Performing Basic Preventive and Corrective Maintenance

Sterilizing, sanitizing, disinfecting, and cleaning the implements and equipment are just steps
towards good maintenance. There are other ways how to prevent tools and equipment from being
damaged and make sure that they shall be used for a longer period of time.
As mentioned in Lesson 2.1, improper care of tools and equipment may cause contamination on
them
Below are some tips on how to prevent product contamination:
1. Remaining products between clients shall be disposed of thereafter
2. When removing products from a container for application, use a disposable implement or
clean and disinfected spatula. Pour product into a disposable or "disinfectable" service cup.
3. In applying the product, use a bottle applicator or dropper

Maintenance of Nail Nippers

Just like nail clippers, keeping nipper's blade or cutting edge of nail clipper sharp is very
essential Always keep your nipper secured, especially the blades whenever they are not in use Re
member not to soak them in detergent and in plain water Always disinfect them with alcohol
before and after each use Nippers must be stored separately from other implements to avoid
being damaged or dulled. Most importantly nippers are designed for personal grooming, thus it
must not be used for any other purposes
Unsanitary use of implement may also cause infection to the clients. Tools that are kept in
individual pack must be properly cleaned and disinfected 100 If clients provide their own
implements, still sanitation and disinfection must be observed Failure to do so can increase risk
of infection
Scheduling sanitation or disinfection of tools and equipment is also important. For example, a
foot spa or basin must not only be cleaned or rinsed every day
In addition, nail care technicians should always be aware of the appropriate disinfectants in
keeping the tools safe to use in choosing disinfectant, be sure to have those with labels indicating
"bactericidal "fungicidal" and "virucidal" and with complete and proper labels of content
percentage solution and date of mixing

How to Keep the Workplace Clean and Safe

There are sanitation guidelines that should be observed in the salon industry. Some of these
guidelines are the following:
1. Nail technicians and workers should always clean both their hands and their clients' hands or
feet before service This will reduce the risk of spreading germs from client to client
2. Sanitize and disinfect all implements, equipment and materials that come in contact with a
client prior to giving nail services to another client
3. If any metal tool or hard piece of equipment has come in contact with blood, body fluid.
infection or an unhealthy condition, disinfection of these equipment or tools is necessary
However, if any porous nail implement has come in contact with blood, dispose these tools
Porous items are made of cloth, wood or other absorbent materials. These include most of nail
files, orangewood stick, cotton, paper mats, towels and buffer blocks
4. Designate separate storage for clean and disinfected tools and soiled or used tools
5. It is highly recommended to disinfect the tools, implements and equipment after sanitizing
them Sanitation is the first step to safety, but disinfection kills germs
6. Use clean towels and/or manicure mats for each client
7. If blood or body fluid comes in contact with any salon surface, the salon workers should put
on protective gloves and clean it with liquid disinfectant

Nail and Pedicure Safety and Cleaning Procedures

The following are some of the guidelines that must be observed to ensure that the salon is clean
and safe for the clients
1. Clean all tools and equipment from all visible residues after using them
2. After cleaning, immerse the tools and implements in liquid disinfectants for 10. minutes
However, refer to manufacturer's direction before using the disinfectants
3. Remove implements from the liquid disinfectants using tongs or gloves Rinse and dry
4. Store cleaned tools in a closed and clean container
5. All client work areas including nail tables and floor rests shall be kept clean at all times
6 After using multi-used tool, clean it and immerse it in liquid disinfecting solution.

Cleanliness of nail salon is not only about the tools and equipment that are directly used with
clients. It also covers the other aspects of nail salon or the place itself. Clients, most likely than
not, are to be attracted and willing to go back to a nail salon that does not only offer quality nail
care services but also offers good and relaxing salon environment and ambiance

There are at least 4 areas to always keep an eye into in terms of salon safety and cleanliness
These are the cleanliness of facilities, workstation, ventilation and the nail technicians
As a nail technician always be reminded that the cleaner the facilities, the less chance that your
clients would get sick or harm inside your salon. You can go around your salon and check that
the floor is free from any clutter or nail clipping leftovers. Nail clippings must be swept before
another client is served. This is for both the nail technician and client's safety. Also check that
the laboratory or bath room of your salon is well maintained Oftentimes, the appearance of the
wash room reflects how clean the entire salon is.
Workstation must also be put into consideration There should be no clutter or residue of any
performed nail care services before another client Every workstation must be cleaned and
sanitized all the times
Nail salons are also prone to chemical hazards This is the reality that must drive a nail technician
to put the chemical materials into order. With this also, a nail salon must have a good ventilation
to prevent the strong smell or odor of the chemicals inside
Clean environment, facilities, tools and equipment are useless if the nail technicians themselves
are not well-organized and clean. Nail technicians must have good sanitation skills and must
know how to follow the prescribed sanitation and disinfection procedures as stated in the tools
and equipment manufacturer's guide

Proper Storage of Tools and Implements

Safety is not just limited to the proper use of implements and tools. Proper storage must be
practiced at all times to ensure that no harm shall happen to nail technicians and/or clients.
Implements or tools that have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected must be properly kept for
future use. It must be stored in a safe area with appropriate labels Previously-used tools must be
stored separately from new and unused tools. Never use airtight containers or zipper bags as your
storage kit as they promote bacterial growth
Abrasive files and buffers must be brushed manually in order for them to be thoroughly cleaned
before storage. They must also be disinfected to remove any visible debris Disinfection could be
done by immersing them into a 70-90% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol for at least 5 minutes
There must be a separate storage area for flammable and combustible chemicals. This way you
can prevent any potential fire hazards when these flammable chemicals made contact with
potential sources of ignition like open flame. Always make sure that all nail care chemicals are
stored in safe, clean and closed bottles or containers with corresponding and appropriate labels
Always store chemicals into their original containers and never put them into washed or empty
disposable bottles If they are put into different containers, make sure that proper labeling has
been done including the correct name of the chemical and the safety and risk phrases Do not mix
any chemical that is not intended for mixing Always consult the manufacturer if you are unsure
of the mixture you are about to do
Storage units like cabinets, drawers and containers should always be kept closed and dust proof
to ensure cleanliness Used towels must not be used again until properly washed and sanitized
It is also necessary for the multi-used implements to be stored in a clean, covered container
whenever they are not in use Single-used blades, however must be properly labeled before being
stored into a puncture-resistant, leak proof container with tight and fitted lid.
However, storage procedures may still vary depending on the manufacturer's recommendations
and guidelines Make it a habit to check the label of every tool or equipment to verify the proper
way of storing them.