Updated 22 October 2026 · Avenclear Cleaning
The four colours
| Colour | Used for | Typical areas |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Highest risk of contamination | Toilets, urinals and washroom floors |
| Blue | General, lower-risk areas | Offices, corridors, receptions, classrooms |
| Green | Food preparation and serving | Kitchens, canteens, tea points, bars |
| Yellow | Clinical and isolation areas | Treatment rooms, surgeries, isolation rooms |
Where the system comes from
Two closely aligned schemes are used in the UK. The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) colour code is the common standard in commercial buildings. The NHS adopted a similar national code for healthcare settings. Both use the same four colours for the same broad purposes.
Specifications differ on a few details, for example whether washroom basins are cleaned with red or blue equipment. The important thing is that your specification says which, and that everyone follows it.
What gets colour-coded
- Cloths and microfibres
- Mop heads, mop handles and buckets
- Gloves, where practical
- Spray bottles, labelled with their contents
Making it work on site
Colour coding only works if the equipment is stored and washed separately. Red mop heads should be laundered apart from green ones, and each area's kit kept in its own labelled storage. A simple wall chart in the cleaner's cupboard helps new and cover staff get it right first time.
It is also worth checking during audits. If a blue cloth turns up in a washroom, the system has failed, whatever the room looks like.