For professional nail technicians, hygiene is everything. Not only does it protect your clients from infection, but it also demonstrates your professionalism and commitment to maintaining the highest salon standards. Every client deserves to sit down at a spotless, safe workstation, and effective sanitisation between appointments is how you achieve that.
At MUSE Educate, we believe that understanding the why and how of tool sanitisation is just as important as mastering your nail prep techniques. Here’s your step-by-step guide to effectively sanitising your tools and workstation in between clients.
First off, let's start with where to get supplies: YOU CAN BUY THE DEFEND BY MUSE HYGIENE RANGE HERE.
Step 1: Remove Dust and Debris Immediately
Before you disinfect, always remove visible dirt. Using a nylon scrubbing brush with warm water and detergent is one of the most effective ways to lift away nail dust, product residue, and skin particles.
This step is critical because disinfectants cannot work properly on dirty tools. According to the CDC, organic debris can reduce disinfectant effectiveness by up to 80%.
Tip for nail techs: Always dry tools thoroughly with a clean microfibre cloth before moving on to the next stage.
Step 2: Disinfect Properly Between Clients
Once tools are visibly clean, the next step is disinfection. Professional disinfectants should always be:
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Anti-bacterial – to eliminate harmful bacteria
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Anti-fungal – to protect against fungal infections
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Anti-viral – to reduce viral spread in salon settings
Our MUSE Disinfectant Spray is just that. Spray or wipe your tools until they are fully wetted, ensuring contact time (usually around 2 minutes) before drying. This ensures tools meet the industry hygiene standards required by insurance providers such as ABT.
Step 3: Sanitise EFile Bits and Small Tools
For smaller implements, such as EFile bits, soaking in a dedicated cleaning solution is often the quickest and most effective method. After soaking, dry with a lint-free cloth, then spray or wipe with disinfectant for a second layer of protection.
Did you know? The British Beauty Council notes that EFile bits are one of the most common tools to harbour bacteria if not properly sanitised between clients.
Step 4: Dry and Store Correctly
Moisture can cause rust and harbour bacteria, so always finish by drying thoroughly. Store tools in a clean, organised container until they are next needed. A tidy workstation not only reduces cross-contamination risk but also projects professionalism to your clients.
Why Sanitisation Between Clients Matters
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Client Safety – prevents cross-contamination and infection.
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Professional Standards – builds client trust and confidence.
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Tool Longevity – clean, dry tools last longer and perform better.
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Insurance Compliance – insurers and accrediting bodies expect high levels of hygiene practice.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology found that contaminated tools can spread common pathogens in as little as 30 seconds of contact. This is why in-salon hygiene is non-negotiable.
Going Forward
As a nail technician, your reputation is built not just on how nails look when a client leaves, but on the safety and professionalism you uphold in your workspace. Effective sanitisation between clients isn’t just good practice - it’s part of being an industry professional.
At MUSE Educate, we’re here to provide nail techs with not only the tools and courses to grow their skills, but also the knowledge to maintain the highest hygiene standards every single day.