Have you ever wondered why cleaning equipment can come in different colours? Well, it’s not just to make the cleaning cupboard look more interesting! Colour coded cleaning gives businesses a simple way to keep cleaning equipment designated for particular areas, helping staff know which mop, cloth, brush or other piece of equipment should be used where. 

What is colour coded cleaning? 

Colour coded cleaning is a system used commercially to keep cleaning equipment separate to avoid contamination. For instance a restaurant will use a colour coded system for specifics to avoid things like the kitchen floor being mopped up with the bathrooms mop! There is a colour code that is commonly used in commercial settings, with different colours assigned to different areas. 

So, what do the colours mean? 

🔵Blue - General low-risk areas

The blue colour code is used for general low-risk areas, this can be anything you would consider ordinary areas in a workplace, things like offices, reception areas, corridors and other places that don’t fall into the more specific categories. Like every colour though, it’s important that the blue colour coded cleaning products stay within the designated areas! 

🟢Green - General food and bar use

Green colour coded products are used for general food and bar areas, you’ll find green cleaning products in places like restaurants, cafés and pubs etc. So, if you're running a café, pub, restaurant or similar business, having clearly designated green cleaning equipment makes it easier for staff to identify what should be used in food and bar areas…and helps reduce the risk of cross contamination!

🔴Red - Sanitary fittings and washroom areas 

These colour coded products could be considered the grossest!
They are used for sanitary fittings and washroom areas, so you will find these red cleaning products in places like toilets, bathrooms or gym locker rooms. So, if you’re running a business, and have toilets or any washroom areas, make sure to have clearly designated red cleaning equipment for the staff, it makes it a lot easier for them to know what cleaning equipment to use when cleaning the bathroom! 

🟡 Yellow - Wash basins and washroom surfaces 

Yellow is similar to red because it's also used within washroom environments, but it's used for a different purpose. Yellow colour coded products are specifically for wash basins and washroom surfaces, such as sinks, basins, taps and the surrounding surfaces. Keeping yellow equipment for these areas helps separate it from the red equipment, which is used for sanitary fittings such as toilets and urinals and more. This is a crucial distinction, and one whose lines you do not want to blur! 

Colour coded cleaning doesn't have to be complicated. Once your team knows what each colour means, it becomes a simple way to organise cleaning equipment and keep different areas separate. The key is consistency: choose your system, make sure everyone understands it and stick to it.