Colour coding cloths in the cleaning industry is vital for maintaining hygiene standards. The system helps prevent cross contamination between different areas such as kitchens and toilets.
Using different coloured cleaning cloths and designating them to set areas means cleaning staff can easily identify which cloths should be used in specific areas.
If you’re interested in establishing a colour coded cleaning system within your business or workplace, we’re here to help. Our guide will give an overview of colour coded cleaning cloth systems, and offer practical tips on cloth storage and maintenance.
About Cleaning Colour Codes
The concept of cleaning colour codes has been in use for many years. The practise originated in the 1990s from the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS).
The basic theory behind the system is to ensure all cleaning equipment is used for one area and one area only. Therefore, by creating a colour code chart for your business, all employees follow the same practice.
This means that as well as colour coding cloths, you would also do the same for mops, buckets, dustpans and brushes.
This helps maintain a high standard of hygiene within each place cleaners work. The colour coded chart should be clear and visible to all cleaning employees. Cross contamination is serious and the spread of bacteria can cause illness, some of which can be life threatening.
Everything a cleaner uses to carry out their daily tasks should be under the code system. They should also be stored and cleaned separately. New employees should be trained on the colour system and shown how to appropriately store and clean all equipment.
What Are The Four Colours For Cleaning?
The 4 colours usually represent their use in 4 main areas of an establishment:
- Washroom, toilets, showers and urinals. (RED)
- Public areas such as reception or hallways. (GREEN)
- Cafes, bars and restaurants dining areas. (BLUE)
- Kitchens and food preparation areas. (YELLOW)
So, for each of these areas, a different colour should be assigned. Many cleaning businesses operate using the universal colours set out by BICS. This is useful because this information is universal so it keeps that continuity.
However, some companies prefer to put together their own system and tailor it to their preferred equipment or the environment being cleaned.
Why Use Different Coloured Cloths for Cleaning?
As well as colour coding the more obvious parts of the cleaners’ equipment, cloths should also follow suit.
Cloths can and do accumulate a very large amount of bacteria, grime and viruses which should not be passed to another area. By using one colour per area of a building, you are helping prevent cross contamination which is a huge part of health and safety regulations.
This is important in any setting but more so when you consider the food and healthcare industries.
Red Cleaning Cloths
Red cleaning cloths are used in zones where there’s a high risk of cross contamination, such as toilets.
The colour red is the commonly accepted as a signal for danger and potential hazards. Therefore, it makes sense to associate this colour with high risk areas. The bright colour will indicate that the cloths are only for these more risky areas and should not be used anywhere else, particularly food preparation areas.
Red cloths should be used in the following areas and situations:-
- Cleaning washroom sinks.
- Wiping over hand dryers.
- Wiping sides.
- Cleaning bathroom floors and cubicles.
- Cleaning the toilets and urinals.
Blue Cleaning Cloths
Blue cleaning cloths are used for general cleaning tasks, and are usually assigned to public areas like bars and restaurants.
This does not include food preparation areas but it includes areas of an establishment where the public sit. This includes dining areas and outside eating areas. It also includes vending machines and bar worktops.
Blue cloths can be used in the following areas and situations:-
- Cleaning tables.
- Cleaning window sills and other surfaces.
- Wiping chairs after use.
- Cleaning any spillages up.
- Wiping over sofas and lounging areas.
Green Cleaning Cloths
Green cloths are for areas where the public may walk or mingle in, such as reception areas.
These are essentially areas that are used by the public such as hallways and lounge areas. So many different people come into these areas and make contact with the surfaces. It is important that the green clothes are used solely for this purpose.
Green cloths should be used in the following areas and situations:
- Any surfaces that need attention in lobbies.
- Window Sills etc in hallways.
- Reception areas including the desks.
- Any tables or chairs used by the public.
Yellow Cleaning Cloths
Yellow is designated to all food preparation areas. These cloths should be kept for sole use in kitchen spaces, food preparation areas and other surfaces raw food has contact with.
There are a lot of cross contamination risks associated with the kitchen so great care is required. Keeping yellow cloths specifically for this area is a great start.
Yellow cloths should be used in the following areas and situations:-
- Food preparation surfaces.
- Kitchen sinks
- Kitchen taps
- Fridges and freezers.
- Door handles
- Food work station areas.
How to Clean and Store Cleaning Cloths After Use
It’s just as important to have a good routine for cleaning and storing your cleaning cloths as it is for using them.
There is no point in having a colour code system in operation if everything is chucked together at the end of the day. This will cause cross contamination and undoes all the careful planning that goes into colour coding the cloths.
The most obvious way of preventing the risk of cloths ending up together, is by using disposable cloths. Once you have used it in the area it is intended for, it goes in the waste. However, this option doesn’t always make good financial sense. Also, it impacts negatively on the environment and there are more eco friendly ways to run your services.
This is by using coloured, reusable cloths which can be washed at the end of the day. They are relatively inexpensive and can be bought in colours to your business.
Follow these tips for washing and storing your coloured cloths:-
- Keep on top of the washing schedule so no one runs out of clean cloths and reuses soiled ones.
- Keep to the washing instructions that are provided on the cloths, this includes the temperature the cycle should be at.
- Washing instructions should be visible to everyone.
- The approved washing supplies and detergents should be listed.
- All dilution instructions should be adhered to.
- Once cleaned and dried, they should be stored in their appropriate place with the area they are going to be used in.
FAQ
You can get colour coded cloths for all areas including the kitchen. The universal colour for kitchens is yellow. It is really important to keep these solely for the kitchen due to cross contamination.
Cleaning equipment is colour coded to help prevent the spread of infection and bacteria. It helps maintain a high standard of hygiene and keeps everyone safe.
