- All pedicure basins must be cleaned and disinfected with an intermediate level disinfectant (ILD) after every client. Labels on ILDs will have the tuberculocidal (TB) claim, except for chlorine bleach.
- A bleach solution can also be used as an ILD. The solution can be made by mixing 10 ml of bleach with 495 ml of water or two teaspoons of bleach with two cups of water. It must be made fresh daily. Let it sit or soak for 10 minutes before rinsing.
- Alcohol cannot be used as an ILD for footbaths.
- Clients should avoid waxing or shaving legs 24 hours before having a pedicure.
A printable resource document for footbaths is available in English, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Vietnamese, Korean, and French.
How to Clean and Disinfect a Pipeless Foot Bath or Pedicure Basin
How to Clean and Disinfect a Pedicure Basin with Internal Pipes/ Recirculation Systems
Follow manufacturer’s instructions. If manufacturer’s instructions are not available, between clients:
- Clean the basin with soap and water. Use a scrub brush.*
- Fill with detergent and warm water above the fill line and turn on recirculation system. Run for five minutes.
- Drain and rinse with clean water.
- Disinfect the basin with an ILD that has a TB claim or bleach and water solution. Circulate the disinfectant through the pipes for the duration of the contact time and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Drain the disinfectant.
- Fill the basin with warm water above the jets and run the system for a few minutes to rinse out disinfectant, if required by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Drain the basin and dry any pooling liquid.
- The filter/screen must be removed at the end of each day with a screwdriver and then the basin is cleaned and disinfected one last time.
At the end of each day, the filter/screen must be removed, cleaned and disinfected.
* At the end of each day clean, soak the scrub brush in a disinfectant and dry.
