Colour-Coded Cleaning System Guide

The Science & Rationale

Professional Standards: What the Experts Use

BICSc Standard (British/European/Australian)

Colour	Area	Risk Level
RED	Sanitary areas (toilets, urinals, bathroom floors)	High Risk
GREEN	Food areas (kitchens, cafeterias, food prep)	Medium Risk
BLUE	General areas (offices, hallways, classrooms)	Low Risk
YELLOW	Healthcare/clinical settings	Very High Risk

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)

FSANZ follows BICSc guidelines with colour-coding recommended as best practice for food businesses. The Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) makes colour coding mandatory for reusable equipment in healthcare settings.

Different Schools of Thought

1. Area-Based Coding (Our Approach)

2. Task-Based Coding

Alternative approach: assign colours to specific tasks (dusting, glass cleaning, sanitising) regardless of location.

3. Minimalist Systems (3-4 colours)

Philosophy: Simplicity aids compliance. Just bathroom, kitchen, and general.

4. Comprehensive Systems (6-8+ colours)

Philosophy: Maximum protection through detailed segregation.

Colour Psychology & Practicality

Intuitive Colour Associations

Colour	Psychological Association	Why It Works
Red	Danger, stop, warning	Universal warning colour—perfect for highest contamination areas (toilets)
Green	Safe, natural, fresh	Associated with vegetables, food, and cleanliness—intuitive for kitchens
Blue	Clean, water, trust	Calming colour associated with cleanliness and water—good for general areas
Yellow	Caution, attention	Bright and highly visible—draws attention to important food prep surfaces
Grey	Neutral, practical	No specific association—perfect for miscellaneous/multi-purpose tasks

Dirt Visibility on Different Colours

Colour Type	Examples	Dirt Visibility	Verdict
Light colours	White, pale pink, light blue	Shows everything	Good for hygiene awareness, but looks dingy fast
Medium tones	Yellow, green, blue, red	Shows some dirt	IDEAL—balanced approach
Dark colours	Navy, black, dark grey	Hides most stains	Looks clean longer, but hygiene risk (can't see when dirty)

Why Not Just Wash Everything Together?

What the Research Shows

• Bacteria survival: Many bacteria survive standard washing cycles, especially in water below 60°C
• Biofilm formation: Bacteria can form protective biofilms in cloth fibres that resist normal washing
• Cross-contamination in washing machines: Machines themselves can harbour bacteria and transfer them between loads
• Visual vs actual cleanliness: A cloth can look clean but still harbour millions of bacteria

Product Recommendations

What to Look For in Microfibre Cloths

Feature	Why It Matters	What to Look For
Fibre composition	Split fibres increase cleaning/absorption ability	"Split microfibre", polyester/polyamide blend (80/20)
Density (GSM)	Heavier cloths absorb more, hold dirt better, last longer	250-300+ GSM (grams per square metre)
Edge quality	Good manufacturing = fewer loose threads, better durability	Finished edges (not raw cut), reinforced stitching
Size	Larger cloths cover more area, hold more liquid	30-40cm square minimum for general cleaning
Colour variety	Need specific colours for the system	Yellow, green, blue, red, grey/white

Recommended Products

Purchasing Strategy

Quantity per Colour

Aim for 4-6 cloths minimum per colour to enable proper rotation:

• 1 cloth in use
• 1-2 cloths in the wash
• 2-3 clean cloths ready as backups

Before You Buy

Care & Maintenance Guide

Critical Rules for Microfibre Cloths

Proper Washing Protocol

How Often to Wash

Cloth Colour	Area	Washing Frequency
Red (Bathrooms)	Highest risk	After EVERY use (never reuse before washing)
Yellow (Food prep)	High risk	After every use (daily minimum)
Green (Kitchen general)	Medium risk	After 1-2 uses (daily minimum)
Blue (Living areas)	Low risk	After 2-3 uses
Grey (Multi-purpose)	Varies	After every use (depends on task)

Step-by-Step Washing Instructions

1. Separate by colour

   CRITICAL: NEVER mix colours in the wash. Red bathroom cloths must always be washed separately from kitchen cloths. This is non-negotiable.

