Colour-Coded Cleaning Cloths: Which Colour Goes Where?
The DiscountTillRolls.ie TeamColour-coded cleaning means using a different colour cloth for each area, so a cloth used on a toilet never ends up on a food counter. A common scheme is red for toilets and urinals, yellow for washbasins and other washroom surfaces, blue for general low-risk areas like bars, tables and reception, and green for food preparation areas. There is no single legal scheme, so pick one, write it down, and make sure every staff member knows it.
Here is how to set it up in a way that actually works on a busy shift.
In this guide
- What does each colour mean?
- Why does colour coding matter?
- How do I set up a colour-coded system?
- Which cloths should I buy?
- FAQ
What does each colour mean?
| Colour | Common use |
|---|---|
| Red | Toilets, urinals and high-risk washroom areas |
| Yellow | Washbasins, sinks and other washroom surfaces |
| Blue | General low-risk areas: bars, tables, reception, offices |
| Green | Food preparation areas and kitchens |
This is a widely used convention, not a law. Some kitchens use their own scheme, for example extra colours to separate raw and ready-to-eat areas. What matters is that your system is written down in your food safety plan and followed.
Food safe cloths in blue, green, red and yellow.
Why does colour coding matter?
Cross-contamination is when bacteria move from one place to another. A cloth is one of the easiest ways for that to happen. Colour coding makes the right choice obvious, even for a new staff member on their first shift.
It also helps with inspections. An inspector can see at a glance that cloths are kept separate. Link your cloth colours to your HACCP plan and your cleaning schedule.
How do I set up a colour-coded system?
- Choose your scheme and write it down. The table above is a good starting point.
- Put up a chart in the kitchen, the store room and the washrooms.
- Match other equipment where you can, such as mops, buckets and gloves.
- Store colours separately, so cloths do not get mixed.
- Train every new starter on day one, and remind the team regularly.
- Replace cloths often. Disposable or single-use cloths reduce the risk of a dirty cloth being reused.
Which cloths should I buy?
- Envirolite folded cloths: a cost-effective, food safe everyday cloth in blue, green, red and yellow. 500 per case.
- Envirowipe Plus folded cloths: a heavier, more absorbent food safe cloth in green and blue, for demanding food areas.
- Pal TX surface and probe wipes: food safe disinfectant wipes for surfaces and temperature probes.
- Green scouring pads: for pots, pans and trays.
Premium food safe cloths in green and blue.
Pair cloths with the right chemicals. See the kitchen cleaning chemicals guide and the blue roll guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are red cleaning cloths used for?
In the common scheme, red is for toilets, urinals and high-risk washroom areas.
What colour cloth is used for food preparation?
Green is commonly used for food preparation areas, but follow the scheme in your own food safety plan.
What are blue cloths for?
Blue is usually for general low-risk areas like bars, tables, reception and offices.
Is colour coding a legal requirement?
There is no single legal colour scheme, but preventing cross-contamination is. Colour coding is a simple way to do it.
Are Envirolite cloths food safe?
Yes. Envirolite folded cloths are food safe and come in blue, green, red and yellow.
Colour-coded cleaning made easy.
Food safe cloths in four colours, wipes and scourers, dispatched from Dublin 12.
Shop cloths and wipes →Free delivery across Ireland. Order before 1pm for same-day dispatch from Dublin 12.