CH 5 Cleaning and disinfecting

Chelating soaps

Soaps that contain chelating agents to prevent hard tap water from reducing the effectiveness of the cleanser.

Individual Client Packs for Nail Services

Some states do not allow technicians to save a client pack with items such as nail files and buffers. This is because clients can become infected by their own implements. Each item must be properly cleaned, disinfected, and dried before use, even if it is being used on the same client. If clients bring their own implements to the salon, they must be cleaned and disinfected before they can be used in order to prevent pathogens from contaminating other items in the salon. Never use bags or containers with an airtight seal to store tools or implements. These provide an environment that encourages the growth of bacteria or other pathogens if the item is not properly cleaned, disinfected, and dried thoroughly before being stored. Remember, state rules require that all tools and equipment must be cleaned and disinfected before each use—even if they're used on the same person!

All EPA-registered disinfectants, even those sprayed on large surfaces, will specify a contact time in their directions for use.

(Contact time is the amount of time the surface must remain wet with disinfectant in order for the disinfectant to be effective.)

Disinfect or Dispose?

-Multi-use- reusable and can be cleaned -single use-disposable items used only once -porous- constructed of absorbent material log book

‍‍1Gallon =

128 ounces

5 Gallons =

640 ounces

sodium hypochlorite

A common household bleach; a disinfectant for salon use.

Phenolic disinfectants

A form of formaldehyde, a tuberculocidal disinfectant.

clean

A mechanical process (scrubbing) using soap and water or detergent and water to remove all visible dirt, debris, and many disease-causing germs from tools, implements and equipment. Proper cleaning also removes invisible debris that interferes with disinfection.

Bleach and other disinfectants are not a magic potion!

All disinfectants, including bleach, are inactivated (made less effective) in the presence of oils, lotions, creams, hair, skin, nail dusts and filings, etc. If bleach is used to disinfect pedicure equipment, it is critical to use a detergent first to clean away residues left by pedicure products.

Proper Use of Disinfectants

All implements must be thoroughly cleaned of all visible matter or residue before soaking in disinfectant solution, because residue can interfere with the disinfectant and prevent proper disinfection. Properly cleaned implements and tools, free from all visible debris, must be completely immersed in disinfectant solution. Complete immersion means there is enough liquid in the container to cover all surfaces of the item being disinfected, including the handles, for at least 10 minutes or according to the manufacturer's directions

Quaternary ammonium compounds

Also known as quats, these disinfectants are very effective when used properly in the salon.

Improperly mixing disinfectants to be weaker or more concentrated than the manufacturer's instructions can dramatically reduce their effectiveness.

Always add the disinfectant concentrate to the water when mixing and always follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper dilution. Safety glasses and gloves are recommended to protect against accidental splashes and skin contact.

Safety Tips for Disinfectants

Always refer to the disinfectant's SDS and instruction label before use to ensure safe handling and correct use. Always wear gloves and safety glasses when mixing disinfectants Always avoid skin and eye contact. Always add a disinfectant to water (not water to a disinfectant) to prevent foaming, which can result in an incorrect mixing ratio. Water should be room temperature or cool, never hot. Always use tongs or gloves to remove implements from disinfectants and use a draining basket for rinsing multiple items at the same time. Always keep disinfectants out of reach of children. Always carefully measure and use disinfectant products according to label instructions. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing, using, and properly disposing of disinfectants. Always carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding when to replace the disinfectant solution in order to ensure the healthiest conditions for you and your client. Replace the disinfectant solution every day—and more often if the solution becomes soiled or contaminated.

Waterless Hand Sanitizers.

Antiseptics- Chemical germicides formulated for use on the skin that are registered and regulated by the FDA.

Work Surfaces.

Before beginning a service for each client, all work surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected. It is not necessary to disinfect tables and chairs unless the customers touch them with their skin, but they certainly need to be cleaned regularly Clean doorknobs, phone receivers, and other handles that are used on a regular basis daily to reduce transferring germs to your hands.

Towels and Linens.

Clean towels and linens must be used for each client. After a towel or linen has been used on a client, it must not be used again until it has been properly laundered. Store soiled linens and towels separately from clean linens and towels in covered or closed containers.

exposure incident

Contact with nonintact (broken) skin, blood, body fluid, or other potentially infectious materials that results from an employee performing his or her professional duties.

chelating detergents

Detergents that contain chelating agents to prevent hard tap water from reducing the effectiveness of the cleanser.

The second step of infection control

Disinfecting

If a porous item contacts broken skin, blood, body fluid, or any unhealthy condition, it must be discarded immediately

Do not try to disinfect it. If you are not sure whether an item can be safely cleaned, disinfected, and used again, throw it out. Remember: When in doubt, throw it out!

Disinfectants

EPA-registered products used on nonporous surfaces that destroy organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi when used according to the disinfectant label instructions. If you mix a disinfectant in a container that is not labeled by the manufacturer, it must be properly labeled with the contents and the date mixed.

Standard Precautions

Guidelines published by OSHA that require the employer and the employee to assume that all human blood and body fluids are infectious for bloodborne pathogens.

Bleach

Household bleach, 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite (SOH-dee-um hy-puh-KLOR-ite), is an effective disinfectant for all uses in the salon.

Dispensary.

The dispensary must be kept clean and orderly, with the contents of all containers clearly marked. Always store products according to the manufacturer's instructions, away from heat, and out of direct sunlight. Federal law requires that the salon keep SDSs for all products used in the salon.

efficacy

The effectiveness with which a disinfecting solution kills specific organisms when used according to the label instructions.

