cleaning foot spa's

[florence2004]

Hi geeks
just wanted to check how you are cleaning and disenfecting your foot spa's

I always scrub mine out with hot soapy water and at the weekend I put some barbicide in and let it sit for a while but I just read an article about letting it run with the disenfectant in it. Is it ok to do this with barbicide?

 

[Scratchers]

i do the same as you or i use surgical spirit to wipe it out i don't think it will do any harm if you wanted to run it xx

 

[Noodle]

Like you, I scrub mine with hot soapy water and then follow that up by disinfecting with surgical spirit.

 

[Zo Zo]

I don't use an electrical one anymore, but when I did, I used to use Milton (sterilising solution for baby stuff.) I would wash the foot spa out, then half fill it with sterilising solution, run it for a few mins so the solution went through the internal pipes, then top it up to the brim with solution and stand it for 20 mins or so. What a palaver. Now I use a bowl with disposable liners... much easier!:lol:

I'm not sure I understand the logic behind the weekend barbicide treatment - forgive me for saying this - but what is the point of doing something weekly? Your first client on a Monday morning might leave nasty germs in it

 

[florence2004]

I do clean it every time I use it and had previously squirted a disenfectant around and wiped it out but this time I left the barbicide in to soak (I don't have many clients yet so only use it every couple of months!)

The barbicide seemd to leave a blue residue behind so I like the idea of using milton - might have a go at that!

 

[poppy2]

I use Milton to clean mine. Milton is great for all sorts of things
I want to be sure my foot bath is as clean and hygienic as possible and milton is the best best i think and also cheapest

 

[1999judy]

http://www.salongeek.com/health-safety-unaturale/37133-cleaning-disinfecting-pedicure-equipment.html
hth

 

[Cathie!]

Disposable liners all the way for me, saves on the elbow grease!

 

[florence2004]

But how do you keep the water warm?

 

[Cathie!]

The footbath that the liner sits in has a thermostat and also vibration so this keeps the water warm, the thermostat that is lol!

 

[adelekeegan1]

But how do you keep the water warm?

The Beverley Hills Footsie has disposable liners and a heater to keep the water warm:lol:

 

[florence2004]

ohhh, I should look for one of those!

 

[marketing-geek]

If your footspa doesn't have pipes to circulate the water, a good wash out and then use of a good quality disinfectant suitable for plastic surfaces would be fine. Don't use anything with acohol (ethanol, propanol) as it will likely weaken the plastic over time, making it dull and brittle. Make sure you follow manufacturer's instructions for use of the disinfectant.

If your spa has water circulation, this is where you have to be REALLY careful. Biofilm builds up in the pipes and it is this that causes the biggest health risk. You have to make sure the pipes are flushed through properly with a suitable disinfectant and that water isn't left to sit in the pipes for any long period of time (ie more than a day). If necessary, give the footspa a good wash through and disinfection before you use it following the weekend or any day off.

 

[Zo Zo]

But how do you keep the water warm?

I have the Beauty Express bowl which is non electric but I can honestly say I don't have a problem with the water getting cold. After the initial soak of about 5 mins, then rasp and exfoliator, I clip the nails and then that is the end of the water, I take it away. I haven't really looked at the clock but I would say their feet are in the water for about 15 mins max. I also start with it quite hot, I think it's more effective that way, as long as the client isn't uncomfortable.

I did experiment with a mask the other day, on a friend (I don't normally use masks as my pedicure's are quite reasonably priced and because I do lots of them I don't want to increase the price) Anyway, I took the water away after clipping etc. put the mask on, wrapped the feet then after 5-10 mins of mask I got fresh water This was fine although obviously added time and expense...

I'm actually really happy with the bowl I use, I have to say, after the palaver I used to go through it feels like freedom. The only thing I don't like is the fact that I throw the liners away after a single use, which is not good for landfill. But I have to weigh that up against chemicals going done the plughole, which is the alternative:green:

One other thing I like about the non electric bowl... it doesn't make that dreadful noise!!!

 

[bombini]

http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/41662-how-do-you-clean-your-foot-spa.html

You might find some useful info in the above thread. hths :green:

 

[florence2004]

Thanks guys
any idea where I can get the BH footsie bath from over here?