Caring for instruments in a beauty salon is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also of the safety of each client. If you don’t pay enough attention to proper cleaning and sterilisation, dust, skin residues, and germs can remain on surfaces that look clean. That is why manicure tools require special treatment: regular cleaning, proper storage, and careful handling. In this article, we’ll look at the key rules of care, common mistakes, and ways to keep your professional equipment in perfect condition.
Proper care of your nail tools
Regularly maintaining your tools helps to keep them sharp, look sharp, and safe for your clients. Even professional manicure tools made of the strongest steel can lose their properties due to improper treatment. Moving parts, such as hinged joints, are usually the first to suffer, and then corrosion spreads to smooth working surfaces. To avoid these problems, it is important to follow a clear maintenance sequence. That is why we suggest that you familiarise yourself with the main stages of proper tool maintenance:
- Perform a three-stage treatment after each use – disinfection, pre-sterilisation cleaning, sterilisation, without changing the sequence.
- Choose disinfectant solutions that contain anti-corrosion components and strictly follow the instructions for concentration and exposure time.
- Place the instruments in the steriliser when they are open and do not remove them until they have cooled completely.
In addition, to maintain smooth operation of the hinge mechanisms, it is necessary to regularly lubricate the cutting tools with special oils after cleaning and drying. Compliance with these rules can significantly extend the service life even during active use. It is also worth remembering that it is dangerous to try to sharpen the tool yourself without the appropriate equipment, as this can lead to damage. To sharpen a manicure tool without risk, it is better to entrust this procedure to specialists who work with microscopic precision.
Instrument sterilization – why is it important?
Sterilisation is the most important stage of processing after disinfection and cleaning. It provides the complete destruction of pathogenic microorganisms on the surface of the instruments and ensures the safety of for each client. Proper sterilisation of instruments also significantly extends the service life of the products, preventing the appearance of rust and deformations that can occur due to improper processing methods. The process of properly sterilising manicure instruments involves several important steps:
- Treatment of the nail technician’s hands with an antiseptic before starting work.
- Disinfection of open instruments in a properly prepared disinfectant with precise proportions and exposure times.
- Pre-sterilisation cleaning – cleaning instruments from organic contaminants, disinfectants and other agents and drying them to prepare them for the next stage of sterilisation.
- Sterilisation of dry instruments in kraft bags or open on a tray in compliance with the rules for filling the steriliser (do not block the ventilation holes by more than 70% and do not stack instruments on top of each other).
High-quality and proper sterilisation not only kills all dangerous bacteria and viruses, but also helps to keep the manicure tools in perfect condition. To ensure that sterilisation of instruments is as effective and safe as possible, you should order professional equipment. You can do this in our online store MicroSTOP, where you can find reliable dry heat cabinets that meet all the requirements of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
Kraft packages with indicators
In order to ensure that the sterilisation process is completed, it is important not only to process the instruments correctly, but also to ensure that they remain sterile until they are used. Kraft bags with indicators help to keep professional manicure tools sterile for a long time and allow you to visually check the quality of sterilisation. Thanks to the colour change of the indicator after treatment, the nail technician is always sure that his or her instruments are safe. You can also purchase reliable kraft sterilisation bags in the MicroSTOP online store. They will become an essential element for organising a professional workflow in a beauty salon.
How to store your manicure tools correctly
Proper storage of instruments is no less important than their cleaning and sterilisation. The conditions in which the manicure tools are stored affect their sterility, performance, and durability. Instruments should be stored in a dry, clean place, without contact with moisture or dust. Ideally, they should be stored in a UV cabinet or in kraft bags with indicators after a complete sterilisation cycle. To ensure optimal storage, follow these simple rules:
- Always store the tools in dry conditions at a stable temperature.
- Use special UV cabinets or kraft bags to isolate them from dust and contaminants.
- After sterilisation, leave the instruments in the kraft bags until they are ready to use.
- Avoid contact of sterile instruments with non-sterile surfaces or hands.
- Check storage areas regularly for moisture or condensation.
Ignoring basic storage requirements can significantly reduce the service life of even the highest quality tools. A professional, carefully crafted manicure tools can quickly lose its properties if stored unprotected.
Professional vs home care: what’s the difference?
In beauty salons, the care of instruments is subject to strict hygiene standards, as nail technicians work with a large number of clients. Professional care involves a full cycle of treatment: disinfection, cleaning, sterilisation in special equipment, such as a dry heat steriliser, and storage in sterile conditions. Each stage must be carried out strictly according to the regulations, because the safety of clients is a top priority. For a salon practice, it is important to know not only how to disinfect manicure tools and sterilise it, but also how to properly organise the workplace to avoid the risk of infection.
At home, the care of instruments is usually less controlled, but this does not diminish its importance. If you are doing a manicure for yourself or your immediate family, it is still important to follow the basic rules: clean the instruments after use, disinfect them with special products and sterilise them. Even the basic instructions from the manufacturer of disinfectant solutions will help you learn how to disinfect instruments at home. Do not forget that negligence of hygiene at home can lead to undesirable consequences.
How to avoid rust and corrosion
Even carefully treated tools can suffer from moisture and oxidation over time. The appearance of rust is not a reason to panic, but a signal to pay more attention to care. This is especially true for salons, where professional manicure tools go through numerous washing, disinfection, and sterilisation cycles every day. The main rule is to respond to the first signs of a problem in time. To avoid rust and minimise the risk of damage to your instruments, you should:
- Always dry the instruments thoroughly after cleaning and before sterilisation;
- Regularly inspect the hinge joints and lubricate them if necessary;
- do not exceed the sterilisation or exposure time in the disinfectant;
- use only recommended cleaning and sterilisation products;
- If signs of corrosion appear, have the tool rinsed and serviced by a professional workshop.
If rust does appear, do not try to solve the problem on your own – it is better to contact a specialist who can properly clean and assess the condition of the product. There is also a special anti-limescale product that can clean tools and drying heaters efficiently. Remember that regular maintenance extends the life of your nail tools and equipment.
Take care of your nail tools properly
Regular cleaning, proper sterilisation, careful storage, and timely sharpening form a complete care system, without which manicure tools quickly lose their properties and become potentially dangerous. Compliance with hygiene standards is not just a formality, but a nail technician’s daily responsibility for the health of their clients. To ensure safe and effective treatment, choose professional equipment from trusted manufacturers. You can buy modern sterilisers for instruments, as well as kraft bags and related products in the MicroSTOP online store – your reliable partner in the world of hygiene and sterilisation.
