Every salon owner has a duty to their clients to maintain excellent hygiene standards. You know the risks of cross-infection and how dangerous they can be for your clientele. You and your employees, therefore, must take every precaution to ensure all equipment, surfaces, furnishings, and products used for salon treatments are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between clients.
Why is it important to maintain good hygiene in a salon?
You want your clients to feel safe at their appointments especially during COVID-19. Most people assume salon owners are taking the proper precautions to protect them from infection, and rarely think to ask if this is actually the case. You have an obligation to maintain the most hygienic environment possible to help ensure the well-being of your customers and staff. You also need to protect public health using the highest standards for your hygiene practices. Additionally, you will receive better reviews, more referrals, and see your business flourish when you follow best hygiene practices.
Useful Tips to Maintain Hygiene in a Salon
To start, you should prepare a hygiene checklist of best practices that staff can use to ensure they are following proper procedures. It is also vital that each team member is provided with thorough training, so they understand not only how to keep the salon clean, but also why. Here are some tips that all owners should follow to maintain good hygienic practices in their salons:
Keep the Premises Clean
When clients walk into a salon, they want to see a clean environment that smells fresh and looks well cared for. This requires thorough, ongoing cleaning of all surfaces including counters, walls, and floors. However, it is not enough to get that “surface” clean. Instead, you want to ensure you are using effective products designed to maximize cleaning efficiency. Invest in products designed to not only clean, but also disinfect. A single cleaner is often not enough, as you require the proper cleaners designed for the various work surfaces in your salon.
Keep the Salon Furniture Clean
Your salon chairs—both for treatments and in waiting areas—should be easy to clean. Choosing PVC or vinyl provides an elegant look, with a material that is soft to the touch, but that also makes cleaning a breeze. Cleaning agents designed to clean PVC and vinyl do not contain alcohol, as this can take away the softness of the material and lead to cracking. The more cracked the surface becomes, the more difficult it is to clean, and the more likely your furniture can grow bacteria. Such cracks also make your salon look uninviting.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
This is Cosmetology 101 training. Regular handwashing is a must for all staff members, especially after interacting with customers. A portable hand washing sink should be installed in areas where clients receive treatments to make it easier for regular handwashing. Provide staff with a good antibacterial soap so they can wash their hands with soap and warm water after dealing with customers to remove germs and reduce risk for passing on germs from client to client.
Sanitize and Sterilize Salon Tools
Any equipment used to treat clients must be sanitized after each use. This is especially important for tools and equipment that come in direct contact with the skin. Thorough sterilization of all parts will reduce the risk of cross-infections. This is not the time to cut corners, as you are creating a serious public health issue if you fail to adhere to strict sanitation and sterilization practices.
Also, make sure cosmetologists and salon staff read the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to clean instruments and tools to ensure the equipment is not damaged in the process. If the part of the equipment that comes into contact with clients is dropped during treatments, that part must be re-sterilized. With this in mind, it is a good idea to keep an additional set of tools at each workstation, so treatment is not interrupted.
Salon Hygiene Products Checklist
To make it easier to maintain proper hygiene in your salon, ensure you have the following products on hand:
- Disinfectant for tools
- Disinfectant jar
- Disposable gloves
- Tissues
- Sprays
- Sterilizers and cleaners
- Hand soap and sanitizer
- Clean towels and paper towels
- Antibacterial surface cleaner
This helps increase compliance for proper cleaning by using the right tools and products for the job.
If you establish good hygiene practices in your salon from the start, it becomes far easier to ensure that their maintenance continues. With effective training of all staff members and by following these hygiene tips, you can make your salon a healthier and safer place for both clients and employees. You’ll create a far more welcoming environment to encourage repeat customers and provide safe services for every visit.