WHAT IS COLOUR CODED CLEANING?

COLOUR CODED CLEANING EXPLAINED

Colour coded cleaning is the process of designating colours to cleaning equipment in certain areas of a venue, reducing the spread of germs across areas and increasing hygiene throughout a business or home. The four main colours used and to separate out areas such as bars, public areas, kitchen & food preparation areas and washrooms, are red, blue, green and yellow.

Colour coding is used throughout a variety of industries and trades where health and safety is paramount, in particular catering and healthcare as cross contamination will lead to illness. The cleaning equipment colours are representative to their area of use. For example, you would not want to clean the floors of a kitchen with a mop that has been previously used to clean the bathroom floors. Colour coding can be broken down into 4 areas:

• Public areas – such as lobbies, receptions and hallways
• Washroom and toilets – this can include shower rooms and bathrooms
• Restaurant and bar – including dining areas and cafe lounge spaces
• Kitchen and food preparation areas – any kitchen, food station or area where food is kept and/or prepared

For this system to work, you will need to assign a different mop (and other cleaning equipment) to each area, with a colour handle, head or bristles to make it easily identifiable. This hygienic cleaning system can be applied to any cleaning equipment that is used in each area; from mops and brushes to cloths and gloves.

Three Colour Coded Items You Should Have

So what items are colour coded to help you keep your business as hygienic as possible? The list is extensive, but here's the top three that we think every business should have as a priority:

• Mops
• Mop Buckets
• Dustpan and Brushes

With these three items you should be able to ensure the hygiene of your premises never slips. Extras such as cleaning cloths and cleaning buckets should also be considered for a thorough and strict colour coded cleaning environment.

WHERE IS COLOUR CODING USED AND WHO USES IT?

The colour coordination of cleaning products can vary from business to business and the system you choose is entirely up to you. However, the above guide is the most broadly accepted system that most catering establishment adhere to. The colour you assign to each area is your choice, so long as your staff members are trained on the system you choose. There are, however, laws and regulations for healthcare establishment that must be followed to ensure patient care.

The use of colour coded cleaning equipment is particularly useful and has been widely adopted by the catering industry, as well as offices, factories and the retail sector. Choosing to employ a colour system in your workplace can make cleaning easy, efficient and in turn, increase general hygiene and cleanliness.

WHY IS COLOUR CODING SO USEFUL?

Using a single mop to clean every floor in a restaurant, for example, can spread bacteria from the washrooms and toilets to kitchen and food preparation areas. This carries with it an inherent risk of cross contamination and consequently, illness. Applying a colour coded system to segregate sensitive areas from one-another is the most efficient and effective way of reducing the risk of cross contamination.

Article: Colour coding isn't restricted to cleaning. With the increase in customers looking for vegan and vegetarian food, it's more important than ever to colour code your kitchen. Learn more with our article on colour coded chopping boards.