By: Glen Wilson
05 Aug 2023
Colour-coded cleaning cloths are consistent with a universal standard that is recommended for use in the cleaning industry. The basic concept behind it, is different coloured cleaning cloths should be used according to the area being cleaned.
The aim of a colour coding system is to help prevent cross contamination during cleaning, which is an important step in the maintaining of high hygiene standards.
The four universal colours are red, blue, green, and yellow. There are other colours, but these are the main four.
What Should be Colour Coded?
The extent of the colour coding starts with cloths and goes all the way to full sets of equipment in an ideal world. While we recognise the cost and complexity of having multiple sets of cloths, mops, buckets, brooms, trigger sprays, etc. may be too ambitious, the two most important items are the cloth and the gloves. The cloths and gloves are the most likely to cause cross-contamination as they come in closest contact with surfaces. They are also the most likely items to be judged harshly by customers if not used appropriately.
Important note: We are not saying gloves should be colour coded. The reason is because we use the inexpensive throw-away gloves which cost a few cents a pair. Instead of the expense and complexity of colour coding the gloves we say instead, old gloves should be discarded and replaced by new ones each time you would change the your cloths.
Benefit
Using colour-coded cloths and regularly replacing gloves reduces the spread of infection from one room to another. For example, you would not want your kitchen surfaces wiped with a cleaning cloth that has been previously used to wipe the toilet surfaces.
Availability
Coloured cloths available from reputable cleaning supplies. They are also readily available from a number of sources online.
Rules for Using Colour Cloths
The following five rules are observed by Fenix cleaners to maximise benefits to customers:
- Clean cloths are stored in a completely separate container to soiled cloths
- Soiled cloths are stored away out of view in an appropriately labelled, non-transparent, storage bag
- Soiled cloths are washed in antiseptic, dried, folded and stored in the clean cloth receptacle as soon as possible after use
- Cloths that have been used in an area (even if only very slightly), are stored in the soiled storage bag – they are not used again until washed
- Cloths that have been used at Job 1 (even if only very slightly), are stored in the soiled storage bag – they are not used at Job 2 unless they have been washed
THE IMPORTANCE OF COLOUR CODED CLEANING CLOTHS CAN’T BE OVERSTATED. ALL FENIX CLEANERS ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE COLOUR CODING AND CARRY ABOUT 24 OF EACH COLOURED CLOTH IN THEIR INVENTORY. IN ADDITION, THEY ALWAYS CARRY A GENEROUS STOCK OF DISPOSABLE GLOVES.
