Look at any cleaning section of any store, anywhere across the country, and you will likely see the same thing – packs of brightly colored cleaning cloths and sponges.
These luminous rags might seem a bit garish, but it turns out there is a very important reason why cleaning supplies usually come in packs of contrasting shades.
Once an industry secret, color-coding cleaning supplies for each room or area is a smart cleaning tip to prevent cross-contamination for a more hygienic routine, according to our professional cleaners.
Color-coded cleaning
Color-coded cleaning is a method of organizing cleaning supplies usually used in commercial spaces to adhere to chemical safety regulations. The idea is astringent chemicals are marked with defining colors so it is easy to keep them separate and not mix them up.
It also makes the worker's lives easier. When I worked as a lifeguard in my teens, for instance, the last thing I wanted to do was mix up ammonia with bleach.
Joshua Bartlett, home improvement expert and home blogger at I’ll Just Fix It Myself, adds that, on a domestic level, color-coded cleaning helps to prevent similar cross-contamination, stopping the spread of germs and bacteria.
He says, 'Having everything color-coded and packed up together in a caddy is a great way to keep a space organized. It is a visual reminder to switch out cloths between rooms or surfaces, stopping bad cleaning habits and ensuring you are using clean tools for a clean home.'
That's not the only benefit to investing in this rainbow upgrade, either.
1. It can motivate you to clean
Getting the motivation to clean can be hard, but if you are someone who appreciates the visual aesthetics of a task, then color coding could be the simple trick needed to convince your mind to get on with your to-do list.
Lina DaSilva, cleaning expert and founder of Toronto Shine Cleaning shares, ‘A client once remarked how the color-coding system transformed her home into a space where cleanliness was not a chore but something far more relaxing and rewarding. There is a reason we find images of color-coded home storage so satisfying, after all. It really is worth trying if you need that little extra push to get things done.’
2. It helps you keep everything stocked up
When you color code your cleaning supplies, it is far easier to see what you have at a glance, allowing you to stay stocked up on cleaning essentials, says Joshua Bartlett.
Having designated products also means you can keep assigned products in the rooms they are needed in, Josh adds, making it easier to clean quickly whenever you have some spare time or practice cleaning methods such as the ‘last-things-first’ approach.
3. It helps reduce feelings of overwhelm
Just as it can motivate you to clean, color-coding your cleaning products can be a game-changer if you often find yourself cleaning when overwhelmed.
Punteha van Terheyden, head of Solved, explains, ‘Assigning one color to all the products and tools for one space helps you visualize exactly what you need before you start, helping to take some of the stress out of preparing to clean.'
Shop color-coded cleaning tools
Although this may sound like a tricky way to choose supplies, there are some great cleaning brands such as Method, available at Target, who make cleaning products in every color, making it easier to create a strict key to adhere to at home.
All prices correct at time of publishing.
I personally love this pink-grapefruit cleaning spray for around my home. It also looks great with a matching pink microfiber cloth for dusting bedrooms and living rooms.
Pairing pink cleaning sprays with pink cloths is a fun and safe way to stay on top of general dusting around key spaces like the living room, bedroom, and entryway. Large packs means I can stash cloths in each area for easy cleaning.
Damp dusters are one of the best tools for collecting dust. Having two for general household cleaning keeps them more sanitary than if you were to use the same duster in your living spaces and bathrooms.
Method's mint blue bathroom cleaner is a great all-around spray for bathroom surfaces. It also smells fantastic and can easily be paired with some blue cloths for a co-ordinating set.
Having multiple cleaning cloths for one room might seem overkill, but it allows you a different tool for each key area, form the toilet to the shower to the sink to prevent contamination.
A squeegee is key to cleaning shower glass without streaks. A distinct color coded tool stops you getting it mixed up with your outdoor window cleaning tool to prevent dirt contamination and smearing.
This brightly colored anti-bacterial spray is fantasic for cleaning kitchens, helping to break down dirt and kill germs on counters and cutting boards alike.
Like the bathroom, having several cloths for the kitchen prevents contamination, and lets you clean while other cloths are in the washing machine for a constantly hygienic space.
A good scrubbing brush is a must for a kitchen, helping to reach tough spots like the ridges around sinks and stoves, and helping to remove tough burnt on grime.
Degreasing is it's own special kind of hell, but a heavy duty plant-based degreasing spray can help make light work of this tough task.
Black cloths are best for degreasing surfaces and ovens in your home as they won't stain. Just remember to wash them between uses to prevent contamination.
Cleaning cloths won't always cut it when it comes to grease. A good scrubbing brush with soft bristles will help you break down tough deposits more easily without damaging the surface below.
It is important to note, however, that like any approach to cleaning, there are some downfalls, Joshua Bartlett, home improvement expert, warns, 'The initial setup cost can't be ignored,’ he points out. ‘To set up multiple areas, you will end up buying multiples of the same items like brushes, towels, cleaning agents, caddies, labels, etc. which will add up quickly. You will have to tally up the costs to see if it is worth it for you.’
All in all, however, it is certainly one of the best cleaning tips I have learned from pro cleaners in a long time.
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