2. Separate from other fabrics

   Wash microfibre separately from cotton towels, clothing, etc. Cotton sheds lint which embeds in microfibre and reduces effectiveness.

3. Select water temperature
   • For disinfection: Hot water (60°C minimum)
   • For regular cleaning: Warm or cold water is fine
   • For colours: Cold water helps prevent fading
4. Use minimal detergent

   Microfibre needs very little detergent—1-2 teaspoons maximum. Too much detergent leaves residue in fibres.

5. Optional: Add disinfectant

   Safe disinfection options:

   • Hot water (60°C+) alone is highly effective
   • Oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate)—safe for colours
   • Hydrogen peroxide solution
   • White vinegar (some sources recommend, others caution against)
6. Run wash cycle

   Normal cycle is fine. No special settings needed.

7. Dry properly
   • Best: Air dry (hang or lay flat)
   • Acceptable: Tumble dry on LOW heat only
   • Never: High heat, dryer sheets, or iron

Storage Best Practices

Storage Solutions

Method	Pros	Cons
Colour-coded bins/buckets	Clear separation, easy access, portable	Takes up floor/shelf space
Drawer dividers	Compact, organized, out of sight	Need sufficient drawer space
Labeled shelf sections	Simple, no special equipment needed	Cloths must be neatly stacked
Wall-mounted hooks/racks	Visible, air circulation for drying	One hook per colour needed
Labeled zip-lock bags	Very cheap, perfectly contained	Can trap moisture, not elegant

Storage Setup Recommendations

1. Clean vs dirty separation: Have two storage systems—one for clean cloths, one for used cloths awaiting washing
2. Label everything: Even if using coloured bins, add text labels for colour-blind users and clarity
3. Keep in cleaning cupboard: All cloths stored together (but separated by colour) in one location
4. Quick reference card: Laminate and stick inside cupboard door showing which colour = which area

Rotation System

Expected Lifespan & Replacement

How Long Do Microfibre Cloths Last?

• With proper care: 300-500 washes
• Light use (1-2x/week): 1-2 years
• Heavy daily use: 6 months to 1 year

Replacement Indicators

Replacement Strategy

1. Inspect monthly: Quick visual and feel test of all cloths
2. Replace by colour set: When 2-3 cloths of one colour are worn, replace the entire colour set together
3. Budget annually: Plan to replace at least 1-2 colour sets per year with heavy use
4. Don't downgrade: Never move worn bathroom cloths to kitchen use. Throw them away or repurpose for garage/outdoor cleaning only

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem	Cause	Solution
Cloth leaves lint/streaks	Washed with cotton towels, or fabric softener used	Wash separately from cotton, never use fabric softener, may need replacement if damaged
Water beads instead of absorbing	Detergent/softener buildup, or fabric softener used	Wash in hot water with vinegar (1 cup) to strip buildup; if persists, replace cloth
Persistent bad smell	Bacteria embedded in fibres, or not drying properly	Wash in hot water (60°C+) with oxygen bleach; ensure complete drying; replace if smell persists
Cloth feels stiff or scratchy	Hard water minerals, detergent buildup	Wash with vinegar to soften, use less detergent in future
Colors fading quickly	Hot water, chlorine bleach, or sun exposure	Use cold/warm water for colors, avoid bleach, air dry in shade

Quick Reference Guide

Critical Rules

Washing Quick Guide

Do	Don't
✓ Wash by colour separately	✗ Mix colours in wash
✓ Use minimal detergent (1-2 tsp)	✗ Use fabric softener
✓ Hot water (60°C) for disinfection	✗ Use chlorine bleach
✓ Air dry or low heat tumble	✗ High heat or dryer sheets
✓ Wash separately from cotton	✗ Iron microfibre (melts!)

Washing Frequency

Colour	Area	Frequency
RED	Bathrooms	After EVERY use
YELLOW	Food prep	After every use
GREEN	Kitchen general	After 1-2 uses
BLUE	Living areas	After 2-3 uses
GREY	Multi-purpose	After every use

When to Replace

Shopping List