Color coding is an easy effective way to prevent spreading germs. Color coding can prevent transferring bacteria from one space to another also known as cross contamination. Different colored microfiber cloths are used for specific cleaning tasks.
Just like institutions have recognized the need to eliminate cross-contamination, it can be applied to the home too. Color coding reduces cross-contamination and infection by making it clear where a certain cleaning tool should be used. Color coded microfiber cloths create consistency across different cleaning teams and help bridge any language barriers.
Microfiber cloths are made of tightly woven synthetic fibers, typically a polyester/nylon blend. Microfiber grabs contaminants from a surface and traps them in its fiber. Traditional rags just move dirt from one place to another. Microfiber cloths remove bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms from surfaces. Being comprised of extremely small fibers, microfiber picks up many microorganisms and things that like dust and dirt unlike many cotton towels. However even using the same cloth is dangerous if used in two different spaces like the bathroom and kitchen.
Accidental cross-contamination often happens because a cleaning technician doesn’t realize a cloth has already been used in an area that could spread bacteria. For example, germs can be spread between areas when the same mop or rag is used in a bathroom and the kitchen. Touching a contaminated surface with a cloth and then using it on another surface quickly spreads germs. Color coding is an easy way to reduce the transfer of bacteria from one area to another.
A color-coded program makes things for a cleaning team clear. Even the best communicators lose things in translation. Color is a universal language. Colors signal a message. Whatever language a person speaks, colors immediately say there is a difference in the cloth’s purpose. Furthermore, unique colors reminds everyone that the cloths should be used for distinct cleaning tasks or areas.
There are no set standards for color-coding microfiber cloths, but facilities follow general guidelines making colors fairly universal in application. There is no limit to the number of colors that can be used. Commonly used colors are red, yellow, green, and blue. Each color is used for a different area based on risk levels. Still there can be applications where even more colors are used.
Red microfiber cloths are typically used for the areas with the highest risk of cross-contamination and most likely to spread infection like toilets. Yellow is used in areas of the next greatest concern such as sinks, soap dispensers and bathroom door handles. Blue microfiber is typically used for general cleaning in lower-risk areas or surfaces like glass, mirrors, bedroom door handles and other knobs. Green-colored microfiber is used in kitchens including countertops, cabinets and other surfaces.
Sometimes the simplest changes can yield the greatest results. As is often the case, the most critical part to success is training and implementation. Professionally trained and certified technicians help ensure that the theory is put into practice.
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