Disinfecting Implements and Nonelectrical Tools
1) It is important to wear safety glasses and gloves while disinfecting nonelectrical tools and
implements to protect your eyes from unintentional splashes of disinfectant and to
prevent possible contamination of the implements by your hands and to protect your
hands from the powerful chemicals in the disinfectant solution
2) Rinse all implements with warm running water, and then thoroughly clean them with
soap, a nail brush, and warm water. Brush grooved items, if necessary, and open hinged
implements to scrub the revealed area.
3) Rinse away all traces of soap with warm running water. The presence of soap in most
disinfectants will cause them to become inactive. Soap is most easily rinsed off in warm,
not hot, water. Hotter water is not more effective. Dry implements thoroughly with a
clean or disposable towel, or allow them to air dry on a clean towel. Your implements are
now properly cleaned and ready to be disinfected.
4) Dry implements thoroughly with a clean or disposable towel or all allow them to air dry
on a clean towel. Your implements are now properly cleaned and ready to be disinfected.
5) It is extremely important that your implements be completely clean before you place
them in the disinfectant solution. If implements are not clean, your disinfectant may
become contaminated and ineffective. Immerse cleaned implements in an appropriate
disinfection container holding an EPA-registered disinfectant for the required time (at
least 10 minutes or according to the manufacturer’s instructions). Remember to open
hinged implements before immersing them in the disinfectant. If the disinfection solution
is visibly dirty, or if the solution has been contaminated, it must be replaced.
6) After the required disinfection times has passed, remove tools and implements from the
disinfection solution with tongs or gloved hands, rinse the tools and implements well in
warm running water, and pat them dry.
7) Store disinfected tools and implements in a clean, covered container until needed.
8) Remove gloves and thoroughly wash your hands with warm running water and liquid
soap. Rinse and dry hands with a clean fabric or disposable towel.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Whirlpool, Air-Jet, and Pipe-less Foot Spas
Whirlpool Foot Spas and Air-Jet Basins
After every client:
1. Drain all water from the basin.
2. Scrub all visible residue from the inside walls of the basin with a brush and liquid soap
and water. Use a clean and disinfected brush with a handle. Brushes must be cleaned and
disinfected after each use.
3. Rinse the basin with clean water.
4. Refill the basin with clean water and circulate the correct amount (read the label for
mixing instructions) of the EPA registered hospital disinfectant through the basin for ten
minutes.
5. Drain, rinse and wipe dry with a clean paper towel.
At the end of every day: remove the screen and any other removable parts (a screwdriver
may be necessary) and then:
1. Clean the screen and other removable parts and the area behind these with a brush and
liquid soap and water to remove all visible residue and replace properly cleaned screen
and other removable parts.
2. Fill the basin with warm water and chelating detergent (cleansers designed for use in hard
water) and circulate the chelating detergent through the spa system for five - ten minutes
(follow manufacturer’s instructions). If excessive foaming occurs, discontinue circulation
and let soak for the remainder of the ten minutes.
3. Drain the soapy solution and rinse the basin.
4. Refill the basin with clean water and circulate the correct amount (read the label for
mixing instructions) of the EPA registered hospital disinfectant through the basin for ten
minutes.
5. Drain, rinse and wipe dry with a clean paper towel.
6. Allow the basin to dry completely.
“Pipe-less” Foot Spas for Units with
Footplates, Impellers, Impeller Assemblies and Propellers
After every client:
a. Drain all water from the basin.
b. Remove impeller, footplate and any other removable components according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
c. Thoroughly scrub impeller, footplate and/or other components and the areas behind each
with a liquid soap and a clean, disinfected brush to remove all visible residue, and then
reinsert impeller, footplate and/or other components.
d. Refill the basin with water and circulate the correct amount (read the label for mixing
instructions) of the EPA registered hospital disinfectant through the basin for ten minutes.
e. Drain, rinse and wipe dry with a clean paper towel.
ii.
At the end of every day:
a. Fill the basin with warm water and chelating detergent (cleansers designed for use in hard
water) and circulate the chelating detergent through the spa system for five to ten minutes
(follow manufacturer’s instructions). If excessive foaming occurs, discontinue circulation
and let soak for the remainder of the ten minutes.
b. Drain the soapy solution and rinse the basin.
c. Refill the basin with clean water and circulate the correct amount (read the label for
mixing instructions) of the EPA registered hospital disinfectant through the basin for ten
minutes.
d. Drain, rinse and wipe dry with a clean paper towel.
iii.
At least once each week:
a. Do not drain the disinfectant solution - Turn off the unit and leave the disinfecting
solution in the unit overnight.
b. In the morning drain, rinse and wipe dry with a clean paper towel. Non-whirlpool foot
basins or tubs this includes basins, tubs, footbaths, sinks and bowls – all non-electrical
equipment that holds water for a client’s feet during a pedicure service.
iv.