Sterilization

The process that completely destroys all microbial life, including spores.

Additives, Powders, and Tablets.

There is no additive, powder, or tablet that eliminates the need for you to clean and disinfect

Not all household bleaches are as effective as EPA-registered disinfectants.

To be effective, the bleach must contain at least 5 percent sodium hypochlorite and be diluted properly to a 10 percent solution consisting of nine parts water to one part bleach. "Low odor" or "scented" bleaches are often diluted to contain less than 5 percent sodium hypochlorite and therefore are not considered effective as disinfectants.

Tools and Implements.

Tools and implements must be cleaned and disinfected after each time they are used and before they may be used on another client

Disinfectants for Large Surfaces

Typically, instructions may be to spray the surface and wipe the surface clean, spray again and allow the surface to remain wet for the time specified by the product's label, and wipe dry.

Disinfectant Tips

Use only on pre-cleaned, hard, nonporous surfaces—not disposable single use abrasive files or buffers. May be used on implements such as abrasive files made of metal, glass and ceramic, or indicated in the manufacturer's directions that the file is designed for multiple uses. Read the manufacturer's directions and follow them carefully. Always wear gloves and safety glasses when handling disinfectant solutions. Always dilute products according to the instructions on the label. A contact time of 10 minutes is required unless the product label specifies differently. To disinfect large surfaces such as tabletops, carefully apply disinfectant onto the pre-cleaned surface and allow it to remain wet for 10 minutes (unless the product label specifies differently). The entire implement, including the handles, must be completely immersed in the solution. Change the disinfectant according to the instructions on the label. If the disinfectant is not changed as instructed, it will no longer be effective and may begin to promote the growth of pathogens. Proper disinfection of a whirlpool, pipe-less or air-jet pedicure spa requires that the disinfecting solution circulate for 10 minutes (unless the product label specifies otherwise).

Some common methods of cleaning in a salon include:

Washing with soap and water and scrubbing with a clean and properly disinfected brush. Using an ultrasonic unit. Using a cleaning solvent (i.e., on metal bits for electric files).

Hand Washing.

Washing your hands is one of the most important actions you can take to prevent the spread of pathogens from one person to another. Hand washing removes pathogens from the folds and grooves of the skin and from under the free edge of the nail plate by lifting and rinsing them from the surface.

Disinfectants Not Appropriate for Salon Use

Years ago, paraformaldehyde (incorrectly called formalin tablets) was used as a fumigant (a gaseous substance capable of destroying pathogenic bacteria). These tablets are not effective and should never be relied upon to disinfectant implements or other equipment. Glutaraldehyde is another example of a disinfectant that is not safe for salon use. The only effective methods of controlling pathogens in the salon is by complete immersion in an EPA-registered disinfectant, or sterilization in an autoclave.

Proper infection control requires two steps:

cleaning and then disinfecting with an appropriate EPA-registered disinfectant.

Ultraviolet (UV) sanitizers

do not sanitize, nor do they clean or disinfect.

autoclave

incorporates heat and pressure. For sterilization to be effective, items must be small enough to fit into the autoclave chamber, pre-cleaned beforehand

Sterilization is not useful for many items in the salon setting

pedicure basins, countertops, door knobs or anything else that won't fit inside the relatively small autoclave

pesticides=

poison

Chelating soaps or chelating detergents

specially designed to break down stubborn films and are very important for removing the residue of pedicure products, such as scrubs, salts, and masks. The chelating agents in these detergents work in all types of water, are low sudsing, and are specially formulated to work in areas with hard tap water, which reduces the effectiveness of cleaners and disinfectants. Hard water is more likely to create difficult-to-remove residues on surfaces and inside pipes. Check with your local distributor for pedicure cleaners that are effective in hard water. This will be stated on the label.

Sterilization

the process that completely destroys all microbial life, including spores

Examples of disposable items

wooden sticks, cotton balls, sponges, gauze, tissues, paper towels, pumice stones and some nail files and buffers. Single-use, or disposable, items must be thrown out after use.

OSHA sets safety standards and precautions that protect employees when they are potentially exposed to bloodborne pathogens

Nail technicians may: Potentially be exposed to bloodborne pathogens when exposed to blood or body fluid; Potentially be exposed to airborne pathogens through the illness of the client or coworker, or pathogens that may potentially be released if filing infected nails; Potentially expose their eyes to debris during filing or trimming of the nails. For these reasons, nail technicians must wear gloves when working with clients, dust masks when filing (electronic or hand filing), and protective eyewear when filing (electronic or hand filing).

Never

Never pre-mix large amounts of disinfectants; mixing them freshly on a daily basis is best. Never guess or estimate the amount of disinfectant to mix. Always carefully measure before mixing. Never let quats, phenols, bleach, or any other disinfectant come into contact with your skin. If you do get disinfectants on your skin, immediately wash your hands with liquid soap and warm water. Then rinse the area and dry thoroughly. Never place any disinfectant or other product in an unmarked container

Keep a Logbook

Salons should always follow the manufacturer's recommended schedule for cleaning and disinfecting tools and implements, disinfecting foot spas and basins, scheduling regular service visits for equipment, and replacing parts when needed. Although your state may not require that you keep a logbook of all equipment usage, cleaning, disinfecting, testing, and maintenance, it may be advisable to keep one. Showing your logbook to clients provides them with peace of mind and confidence in your ability to protect them from infection and disease.