Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety Practices
Cleaning, disinfection, sterilization
Cleaning with soap and water removes visible debris and must come first; a disinfectant cannot penetrate soil. Disinfection uses an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant with a tuberculocidal claim, diluted and timed exactly as the label states (often 10 minutes). Sterilization destroys all microbial life including spores and is reserved for items contaminated with blood.
What can and cannot be reused
Porous items - emery boards, buffer blocks, wooden pushers, cotton, toe separators - cannot be disinfected and are discarded after one client. Metal implements are cleaned, fully immersed in disinfectant, dried, and stored in a covered container.
Common traps: confusing "sanitize" with "disinfect"; disinfecting before cleaning; thinking a UV cabinet replaces a chemical disinfectant; topping off or watering down a disinfectant; and treating an implement as clean because it looks clean.
Blood and injury protocol
Stop the service, put on gloves, cleanse the wound, apply pressure, then antiseptic and a bandage. Clean and disinfect every tool and surface that may have been contaminated using an EPA-registered disinfectant labeled effective against HIV and HBV, and double-bag disposable items.
Everyday safety
Wash hands before and after every client, wear gloves for service and cleanup, keep chemicals labeled and capped, keep Safety Data Sheets on file, ventilate, never eat or drink at the station, and check cords for damage.
Rule of thumb: Clean → Disinfect → Store covered. If a tool is porous, it is one client only.