After every client:
a. Drain all water from the foot basin or tub.
b. Clean all inside surfaces of the foot basin or tub to remove all visible residues with a
clean, disinfected brush and liquid soap and water.
c. Rinse the basin or tub with clean water.
d. Refill the basin with clean water and the correct amount (read the label for mixing
instructions) of the EPA registered hospital disinfectant. Leave this disinfecting solution
in the basin for ten minutes.
e. Drain, rinse and wipe dry with a clean paper towel
At the end of every day:
f. Drain all water from the foot basin or tub.
g. Clean all inside surfaces of the foot basin or tub to remove all visible residues with a
brush and liquid soap and water.
h. Fill the basin or tub with water and the correct amount (read the label for mixing
instructions) of the EPA registered hospital disinfectant. Leave this disinfecting solution
in the basin for ten minutes.
i. Drain, rinse and wipe dry with a clean paper towel. Additional Information about
Disinfectants and Detergent Cleaners
j. EPA registered liquid disinfectants used in the salon:
v.
Must have the words ‘bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal’ and ‘hospital’ on the
label.
vi.
Must be mixed, used, stored and disposed of according to manufacturer’s label
instructions. *It is against Federal Law to use an EPA registered disinfectant
contrary to its label.
vii.
Must be prepared fresh every day and replaced immediately when the solution
becomes visibly contaminated.
viii. Are ineffective when proper cleaning is not performed before use.
ix.
Requires complete immersion of implements in the correct amount of disinfectant
for ten minutes after cleaning of all visible residues. Complete immersion means
enough liquid to cover all surfaces of the item. Note: if the disinfectant
manufacturer’s label requires a different immersion time for soaking, you should
always follow the label’s instructions.
a. Spray disinfectants are for cleaning surfaces only and are not adequate for disinfecting
tools and pedicure equipment in the salon.
b. EPA registered hospital “one-step” cleaner/ disinfectants may be used for disinfecting
pedicure equipment if:
c. they are EPA registered, hospital, bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal and have the
words ‘one-step’ on the label
d. Tools and equipment are first cleaned of large amounts of residue.
e. Are used exactly as described by the manufacturer’s instructions.
x.
All bottles and containers (other than the original manufacturers’ container)
containing any disinfectant must be properly labeled listing the contents,
percentage solution (concentration) and date of mixing.
xi.
Surfactant chelating detergents break down residue from pedicure products and
are effective in hard water. Hard water contains calcium and magnesium ions,
which can inactivate disinfectants and create residue films that are difficult for
ordinary detergents to remove.
xii.
All brushes used to remove visible debris from the foot spa; tub or basin must be
properly cleaned and disinfected between each use.
xiii.
xiv.
You must record the time of each cleaning procedure in the salon pedicure
cleaning log. Keep a log available to show clients. It demonstrates that you
regularly clean and disinfect your pedicure equipment, to ensure the customer is
protected.
Read and follow the instructions provided with the pedicure equipment to ensure
proper use.
Handling an Exposure Incident
1. First, stop the service. Inform your client of what has happened and let the client know
you are taking care of your cut, and the service will be interrupted for a couple of
minutes. If the nature of your cut is severe, ask a salon employee to assist with the
exposure incident.
2. If receiving assistance, have the salon employee put on gloves. When appropriate, wash
the injury with soap and water. Apply slight pressure to the wound with cotton to stop the
bleeding and then cleanse the area with an antiseptic.
3. Apply an adhesive bandage to completely cover the wound.
4. Now that your cut is properly cleaned and covered, put on gloves. Return to the service
area, and remove any implements that may have been contaminated, placing them in your
container for dirty items. If surfaces were contaminated, spray or wipe with approved
disinfectant and allow sitting for the contact time listed on the product label.
5. Discard all single-use, contaminated objects such as wipes, cotton balls and your gloves
in a plastic bag. Place the plastic bag in a closed trash container with a liner bag. Deposit
sharp disposables in a sharps box. Dispose of trash items and sharps containers as
required by state/local law. Information on these laws may be found on your local
cosmetology board website or through the OSHA website.
6. Now that all disinfecting is complete, put on a new pair of gloves before you return to the
service. Remember to dry any surfaces sprayed with disinfectant, and always use new
implements to replace those that were contaminated.
7. After the service has completed, thoroughly clean and disinfect all tools and implements
used during the service. Completely immerse tools and implements in an EPA-registered
hospital disinfectant solution for 10 minutes. See a physician if any signs of redness,
swelling, pain or irritation develop in the wounded area.
Preparing Tools and Implements for Sterilization
1.
2.
3.
4.
Gather supplies
Gather tools and implements to be sterilized.
Put on disposable gloves
Inspect tools or implements or signs of visible dirt, debris or residue that requires extra
cleaning. Rinse tools or implements using warm running water.
5. Thoroughly scrub tools or implements using a clean disinfected brush, soap or detergent
and warm water to remove any visible gross debris (hair, blood, sebaceous material,
etc.).
6. Rinse each tool or implement to remove all soap or detergent.
7. Inspect each tool or implement for any residual debris. If any residual debris is found, reclean.
8. Rinse each tool or implement using running water and pat dry.
9. Package tools or implements with indicators dated for the day of autoclaving (within 24
hours of packaging). If needed lubricate any hinged tools. Place all hinged tools or
implements in the package in the open position.
10. Ensure that all packages and indicators are properly marked with the description of the
tool or implement, the date, and your initials as the practitioner processing the tools or
implements.