See also:
1.Wet mop vs Dust mop?
2.How to choose the right material for your wet mop?
3.How to choose the right colour for your mop?
 
How to Choose the Right Colour for Cleaning Tools?
Colour-coded cleaning tools are an essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing cross-contamination in various environments. By assigning specific colours to different areas or tasks, you can ensure a more organized and effective cleaning process. Here’s a simple guide to help you choose the right colour for your cleaning tool based on common industry standards, backed by real research on how colour-coding reduces the risk of cross-infection. 
 
 
Why Colour-Coding Matters?
Colour-coding helps maintain cleanliness by ensuring that tools used in one area are not used in another. This is especially important in spaces like hospitals, kitchens, and offices, where hygiene is critical. Research has shown that implementing a colour-coded cleaning system significantly reduces the risk of cross-contamination and infection. 
 
For example, there are two studies published in the Journal of Hospital Infection and ResearchGate found that colour-coded cleaning tools and equipment helped healthcare facilities reduce the spread of pathogens by clearly distinguishing between areas of high and low risk. This simple yet effective system ensures that cleaning tool used in restrooms, for instance, are not accidentally used in patient rooms or food preparation areas. 
 
The effectiveness of colour-coding in reducing cross-infection is well-documented in the researches, studies, articles published on websites of medical and healthcare authorities such as National Health Service (NHS), American Journal of Infection Control, and also the Ministries of Health and associated universities in various countries. These studies demonstrate that colour-coding is not just a visual aid but a scientifically supported method to improve cleanliness and reduce infection risks. 
 
 
Increased Focus on Cleaning Efficiency Post Global Health Crises
  • SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) pandemic (2002-2003)
  • H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) Pandemic (2009)
  • MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) Outbreak (2012)
  • Western African Ebola Virus Pandemic (2014-2016)
  • COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Pandemic (2019-2023)
 
Since the beginning of the 21st century, we have faced several Global Health Crises. All these Global Health Crises have heightened awareness about the importance of hygiene and infection control. These health crises have led to a significant shift in how people approach cleaning, with a greater emphasis on efficiency, thoroughness, and preventing cross-contamination.
 
As a result, colour-coded cleaning tools have become a cornerstone of modern hygiene practices, helping
organizations and individuals maintain safer, cleaner environments.
 
 
The Psychology of Colour in Cleaning Tools
Colours have a profound psychological impact on human behaviour and perception. When choosing colours for cleaning tools, it’s important to consider how they influence emotions, focus, and compliance with hygiene protocols. Here’s how psychology plays a role:
 
  • Blue: Often associated with calmness, trust, and cleanliness, blue is an excellent choice for general or low-risk areas like offices and hallways. It creates a sense of order and reliability, making it ideal for maintaining a clean and professional environment.
  • Green: Linked to nature, safety, and harmony, green is perfect for food-related areas like kitchens and restaurants. It promotes a sense of freshness and cleanliness, which is crucial in spaces where food is prepared and served.
  • Red: A strong, attention-grabbing colour, red is often associated with urgency and caution. This makes it suitable for high-risk areas like washrooms, where hygiene is critical. However, its intensity can also evoke stress or alarm, so it’s best avoided in places like hospitals or childcare centres.
  • Yellow: Bright and energizing, yellow is highly visible and stimulates mental clarity. It’s a great choice for clinical or medical areas, where attention to detail is essential. However, its vibrancy may be overwhelming in sombre environments like funeral services.
  • Orange: A vibrant and energetic colour, orange combines the warmth of red and the cheerfulness of yellow. It’s often used in environments that require high visibility and alertness, such as warehouses or industrial areas. Orange can also be used in childcare centres or schools to create a lively and engaging atmosphere.
  • White: Symbolizing purity and simplicity, white is ideal for household cleaning. It conveys a sense of cleanliness and is easy to spot when it becomes dirty, ensuring timely replacement or cleaning.
 
By understanding the psychological effects of colours, you can choose cleaning tool colours that not only serve a practical purpose but also create a positive and motivating environment.
 
