This housekeeping chemical chart gives hotel housekeeping teams four references in one place: R1 to R9 codes, dilution in ml per liter of water, correct pH by surface and chemicals by hotel zone - matched to Vileson products used in Dubai.
A hotel housekeeping programme uses different chemicals in six property zones, each with its own surfaces and hygiene risks. This chart gives housekeeping managers, FM operators and procurement teams the R-code each job uses, how much product to add per liter of water, which pH is safe on which surface and what each zone needs. Vileson products are formulated with Dubai's hard water (300-500 ppm TDS) in mind, so the label dilution is the one to use.
The R1 to R9 codes come from Taski room-care chemical charts and are now used across the hotel industry as shorthand for each cleaning job. The table shows what each code is for and the Vileson product that does the same job - or where we do not supply one.
| Code | Job | Typical type | Vileson product | How to use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | Bathroom cleaner and sanitiser | Usually acidic | Bathroom Cleaner (VT-GC-003) - pH neutral; for disinfection add Disinfectant Liquid (VT-DS-002) | Ready to use |
| R2 | Hard surface cleaner | Neutral | All Purpose Cleaner (VT-GC-001) or Multipurpose Cleaner (VT-GC-002) | VT-GC-001 1:5 to 1:40 · VT-GC-002 ready to use |
| R3 | Glass cleaner | Neutral | Glass Cleaner (VT-GC-004) - ammonia-free | Ready to use |
| R4 | Furniture polish | Neutral | Not supplied by Vileson | - |
| R5 | Air freshener | Neutral | Not supplied by Vileson | - |
| R6 | Toilet bowl cleaner | Usually strong acid | Bathroom Cleaner (VT-GC-003) - pH neutral, for toilet bowls and urinals; not a limescale remover | Ready to use |
| R7 | Floor cleaner | Neutral | Antibacterial Floor & Surface Cleaner (VT-DS-007) | 60 ml per 5L bucket |
| R9 | Bathroom descaler | Acidic | Not supplied by Vileson | - |
Taski is a trademark of its owner. Vileson Trade FZCO is not affiliated with Taski; the codes are used here only as an industry reference. Contents of each R-code differ between brands - always check the label.
Measure, do not guess. Too little product leaves soil behind; too much wastes product and can leave residue on hard surfaces. Use a measuring cup or a dosing pump and the figures below.
| Product | Job | Dilution | Per 1 liter of water | Per 5L bucket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Purpose Cleaner (VT-GC-001) | Routine floor cleaning | 1:40 | 25 ml | 125 ml |
| All Purpose Cleaner (VT-GC-001) | General surface wipe-down | 1:20 | 50 ml | 250 ml |
| All Purpose Cleaner (VT-GC-001) | Bathroom maintenance | 1:10 | 100 ml | 500 ml |
| All Purpose Cleaner (VT-GC-001) | Heavier soiling | 1:5 | 200 ml | - |
| Antibacterial Floor & Surface Cleaner (VT-DS-007) | Floors - mop and bucket | - | 12 ml | 60 ml |
| Antibacterial Floor & Surface Cleaner (VT-DS-007) | Equipment - spray bottle | 1:20 | 50 ml | - |
| Antiseptic Disinfectant (VT-DS-001) | Floors and hard surfaces, warm water | 3 capfuls per 1L | About 30 ml | - |
| Antiseptic Disinfectant (VT-DS-001) | Toilets, sinks, drains | Undiluted | 3-5 capfuls, leave at least 10 min | - |
| Multipurpose Cleaner (VT-GC-002) | Surfaces | Ready to use | - | - |
| Glass Cleaner (VT-GC-004) | Glass and mirrors | Ready to use | - | - |
| Bathroom Cleaner (VT-GC-003) | Tiles, basins, toilet bowls | Ready to use | - | - |
| Carpet Cleaner (VT-FC-002) | Carpets and fabric | Ready to use | - | - |
| Oven & Grill Cleaner (VT-KC-005) | Warm oven or grill, 5-10 min contact | Ready to use | - | - |
| Sanitizer Liquid | Hands and surfaces, 20-30 sec contact | Ready to use | - | - |
| LAUNDREX BLEACH WHITE | White linen only | 45-90 g per 50kg load | - | - |
Always prepare a fresh solution each shift. Detergent dosing for the full LAUNDREX range is on the commercial laundry detergent powder page.
