Housekeeping teams are the quiet backbone of any good hotel. They slip in while you're at breakfast or out for the day, and by the time you return the bed is smooth, the bathroom gleams and the bin is empty. It looks like magic, but it's really a well-drilled routine — one that runs far more smoothly when guests lend a hand. Most housekeepers will never knock on your door to ask for these small favours, so here's what they'd love you to know.

Give us a clear surface to work with

Before you head out, take a moment to gather your belongings. A desk strewn with laptops, chargers, medication and loose change isn't just awkward to dust around — it's a genuine risk. Housekeepers are trained not to move guests' possessions if they can avoid it, which means those areas simply don't get cleaned properly. A tidy room isn't about being a neat person; it's about giving the team a safe, uncluttered space to work in.

• Pop toiletries, glasses and hairbrushes back into your wash bag or onto a shelf.
• Move laptops, tablets and cables into a drawer or onto the desk rather than leaving them spread out.
• Keep suitcases off the floor where you can — a luggage rack works well.
• Bundle charging cables rather than leaving them trailing across the carpet, where they're easily tripped over or caught by a vacuum.

If you'd rather your things weren't touched at all, that's absolutely fine. Just let reception know, or leave a polite note on the desk, so the team can skip those areas without worrying they've missed something.

Bins are for bins

It sounds obvious, but the bin is the single biggest source of confusion in a hotel room. Housekeepers regularly find food wrappers in the bathroom bin, half-finished takeaway containers on the desk and used tissues scattered across the bedside table. Please put rubbish where it belongs.

• Use the bathroom bin for bathroom waste and the main bin for everything else — or ask for a second one.
• Never put broken glass, crockery or anything sharp loose into a bin liner. Wrap it in a towel or leave it on the side with a note, and we'll dispose of it safely.
• Bag nappies, sanitary products and food waste before they go in the bin, wherever possible.
• If the bin is full, leave it out rather than pressing more in — we'll empty it.

In a self-catering apartment, please don't tip cooking oil or liquids down the sink. It clogs the pipes and turns a two-minute job into a much longer one.

Tell us about spills and damage straight away

Every housekeeper has a story about a red wine stain that was mentioned three days after it happened. Most spills are far easier to lift within the first hour than after they've dried and set. If you knock over a glass, drop something on the carpet or break a lamp, tell reception as soon as you can. You won't be shouted at — it's a hotel, things get broken. What matters is having the chance to fix it before the next guest arrives.

The same goes for anything faulty in the bathroom: a chipped glass, a loose shower fitting, a towel rail coming away from the wall. Report it and it gets dealt with. Leave it and the next guest inherits the problem — and you may be charged for something that could have been sorted in minutes.

Be thoughtful with towels and linen

Hotels are working hard to reduce water and energy use, and housekeeping teams notice the difference. Hanging your towel up after use signals you're happy to use it again. Leaving it in a heap on the floor signals you'd like a fresh one. There's no judgement either way — just make it clear which you mean.

• Use the rail or hook if you're happy to reuse; pile towels in the bath or shower tray if you'd like them changed.
• Keep makeup, fake tan and hair dye away from white linen — stains like these often can't be removed and the item has to be replaced.
• Don't use kettles, glasses or mugs for anything other than their intended purpose.
• If you need extra pillows or towels, ring reception rather than helping yourself from a housekeeping trolley in the corridor.

Small courtesies go a long way

A smile in the corridor, a "good morning" as you pass — these matter more than you'd think. Housekeepers often work alone, on their feet, against the clock, and they're frequently invisible to guests. Being acknowledged is a genuinely lovely part of the job.

If you've had a particularly good clean, a word to reception is worth more than you realise. Tips are appreciated but never expected, and a short note saying thank you costs nothing at all.

One last practical point: if you don't want your room serviced, use the do-not-disturb sign or ring reception before you leave. It saves a wasted trip and helps the team plan their day. If you're checking out early, a quick call means the room can be turned around for the next guest sooner.

None of this takes much effort, but it makes a real difference. A little consideration from guests is what turns a routine clean into a genuinely pleasant shift — and that goodwill usually finds its way back into your room.