 
Common Colour-Coding Practices
Here’s a breakdown of how colours are typically assigned in different environments:
 
  • Blue: Used for general or lower-risk areas, such as offices, hallways, or common spaces. 
  • Green: Ideal for food-related areas like restaurants, bars, and kitchens. Green is often associated with cleanliness and safety in food preparation zones. 
  • Red: Reserved for sanitary areas, such as washrooms or restrooms, where hygiene is a top priority. 
  • Yellow: Used in clinical or medical areas, including clinics, medical centres, and hospitals. Yellow is highly visible and helps distinguish tools used in healthcare settings. 
  • Orange: A vibrant and energetic colour, orange combines the warmth of red and the cheerfulness of yellow. It’s often used in environments that require high visibility and alertness, such as warehouses or industrial areas. Orange can also be used in childcare centres or schools to create a lively and engaging atmosphere.
  • White: Typically used for household cleaning, making it a great choice for homes or small spaces. 
 
 
Colours to Avoid in Certain Places 
While colour-coding is highly effective, some colours should be avoided in specific settings due to cultural, psychological, or practical reasons. Here are some examples: 
 
  • Hospitals: Avoid using red, as red is often associated with danger or blood, which can create unnecessary alarm in healthcare settings. 
  • Funeral Services: Steer clear of yellow and red. Yellow can be seen as too bright and inappropriate for sombre and sad environments, while red may evoke strong emotional reactions and also represented some festive atmosphere.
  • Food Preparation Areas: Avoid using white in high-traffic food zones, as stains and dirt are more visible on white, making it harder to maintain a clean appearance.
 
 
Tips for Choosing the Right Colour
 
  1. Identify Your Cleaning Areas: Categorize the spaces you need to clean (e.g., kitchen, washroom, office) and assign colours accordingly. 
  2. Follow Industry Standards: If you’re in a regulated industry like healthcare or food service, adhere to established colour-coding guidelines. 
  3. Prioritize Hygiene: Use dedicated colours for high-risk areas like washrooms (red) and food zones (green) to prevent cross-contamination. 
  4. Consider Cultural and Emotional Associations: Be mindful of how colours are perceived in specific environments, such as avoiding red in hospitals or yellow in funeral services.
  5. Leverage Psychology: Choose colours that evoke the right emotions and behaviours, such as calmness (blue) for offices or alertness (yellow) for clinical areas.
  6. KISS (Keep It Simple & Stupid): Choose colours that are easy to distinguish and remember for your team or household. 
 

 

Disclaimer 
The information provided in this article is primarily tailored to the cultural and working environment of Malaysia. Colour-coding practices, cultural associations, and industry standards may vary in other countries. For example, the use of red in hospitals or yellow in funeral services may not be applicable or appropriate in all regions. Always consider local regulations, cultural norms, and industry-specific guidelines when implementing a colour-coded cleaning system in your area. 
 
This article also references various articles, research studies, and books to provide accurate and evidence-based information.
 
 
Conclusion 
Selecting the right colour for your cleaning tool is a small but impactful step toward maintaining a clean and hygienic environment. By following a colour-coding system tailored to your space, you can ensure safer and more efficient cleaning practices. Backed by research, colour-coding has been proven to reduce the risk of cross-infection in hospitals, food service areas, and other critical environments. 
 
Invest in the right colour today and elevate your cleaning routine while safeguarding against cross-contamination!
 
 
References:
 
Assadian, S Harbarth, M Vos, J K Knobloch, A Asensio, A F Widmer (2021). Practical recommendations for routine cleaning and disinfection procedures in healthcare institutions: a narrative review. Journal of Hospital Infection (Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Healthcare Infection Society).
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Rodney E. Rohde (2016). Colour-Coding to Prevent Hospital Infections. ResearchGate.
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Martin Meuldijk (2021). Cleaning with color coding. royal brinkman.
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Amy Milshtein (2021). Color-Coding Cleaning Tools To Improve Safety. CleanLink.
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Wasserstrom (2024). Color-Coded Cleaning Systems Produce Better Results: Here’s Why. Wasserstrom Blog.
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Ao Jiang, Stephen Westland (2025). Colour Futures: Frontier Colour Research and Applications. Springer Nature Switzerland.
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Stephen Hoare, Mary Riley, Judith Adams (2022). Health T Level: Core. Hodder Education.
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World Health Organization (2023). Environmental Cleaning and Infection Prevention and Control in Health Care Facilities in Low- and Middle-income Countries: Modules and Resources. World Health Organization.
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