Institutional housekeepers clean the interiors of hotels, hospitals, school dormitories, and government residences. The size of the institution usually determines the number of workers of the housekeeping staff as well as the duties each housekeeper performs. For example, the hotel housekeepers may only clean and straighten guest rooms, while those at a government residence and embassies also serve at banquets.

Institutional housekeepers clean floors and windows, make beds, wash dishes, and take care of indoor plants. In relatively big institutions, the head housekeeper coordinates the housekeeping staff, the building maintenance staff, kitchen workers, and doorkeepers.