While channel-surfing recently, I caught an undercover report on hotel cleaning standards. Maybe you’ve seen this one or one like it: they visually inspect a room by sweeping it with a black light source to detect microbiological germs that include bacteria, coliforms – which could indicate fecal contamination – and antibiotic-resistant superbugs. There was also a hidden camera to document housekeeping practices (yikes). It will sure make you want to bring your own glassware, towels and linen for your next hotel stay!
Now, let’s talk about your salon cleaning practices. Think of the impression it makes on not only current, but prospective customers, if they see fingerprints on the bottom acrylic shield or even toe prints on the canopy! Tanning lotions on the hands can leave greasy marks on surfaces like door knobs, fan knobs, mirrors and more. The same goes for the sunbed pillows – not only can they get dirty or greasy, but if the surface of the pillow is cracked or split, it can harbor germs. If you’ve been in the tanning industry for any length of time, you are certainly aware of the importance of emptying/cleaning wastebaskets in the tanning rooms after every session.
So, let’s go with a review of proper (and sometimes required) salon hygiene:
Before and after each tanning session, the equipment and surfaces in the room must be thoroughly cleaned. An EPA registered disinfectant is recommended. Make sure you read the disinfectant label thoroughly and follow directions for mixing and use.
The entire surface of the acrylic shield must be sprayed completely wet with a properly mixed solution, and the solution must remain on the surface for at least the minimum time stated in the directions for use. One of the Sun is Life certification test questions covers sanitizing solutions, and believe it or not, when asked how to best sanitize the sunbed, some of the salon operators who took one of my recent classes answered “pour the cleaner directly on the acrylic shield and wipe clean.” Clearly, you shouldn’t “pour the cleaner” on the surface. Splashing fluids around on a surface that covers electrical components can be hazardous! Please “spray” the cleaner on the surface!
After each session, every surface in the room that a tanner may come into contact with should be sanitized using products that are made for this purpose. This includes not only the tanning bed bench and canopy acrylics, but all handles, pillows, chairs, tables, door knobs, and floors inside the tanning room.
The concentrated disinfectants must be carefully mixed with amounts of water and solution measured exactly to create the proper germ-killing strength. These cleaners are formulated especially for tanning equipment. Sanitizing solutions must be accurately prepared and tested regularly to ensure proper concentration. And of course, make sure they’re stored in properly labeled containers, so there’s no mistake about what they are. You wouldn’t believe what some have used to clean the acrylics (or maybe, you would). Bleach, Windex, plain water, abrasive cleaners and more have been used – all incorrectly.
For every tanning session, provide your guests with a clean, fresh towel. Of course, YOU or YOUR STAFF needs to clean the bed after use; but if the customer asks if they can also clean the bed, you might consider it. Remove all dirty towels from the room and do not use the same towel to clean multiple sunbeds.
Lastly, properly disinfect reusable protective eyewear. This means cleaning it before disinfection to remove any makeup residue, thoroughly wetting the goggles with a properly mixed disinfectant solution that is left on for the time recommended in the product directions for use, removing all disinfectant residues by thoroughly rinsing with uncontaminated tap water to prevent a chemical exposure to the skin or eyes, and storing sanitized eyewear in a manner that prevents contamination – but not in an airtight container. Finally, wipe the eyewear completely dry to remove any risk of disinfectant residue coming into contact with the eye.
Remember, your salon guests expect hygienically clean rooms to tan in – don’t let them down. Give them the “Lexus” ride by meeting and exceeding their expectations! For more information on salon hygiene, visit sunislife.com and take the online interactive training module called, “A Little Dirty Talk.”
