email: executive.housekeeping@yahoo.com, and visit www.executive-housekeeping.com.