Colour-coded cleaning equipment prevents cross-contamination between chemicals that, when combined, could create toxic fumes that can be fatal. The colour coding system also enables the tracking of rogue tools and ensures that everything stays where it belongs.
But why does colour-coding work?
Why is Colour-Coding Effective?
Colour coding encourages rapid association in your brain and allows you to remember information quickly. Our school books, chopping boards, and upcoming events on our phones are all colour-coded. So why not cleaning equipment?
When referenced repeatedly, you begin knowing what particular colours indicate without even thinking about it. So, using a colour-coded system for your cleaning equipment is an effective method of keeping it segregated.
Which Cleaning Supplies Should I Colour Code?
If you really wanted to, you could colour-code everything. Whether you’re doing it to separate the equipment into each department in your building or so you know that you’ve used bleach in that bucket that you’re about to pour an acidic solution into.
There are a few basic colour-coded items you can implement in your home or workplace that include:
- Mops
- Gloves
- Cloths
- Brushes
- Buckets
Why Should I Colour Code My Cleaning Supplies?
The best way to think of it is: When visiting a restaurant, would you feel comfortable eating the food prepared on a surface cleaned with the same cloth used in the bathrooms? Even if it had been washed since? We certainly wouldn’t.
When you’ve got five of the same bucket, you can’t confidently know where it was last used. And if it wasn’t cleaned properly, you risk mixing cleaners and accidentally creating a toxic gas.
How Severe is Mixing Cleaners?
Mixing cleaning solutions can create highly toxic fumes that irritate or worsen respiratory problems, cause allergic reactions, headaches and even chemical burns. If you’re cleaning in a space with little ventilation, it’s essential that you wear a mask or have close access to a door in case you do inhale any fumes.
Which Chemicals Create Toxic Fumes?
The main causation chemical that creates toxic fumes is bleach.
- Bleach + Vinegar = Chlorine Gas.
- Bleach + Ammonia = Chloramine.
- Bleach + Rubbing Alcohol = Chloroform.
- Hydrogen Peroxide = Peracetic / Peroxyacetic Acid.
Aside from vinegar and rubbing alcohol, you might not know where these chemicals come from and how common they are.
Ammonia is found in many general-purpose cleaning solutions, and Hydrogen Peroxide is used to make disinfectant sprays.
So it’s unbelievably easy to accidentally use the same cleaning equipment and inadvertently mix chemicals.
Colour-coded cleaning equipment diminishes this possibility, as you’ll know what kind of cleaning solution each supply has been exposed to.
What Colour-Coded Cleaning Equipment Can I Buy From Galleon Supplies?
Here at Galleon Supplies, you’ll find a range of cleaning equipment at great individual and bulk prices for your home or business.
Discover products for every area, including washroom supplies, hand washing, medical supplies, blue roll, rags and wipes, cleaning and janitorial equipment and even eco-friendly alternatives.
Choose Galleon Supplies as your provider of cleaning equipment now.
