Sterilisation is the destruction of all living organisms. Always sterilise your tools between clients.

All your tools must be washed in warm soapy water, then rinsed and then dried thoroughly before sterilising them. This removes any debris and prevents contamination of the sterilising method.

Different methods of sterilising your tools are;

• Autoclave

High pressure steaming at a minimum of 121 degrees celsius for 15 minutes. The autoclave method is suitable for stainless steel and glass tools.

• Ultraviolet

Used mainly to store already sterilised equipment. The UV method is only effective on the surfaces it touches, so the tools will need to be turned over.

• Glass Bead

Glass beads are heated to 190 degrees celsius to 300 degrees celsius. They are kept at this temperature for 30 - 60 minutes before use. Suitable only for very small items such as tweezers and cuticle pushers.

• Chemical Sterilisers

The most common chemical steriliser is Barbicide. The tools are totally immersed in a solution of Barbicide or another chemical and water. Always follow the instructions to the letter. The chemicals are extremely strong and can cause harm to the skin, so be careful when handling them. Also always dry the tools well when removed from the solution.

Disinfection

Disinfection reduces the number of organisms. Use a disinfection
solution to wipe down the couch, chair, trolley and sink when you have
finished your treatments for the day.

Waste Disposal

Waste should never be exposed or handled. Always make sure that the waste from your treatments is put into a lined metal bin then tied up and disposed of in a refuse sack with other treatment waste.
Small amounts of monomer should be poured into a bundle of absorbent material and thrown away in a bin liner into a metal bin with a lid.
Large amounts of monomer, should be placed in a large bowl and left to evaporate in the open air. This also applies to small and large amounts of nail polish remover, tip remover and all chemical monomers.
Consumables should be put into a disposable bin liner and placed in a metal bin with a lid. At the end of the working day, tie the bag up and put into a normal dustbin.
Never burn waste in the open air.

Suggested methods of hygiene and sterilisation for specific tools

• Yourself

Hand washing, gloves for pedicure, a clean uniform, short nails, hand sanitiser at the start of every treatment, long hair tied back, no jewellery.

• Client

Remove jewellery, hand sanitising, foot soaking, always check their hands and feet for contra-indications.

• Trolley

Always disinfect with surgcal spirit at the end of the working day. Always cover with couch roll.

• Nail File

Re-usable on clean hands but not indefinitely. Disposable when finished with.

• Orange Stick

Disposable or re-usable when covered with cotton wool, but not indefinitely.

• Hoof Stick

If plastic, chemical sterilisation. If wooden, see 'Orange stick'.

• Cuticle Knife

Any sterilisation method is fine.

• Cuticle Nippers

Any sterilisation method is fine.

• Nail Brush

Chemical sterilising, e.g. Barbicide.

• Pedicure Callous File

Chemical sterilisation.

• Manicure Bowl

Chemical and Ultraviolet methods. Disinfect between clients with surgical spirit.

• Foot Bath

Disinfect between clients with surgical spirit.

• Scissors

Autoclave, Ultraviolet, chemical and glass bead methods.

• Toe Separators

Disposable, or wipe with surgical spirit between clients.

• Nail Clippers

All methods of sterilisation. Make sure glass bead method is large enough for larger clippers.