2013

How Do I Clean and Disinfect My Clippers, Pushers, Drill Bits, Foot Files, Metal or Glass Nail Files and Other Metal Re-Usable Instruments?

  • First, clean the item with soap and water.
  • Rinse off all the soap and let it air dry, or pat it dry with a clean single-use towel.
  • Soak the whole item in a disinfectant. 70% isopropyl alcohol can be used for 10 minutes.
  • For foot files, if the varnish starts to peel off, the item must be thrown in the garbage.

Can I Clean and Disinfect My Nail Files?

  • Cardboard or plastic core nail files can only be used on one client.
  • Metal or glass nail files can be cleaned and disinfected.

Can I Clean and Disinfect My Buffer Blocks, Toe Separators, Pumice Stones and Other Items like That?

  • No. These items cannot be used on more than one client.

Can I Throw My Razors into the Garbage?

  • No. Razors must be discarded into an approved sharps container.
  • Sharps containers cannot be discarded with the regular garbage.

Should I Examine My Client’s Nails for Discolouration or Infection?

  • Yes. If you see a yellow-green colour on the nail or the skin around the nail looks red or swollen, do not provide service or treat the nail with anything.
  • Tell the client to visit their healthcare provider.

Do UV Sterilizers Disinfect or Sterilize My Equipment?

  • No. UV light sterilizers are not approved for cleaning, disinfection or sterilization.
  • These units can only be used to store instruments that have already been cleaned and disinfected.

What Should I Do If I Accidentally Cut a Client?

  • Immediately clean your hands and put on disposable gloves. Then provide first aid.
  • If there is blood on anything, clean and then disinfect with a high-level disinfectant. To make your own high-level disinfectant, mix 10 ml of bleach with 495 ml water OR mix 2 teaspoons of bleach with 2 cups water. This solution must be made fresh every day.
  • Tell the client to immediately seek medical advice.
  • Record what happened. Write down the client’s name, telephone number, and address. Keep this accidental exposure record on-site for at least one year and on file for at least five years.
  • Clean your hands after you take off your gloves.

How Do I Clean and Disinfect My Clippers, Pushers, Drill Bits, Foot Files, Metal or Glass Nail Files and Other Metal Re-Usable Instruments?

  • First, clean the item with soap and water.
  • Rinse off all the soap and let it air dry, or pat it dry with a clean single-use towel.
  • Soak the whole item in a disinfectant. 70% isopropyl alcohol can be used for 10 minutes.
  • For foot files, if the varnish starts to peel off, the item must be thrown in the garbage.

Can I Clean and Disinfect My Nail Files?

  • Cardboard or plastic core nail files can only be used on one client.
  • Metal or glass nail files can be cleaned and disinfected.

Can I Clean and Disinfect My Buffer Blocks, Toe Separators, Pumice Stones and Other Items like That?

  • No. These items cannot be used on more than one client.

Can I Throw My Razors into the Garbage?

  • No. Razors must be discarded into an approved sharps container.
  • Sharps containers cannot be discarded with the regular garbage.

Should I Examine My Client’s Nails for Discolouration or Infection?

  • Yes. If you see a yellow-green colour on the nail or the skin around the nail looks red or swollen, do not provide service or treat the nail with anything.
  • Tell the client to visit their healthcare provider.

Do UV Sterilizers Disinfect or Sterilize My Equipment?

  • No. UV light sterilizers are not approved for cleaning, disinfection or sterilization.
  • These units can only be used to store instruments that have already been cleaned and disinfected.

What Should I Do If I Accidentally Cut a Client?

  • Immediately clean your hands and put on disposable gloves. Then provide first aid.
  • If there is blood on anything, clean and then disinfect with a high-level disinfectant. To make your own high-level disinfectant, mix 10 ml of bleach with 495 ml water OR mix 2 teaspoons of bleach with 2 cups water. This solution must be made fresh every day.
  • Tell the client to immediately seek medical advice.
  • Record what happened. Write down the client’s name, telephone number, and address. Keep this accidental exposure record on-site for at least one year and on file for at least five years.
  • Clean your hands after you take off your gloves.

Related Information

Print Versions Available Upon Request in the Following Languages

For a copy of this document in the following languages, please email us at: BodySafe@toronto.ca

  • 中文 / Simplified Chinese
  • 中文 / Traditional Chinese
  • 한국어 / Korean
  • Tiếng Việt / Vietnamese