Cross-contamination is the unintentional transfer of contaminants and microorganisms from one surface to another, causing a clean or already treated area to become contaminated again. Preventing this is a fundamental task for every professional cleaning company because the quality of the service depends not only on the visible result but also on the way it is achieved.
Prevention begins with the preparation of the team. It is determined in advance which cleaning supplies will be used in each area and how they will be separated after use. This rule must remain unchanged until the work is completed.
How does color coding reduce the risk?
The coding indicates the intended use of the microfiber cloths and allows the cleaning supplies used in different areas of the facility to remain separate.
The system is effective only when the allocation is clear to the entire team and is applied at every facility. The meaning of each color does not have to be the same across all cleaning companies, but once established, the system should not be changed based on the employee or the specific task.
Color separation does not replace staff training or performance monitoring but is an integral part of both. For the people working in the building, it is also a visible sign that the cleaning and sanitizing procedures are being carried out systematically.
What colors do we use at iCare?
At iCare, we work with three groups of microfiber cloths:
Light blue: for glass surfaces
Yellow: for sanitary facilities
Green:: for kitchens
This ensures that each cloth remains in its designated area, eliminating one of the main routes through which cross-contamination can occur during cleaning.
What principles do we follow?
Wekeep the supply storage area clean and organized.
We store clean supplies properly:We keep washed cloths and mop pads in sealed plastic bags to prevent them from becoming contaminated before use. They are removed only when they are about to be used or when a cleaning or disinfecting solution is applied to them.
ОпределWe designate a separate place for used cloths.те кърпи. Used supplies are placed in designated trolleys and laundry bags. Clean textile products are never placed in the same trolleys or bags.
Weclean the equipment regularly. Trolleys, supply baskets, mop handles, and all other equipment must also be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
How do we monitor compliance with the system?
At iCare, the intended use of cleaning supplies is included in the work instructions for each facility. The manager responsible for the facility checks whether they are used only in their designated areas and whether clean and used cloths are stored separately. Any deviation is corrected immediately. This monitoring turns color coding into an effective measure against cross-contamination.
