Colour-Coded Cleaning Guide for Restaurants, Hotels and Cafés
Colour-coded cleaning means giving every area its own colour of cloth, mop and bucket, so equipment used in a washroom never reaches a kitchen counter. It is one of the simplest ways to stop cross-contamination, and food safety inspectors expect to see a clear system in any food business. This guide explains the widely used four-colour scheme and how to set it up in a restaurant, hotel or café in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi or anywhere in the UAE.
We supply colour-coded microfibre cloths, mops and buckets and gloves from our Sharjah warehouse. Send us your list for a whole site.
The four-colour system
| Colour | Where it is used | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Toilets and washroom floors (highest risk) | Toilet bowls, urinals, the floor around them |
| Yellow | Washroom surfaces other than toilets | Basins, taps, mirrors, partitions, dispensers |
| Blue | General low-risk areas | Dining rooms, reception, offices, corridors, guest rooms |
| Green | Food and bar areas | Kitchen counters, prep areas, bar tops, food service |
Whatever scheme you use, the rule is the same: one colour, one area, written on a chart that every cleaner can see.
Setting it up
- Map your site into zones: kitchen and bar, dining and public areas, washrooms, and any special areas such as a pool or gym.
- Give each zone a colour and buy every tool for that zone in that colour: cloths, mop heads, buckets, sponges and gloves.
- Store each colour separately, close to its zone. A cleaning trolley with colour-matched buckets helps housekeeping teams.
- Put up a colour chart in each cleaning cupboard and in the kitchen.
- Train new staff on day one, and check it during routine inspections.
- Launder by colour and replace cloths before they wear thin.
Why microfibre
- Microfibre picks up and holds dust, grease and many bacteria with water alone, so less chemical is needed.
- It dries streak-free on glass, stainless steel and mirrors.
- It is washable and reusable for many cycles, unlike disposable wipes.
Caring for microfibre
- Wash each colour separately, and wash kitchen cloths apart from washroom cloths.
- Do not use fabric softener: it clogs the fibres and stops them picking up dirt.
- Avoid bleach and very high heat, which shorten a cloth's life; follow the label.
- Air-dry or tumble-dry on low heat.
What else a cleaning system needs
- Floor care: mops and buckets, squeegees, brooms and dustpans, floor machines.
- Chemicals: detergents, degreasers and sanitisers, used at the right dilution.
- Washrooms: restroom supplies, tissue and paper towel dispensers, soap and sanitiser dispensers.
- Waste: bins and liners, with separate bins for food waste.
- Safety: wet-floor signs and first aid.
Frequently asked questions
What do the cleaning colour codes mean?
In the common four-colour scheme, red is for toilets and washroom floors, yellow for other washroom surfaces, blue for general low-risk areas such as dining rooms and offices, and green for food and bar areas.
Which colour cloth is used in a kitchen?
Green, in the four-colour scheme. Kitchen and bar cloths must never be used in washrooms or general areas.
Is colour-coded cleaning required for restaurants in the UAE?
Food businesses must prevent cross-contamination, and a colour-coded system is the standard way to show inspectors that cleaning tools are separated by area. Check your emirate's food safety guidance for the exact requirements.
Where can I buy colour-coded cleaning supplies in the UAE?
Bait Al Diafa supplies colour-coded microfibre cloths, mops, buckets, gloves and cleaning chemicals from its Sharjah warehouse, with delivery to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and all seven emirates. See janitorial supplies.