Colour-Coded Cleaning: A Smart Solution for Homes and Businesses

Maintaining cleanliness isn’t just about keeping spaces looking tidy—it’s about hygiene, infection control, and safety. A colour-coded cleaning system is a simple yet highly effective method used in commercial cleaning and home environments to prevent cross-contamination and ensure proper sanitation.

In this blog, we explore what a colour-coded cleaning system is and why it’s essential for maintaining hygiene in both business and home settings. We’ll discuss the benefits of colour-coded cleaning, the different types of cleaning equipment colour coding, and common cleaning mistakes that could compromise sanitary standards. Finally, we’ll explain how homeowners can implement this cleaning method to create a healthier living environment.

Whether you manage a business, oversee a professional cleaning team, or simply want a more hygienic home, understanding and implementing a colour-coded cleaning system can make all the difference. Let’s dive in.

Published in Latest News 6 min read 26th February 2025

Understanding Colour-Coded Cleaning: How It Works and Why It Matters

A colour-coded cleaning system is designed to assign specific colours to cleaning equipment, ensuring that tools are used only in designated areas. At first glance, a space may appear clean after a quick vacuum and mop, but is it truly hygienic? Invisible contaminants, bacteria, and germs can linger on cleaning tools and spread between surfaces if the correct infection control cleaning methods aren’t followed.

To prevent cross-contamination, a colour-coded cleaning system helps maintain hygiene standards by ensuring that cleaning equipment is used exclusively in the correct areas. This system is widely adopted across commercial cleaning, healthcare, and food preparation industries to enhance sanitary cleaning techniques and ensure a safer environment.

The system typically follows four distinct colour assignments: Blue is used for low-risk general areas such as offices, classrooms, corridors, and reception spaces. Green is designated for kitchens and food preparation areas, ensuring hygiene in spaces like food service counters and bar areas. Red is reserved for high-risk areas, including sanitary fittings in toilets, urinals, washroom floors, and wet changing rooms. Yellow is used for washroom surfaces that are not high-risk, such as sinks, basins, towel dispensers, and doors. By implementing professional cleaning best practices, businesses and homeowners alike can improve infection control, enhance workplace hygiene, and create a safer environment for employees, customers, and families.

Benefits of Colour Coded Cleaning

A colour-coded cleaning system offers a simple yet highly effective way to maintain cleanliness, infection control, and hygiene in any organisation. By using a structured approach, businesses can prevent cross-contamination, enhance workplace safety, and improve overall cleaning efficiency.

Prevention of Cross-Contamination

Germs, bacteria, and viruses can spread when cleaning tools are used incorrectly. For example, using a red cloth meant for high-risk washroom areas to clean a food preparation surface can transfer harmful bacteria, putting people at risk. A properly implemented colour-coded cleaning system ensures that cleaning equipment is restricted to its designated areas, reducing the spread of pathogens and contaminants.

Enhanced Safety

Certain cleaning chemicals and disinfectants are hazardous and should only be used in specific areas. Colour-coded cleaning practices help staff quickly identify which tools and products are appropriate for each task, minimising the risk of chemical exposure, workplace accidents, and hygiene violations.

Improved Workplace Efficiency

A colour-coded cleaning system makes it quick and easy for staff to know which equipment should be used where, preventing confusion and reducing downtime. This not only saves time but also enhances operational efficiency by ensuring that cleaning protocols are followed correctly.

Simplified Training for New Staff

The colour-coded system is easy to understand, making it simpler for new employees or cleaning staff to adopt best practices. With a clear visual guide, staff can quickly learn proper cleaning procedures, use the right equipment in the correct areas, and avoid common cleaning mistakes that could lead to hygiene risks.

Blue

Suitable for general low risk areas

Generally used when cleaning areas that are considered to present a low risk of infection. All equipment can be used to clean classrooms, corridors, offices, reception areas etc.

Green

Suitable for general food and bar use

All kitchen areas within an establishment should use green equipment. In a commercial kitchen, there are usually toilets, offices and storerooms and in those cases, the other relevant colours should still be adopted, where food is not prepared.

Red

Suitable for sanitary fittings and washroom floors

To be used in areas considered to be a high risk in relation to the spread of infection, notably sanitary fittings within toilets, washrooms, wet changing areas etc. This includes all associated fixtures and fittings.

Yellow

Suitable for wash basins and washroom surfaces

Should be used in washroom areas for cleaning all fixtures, fittings and surfaces that are not considered critical in terms of infection. These include worktops, doors, pipework, towel dispensers, sinks and basins.

Colour Coded Wallcharts

Have you seen the full range of Jangro wallcharts?

Keep your practices and standards top notch with the addition of easily accessible wall charts. The range includes dilution, infection control as well as area specific wall charts that covers what surfaces should be cleaned and when.
Use this text to share information about your brand with your customers. Describe a product, share announcements, or welcome customers to your store.

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Common Mistakes To Avoid

Over time, cleaning tools can become worn out, and colours may fade, making it difficult to distinguish between them. If staff can’t easily identify the correct colour-coded equipment, they may accidentally use tools in the wrong area, which could lead to cross-contamination and infection control issues. To prevent this, businesses should regularly inspect and replace worn or faded cleaning supplies. Implementing routine checks and stocking spare supplies will ensure the colour-coded cleaning system remains effective, preventing hygiene risks and improving overall workplace cleanliness.

Even when using the correct colour-coded cleaning tools, failing to properly clean and disinfect equipment between uses can still spread bacteria and viruses. Mops, cloths, and sponges can harbour germs if not thoroughly washed, leading to cross-contamination and undermining infection control. To avoid this, all reusable cleaning tools should be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and dried after each use to ensure hygiene standards are met. Disposable cleaning supplies, where possible, can also help maintain higher sanitary standards and reduce the risk of pathogen spread.

Home Owners Listen Up

While colour-coded cleaning is a common practice in commercial spaces, it can be equally beneficial in homes, particularly for families. By assigning specific colours to different areas—such as blue for general spaces, green for kitchens, red for bathrooms, and yellow for high-risk areas—you can easily prevent cross-contamination and maintain a cleaner, healthier living environment for everyone.

This system is especially important for households with young children, pets, or individuals with allergies or health concerns. It helps reduce the spread of germs, bacteria, and allergens, creating a safer, more hygienic home.

Implementing colour-coded cleaning at home is simple and effective. By designating different-coloured cloths, sponges, and mops for specific areas, you can ensure each space is cleaned according to its needs. For example, using a separate cloth for kitchen counters and another for bathroom surfaces helps stop harmful bacteria from spreading between areas. To make the system even easier, consider labelling storage areas or keeping a quick-reference guide for family members, ensuring everyone follows the cleaning routine. This not only makes cleaning more efficient but also significantly boosts the hygiene of your home, giving you peace of mind and a healthier living space.