If you’ve ever walked into a professional cleaning environment, you may have noticed that microfibre cloths come in different colours. This isn’t just for aesthetic purposes - each colour serves a specific role in preventing cross-contamination and maintaining hygiene standards. Whether in offices, hospitals, or commercial kitchens, using the correct microfibre cloth for each task is essential for effective and safe cleaning.
Colour-coded microfibre cloths help ensure proper hygiene and reduce the risk of spreading bacteria between different areas. This is particularly important in environments where cleanliness is crucial, such as healthcare facilities, food preparation areas, and public spaces.
By assigning different colours to specific cleaning tasks, businesses can:
Prevent cross-contamination (e.g., using the same cloth in a bathroom and a kitchen can spread germs)
Improve cleaning efficiency (cleaners immediately know which cloth to use for each task)
Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations
At Cleancorp, we use strict colour-coded microfibre systems as part of our ISO-certified cleaning protocols, ensuring that every area is cleaned to the highest hygiene standards while reducing environmental impact.
Here’s a breakdown of what each colour typically represents:
Used for: Low-risk areas such as offices, desks, windows, and general surfaces.
Ideal for dusting, wiping desks, and polishing glass
Not used in high-risk or heavily contaminated areas
Used for: Bathroom sinks, mirrors, and tiled surfaces.
Used in low-risk bathroom areas such as sinks and counters
Not meant for toilet cleaning
Used for: Toilets, urinals, and sanitary fittings.
Specifically for toilet bowls, urinals, and other high-risk surfaces
Prevents the spread of germs from heavily contaminated areas
Used for: Kitchen counters, food preparation areas, and dining surfaces.
Helps maintain strict hygiene in food-related environments
Prevents cross-contamination between food prep areas and other spaces
| Cloth Colour | Used For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | General surfaces | Avoids spreading germs to high-risk areas |
| Yellow | Low-risk bathroom areas | Keeps sinks & mirrors separate from toilets |
| Red | Toilets & urinals | Limits cross-contamination in washrooms |
| Green | Kitchen & food areas | Protects food prep surfaces from bacteria |
There are actually more microfibe cloth colours beyond the classic blue, red, yellow and green. Different industries (especially hospitals, food services, or large facilities sometimes use extended colour coding for even more specific tasks. Keep reading for the broader breakdown of common additional microfibe cloth colours (and their meanings).
Used for: Isolation rooms, high-risk patient areas, infection control zones.
Why: Prevents cross-contamination in sensitive healthcare environments.
Used for: Surgical theatres, sterile clean rooms, high-level disinfection areas.
Why: White is easily bleached and clearly shows any contamination or residue.
Used for: Maintenance tasks, general-purpose areas not related to hygiene.
Why: To clearly differentiate from cloths used for hygiene-critical surfaces.
Used for: Cleaning fitness equipment, wellness centres, or machinery.
Why: Helps prevent cross-use from areas like restrooms or kitchens.
Used for: Grease, heavy soil areas, industrial floors.
Why: Separates high-soil tasks from general surface cleaning.
These extra colours further reduce cross-contamination, especially in large facilities, and help large teams stay organised (especially when multiple departments are involved). It also makes training and audits much easier as there's no guesswork involved!
To effectively use colour-coded microfibre cloths, businesses should:
Train staff on which colours correspond to specific areas.
Store cloths separately to avoid accidental misuse.
Regularly wash and disinfect cloths to maintain effectiveness and hygiene.
Replace cloths periodically to ensure cleaning efficiency isn’t compromised.
Explain why microfibre is better than cotton cloths:
Traps more dirt & bacteria.
Reduces chemical use (eco-friendly!).
Long-lasting and cost-effective.
It’s best to wash microfibre cloths separately by colour and purpose. This prevents cross-contamination and keeps high-risk cloths (like red or purple ones used for bathrooms or healthcare areas) from transferring bacteria to lower-risk cloths. Always avoid using fabric softener — it can damage the microfibre's ability to trap dirt.
The lifespan of a microfibre cloth depends on how often it’s used and how well it’s maintained. As a rule of thumb:
Replace heavily used cloths (e.g., red or green ones used daily) every 3–6 months.
For lower-use cloths (like blue for dusting), they can last up to a year with proper care.
When cloths start to lose their softness or cleaning efficiency, it's time to swap them out.
Using the wrong colour cloth can lead to cross-contamination, spreading bacteria or germs from one area to another. For example, using a bathroom cloth (red) in a kitchen can transfer harmful pathogens and compromise food safety. Sticking to colour codes is essential to maintain hygiene standards and protect people in your space.
Yes - in many cases! Microfibre cloths can trap up to 99% of bacteria with just water, reducing the need for harsh chemicals. However, in high-risk areas (like toilets or food prep zones), it's still recommended to pair microfibre with approved disinfectants for maximum safety.
Reputable, quality-focused cleaning companies — like Cleancorp — strictly follow colour-coded cloth systems as part of their hygiene protocols. It’s a core part of maintaining compliance with standards like ISO 9001 for quality and ISO 14001 for environmental management. If your cleaning provider doesn't follow a colour-coded system, it's definitely a red flag.
Using colour-coded microfibre cloths is a simple yet highly effective method for maintaining cleanliness and preventing the spread of germs. By implementing a proper system, businesses can create safer, healthier environments while ensuring compliance with industry hygiene standards.
Need high-quality microfibre cloths for your cleaning routine? Make sure to choose the right colours and keep your workspace hygienic and safe!