Sanitation is a crucial part of every salon’s routine. A clean, tidy salon makes clients feel comfortable and want to return, and following the correct disinfection protocol is necessary for the safety of both clients and nail techs. Amber Edwards, nail director at Mario Tricoci Salons & Spas, says the salons have a four-week training period for new techs, during which they are trained on sanitation and procedures. “We have written protocols for all processes so all techs have something to refer back to,” she says. “There are no shortcuts when it comes to proper cleaning and sanitation disinfection.” Salon owner and Nail Talk Radio co-host Athena Elliott advocates keeping records. “Documentation is your best friend, from cleaning logs to client conditions,” she says.

Keeping your air clean and your filtration systems functioning is another important consideration. “Protecting you and your clients’ breathing zone is one of the top issues nail techs should keep in mind,” says Elliott. “Issues like vapors from the chemicals we use all day long, breathing in super fine dust that can’t be seen and airborne microbes screaming diseases should be just as important as keeping the salon itself clean.” Nail techs should check whether their ventilation system is fully effective and replace filters when necessary.

To make your job easier, we’ve categorized your tasks according to priority and frequency.

Must Do:
Be sure to do these things between every service you perform.
o Wash your hands and have your clients wash their hands as well.
o Change your gloves.
o Remove old towels and replace them with fresh, clean ones.
o Wash and disinfect reusable implements and pedicure spas or basins.
o Discard disposable implements or give them to your client.
o Sanitize your manicure table and UV/LED lamp.
o Clean your e-file, replacing the bit with a new or sanitized bit.
o Change implement disinfectant per manufacturer’s instructions.
o Perform additional cleaning of pedicure spas according to state board and manufacturers’ regulations.

Should do:
Do these things every day.
o Check your sanitation log and see that it’s up to date.
o Empty trash receptacles.
o Sweep, mop, or vacuum floors.
o Wash and put away towels.
o Make sure your nail stations are stocked with cleaning supplies and other necessary items.
o Disinfect your cleaning tools.
o Don’t forget to clean the employee break room and the bathroom!

When You Have Time:
Be sure to do these things periodically.
o Check filters on the salon’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and change or replace them if necessary.
o Make sure autoclaves are functioning properly.
o Clean glass and mirrors.
o Sanitize door handles, hand rails, and other surfaces.
o Dust hard-to-reach areas.
o Premix disinfectants and sanitizers to save time later.
o Is it time to change the bulbs in your lamp?

Products for a Clean Salon

The Mehaz Professional Disinfectant Tray is compact and convenient for disinfecting implements, shears, and non-porous files; it fits on any surface. The see-through window design provides clear visibility. The tray is designed with a raising basket, which raises and lowers when you lift the lid, keeping hands dry.
www.spilo.com

Isabel Cristina’s Let’s Dance Ultra High Dilution Concentrate comes with a spray kit for foot spas, nail files, e-file bits, counter tops, and mirrors. This allows nail technicians and stylists the opportunity to use this disinfectant for almost everything in the salon. Let’s Touch features a no-rust formula for metal implements like nippers, drill bits, and pushers, allowing nail technicians the opportunity to soak implements overnight without the fear of rusting. Both are EPA-registered, hospital-grade tuberculocidal disinfectants that disinfect completely in 10 minutes.
www.isabelcristina.com

Splish Splash One Step Disinfectant cleans and disinfects in one step. It can be used to clean and disinfect pedicure spas, implements, and any hard surface. The formula is clear and odorless and no artificial dyes are used.
www.splishsplashcleaners.com

BactiBarrier is a two-step system. Step one is an EPA-registered detergent/disinfectant that kills 99.9% of microbes after 10 minutes, and can be used on surfaces, implements, and pedicure equipment. The second step is the Surface Protector, which should be applied once a week after step one. The Surface Protector bonds with the surface and makes it actively anti-microbial through its unique spear-shaped molecule. It draws microbes like bacteria and viruses to its spear-shape and punctures the cell membrane, destroying it. The dead microbes are cleared away during normal cleaning, but the spears remain, ready to attract and kill more microbes. The Surface Protector is safe for all surfaces and can be used around people and pets safely.
www.bactibarriersalon.com

OPI Spa Complete One-Step Cleaner and Disinfectant works on hard surfaces, implements, and pedicure equipment. This one-step, hospital-grade, EPA-registered disinfectant cleaner is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, viruses, fungus, mold, mildew, and odors. It delivers non-acid, pipe-safe cleaning and disinfectant performance with a built-in chelator that dissolves hard water residue to ensure the deepest level of clean.
www.opi.com

Barbicide Disinfecting Wipes are economical, easy-to-use disinfecting wipes that can be used on any non-porous surface. They are EPA-registered, hospital grade, and have a two minute contact time, ensuring that your salon, spa, or barbershop meet sanitation and disinfection guidelines in just a few minutes.
www.barbicide.com