Using the wrong pH on the wrong surface can cause permanent damage - especially on the marble, travertine and stone floors common in Dubai hotels. Check the pH on the label or in the SDS before using any product on a new surface.
| Surface | Safe pH range | Alkaline floor cleaner (pH 9–11) | Recommended | Common in Dubai |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marble | Neutral required | Unsafe - etches and dulls | pH-neutral cleaner - test a small area first | Hotel lobbies, bathrooms, penthouses |
| Travertine | Neutral required | Unsafe - same as marble | pH-neutral cleaner - test a small area first | Spa areas, boutique hotels |
| Limestone | Neutral required | Unsafe - highly reactive to acid | pH-neutral cleaner - test a small area first | Premium residential, heritage |
| Terrazzo | Moderate tolerance | Use with caution | Antibacterial Floor & Surface Cleaner | Commercial floors, malls |
| Porcelain / ceramic tile | pH 5.0 – 10.0 | Safe | All Purpose Cleaner or Antibacterial Floor & Surface Cleaner | Hotel rooms, back-of-house |
| Vinyl / LVT | pH 5.5 – 9.0 | Avoid prolonged alkaline | All Purpose Cleaner (diluted) | Budget hotels, serviced apartments |
| Stainless steel | pH 5.0 – 10.0 | Safe | Stainless Steel Cleaner - currently out of stock, ask for restock date | Kitchens, lift doors |
| Glass | pH 5.0 – 10.0 | Safe | Glass Cleaner | All areas |
| Carpet / fabric | pH 5.0 – 8.5 | Can fade colour above pH 9 | Carpet Cleaner (ready to use) | Guestrooms, corridors |
One of the most expensive housekeeping mistakes is using a standard alkaline cleaner (pH 9–11) on marble lobby floors - re-polishing damaged marble is a significant, avoidable cost. Check the pH on the label or in SDS Section 9 before using any product on natural stone. See our floor cleaner guide by floor type.
Each zone of a hotel needs a different set of chemicals. The cards below map the Vileson products used in each zone, plus the documents your chemical file should hold.
Print these next to the chart in your housekeeping store. They prevent most chemical accidents and wasted product. For the full guide, see cleaning chemical safety in the UAE and how to train cleaning staff.
A housekeeping chemical chart is a one-page reference that tells housekeeping staff which chemical to use on which surface, how much to dilute it and how to use it safely. This chart covers R1 to R9 codes, dilution in ml per liter of water, pH by surface and chemicals by hotel zone.
R1 to R9 are room-care codes from Taski chemical charts that many hotels use as shorthand: R1 bathroom cleaner and sanitiser, R2 hard surface cleaner, R3 glass cleaner, R4 furniture polish, R5 air freshener, R6 toilet bowl cleaner, R7 floor cleaner and R9 bathroom descaler. Contents differ between brands, so always check the label.
It depends on the product and the job. For Vileson All Purpose Cleaner: 25 ml per liter of water for routine floor cleaning (1:40), 50 ml for general wipe-downs (1:20), 100 ml for bathroom maintenance (1:10) and up to 200 ml for heavier soiling (1:5). Antibacterial Floor & Surface Cleaner is 60 ml per 5L bucket. Glass Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaner and Carpet Cleaner are ready to use.
Housekeeping chemicals range from acidic (toilet and descaler products) through neutral (daily surface and floor cleaners) to alkaline (degreasers). Vileson All Purpose Cleaner is pH neutral - pH 7.5 undiluted and 7.0 at 1:10 - and Bathroom Cleaner is also pH neutral. Heavy Duty Degreaser is alkaline. Natural stone such as marble needs a pH-neutral cleaner.
Marble reacts with acidic and strongly alkaline cleaners, which can etch or dull the surface. Use a pH-neutral cleaner, check the pH on the label or SDS before use, and test a small area first.
No. Never mix chemicals - for example, chlorine bleach mixed with an acid toilet cleaner or with ammonia releases toxic gas. Use one product at a time, rinse between products and keep every chemical in its original or correctly labelled container.
Yes. Every chemical used by housekeeping should have a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) on site so staff know the hazards, first aid and PPE. Vileson provides English SDS on request and GHS-compliant bilingual labels on every container.
Yes. Use the Print this chart button at the top of the page to print it or save it as a PDF from your browser, then post it in your housekeeping store or on the trolleys.
English SDS on request. GHS-compliant bilingual labels on every container. Free UAE delivery on qualifying orders.
Vileson Trade FZCO · Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE
+971 56 319 6134 · customers@vilesontrade.company
