Red
Toilets and urinals
- Toilet bowls and seats
- Urinals
- Surrounding floor areas
- Sanitary bins (outside)
Colour Coding in Cleaning — Module 2: The 4 Colours & Where They're Used
Module 2 of 3
Colour Coding in Cleaning · Module 2
The Four Colours and Where They're Used
Red, yellow, blue and green. What each colour covers, which equipment it applies to, and why one slip can undo the whole system.
- Free taster
- Module 2 of 3
- About 5 minutes
Free taster micro-course. This is a short introduction to the topic, not full professional training. For in-depth courses with assessments and certificates, see the CCMTec® Academy.
What you'll learn in this module
- The four standard colours and the zones they represent
- What equipment each colour applies to
- Real-world examples of where each colour is used
- Why mixing colours, even by accident, is a serious risk
The four colours at a glance
The UK colour coding system assigns four colours to four distinct cleaning zones. Every cloth, mop head, bucket and pair of gloves should match its zone and never be used outside it.
Yellow
Clinical areas
- Sluice rooms
- Clinical and isolation areas
- High-risk infection zones
- Medical facility washrooms
Blue
General areas
- Offices and classrooms
- Corridors and reception areas
- General washbasins
- Non-food, non-clinical surfaces
Green
Food prep and catering
- Kitchen worktops
- Canteen and dining surfaces
- Food preparation equipment
- Bar and serving areas
Why mixing colours is a serious risk
A cloth can look clean and still carry bacteria you can't see. Using a red cloth on a food preparation surface, even once, can transfer pathogens such as E. coli or Salmonella. In a professional setting that can lead to illness outbreaks, complaints and lost contracts.
It only works if everyone follows it
Colour coding relies on the whole team using it consistently. Make it part of the induction for every new cleaning operative.
Equipment that should be colour coded
The system applies to all reusable cleaning equipment, including cloths and microfibre pads, mop heads and handles, buckets, dustpan and brush sets, and gloves. Many suppliers, including CCMTec®, stock colour-coded versions of all of these.
Want to go further?
Our full Academy courses cover topics like this in real depth, with practical guidance, assessments and certificates.
Explore full coursesDisclaimer: This micro-course is a general introduction to colour coding in cleaning and is not a substitute for full professional training. Always follow your employer's procedures and current HSE guidance for your workplace.