Natural Products Guide for Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Tools

Maintaining rigorous hygiene for grooming tools is essential to ensure the well-being of animals and sanitary safety in your salon. However, it is crucial to differentiate between cleaning and disinfecting, two indispensable but distinct steps.

Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting

• Cleaning: This involves removing visible dirt such as hair, organic residues, and dust from your tools. This step prepares the surfaces for disinfection but is not sufficient to eliminate microorganisms like bacteria or viruses.

• Disinfection: This step aims to destroy or reduce microorganisms on your tools after cleaning. It is essential to prevent the spread of infections or diseases among animals.

To ensure optimal hygiene, these two steps must be performed in this order. You can also combine them using products that function as both cleaners and disinfectants.

Step 1: Cleaning Your Tools

Cleaning is the first step to ensure your tools are clean and functional.

• Prepare the tools: Remove visible hair and residues using a soft brush or air blower.

• Natural cleaning methods:

  • Black soap: Dilute a small amount of black soap in warm water. Clean the tools with a sponge or cloth soaked in this solution.

  • Baking soda: Mix baking soda with a little water to create a paste. Apply it to metal surfaces with a soft toothbrush to remove embedded dirt.

• Rinse: Thoroughly rinse your tools with clear water to remove all product residues.

• Drying: Immediately dry the tools with a clean, soft cloth to prevent residual moisture. Use a warm air dryer to ensure complete drying, especially in hard-to-reach areas like scissor joints or clipper blades.

Caution: At this stage, your tools are clean but not yet disinfected. A disinfection step is necessary to guarantee their hygiene.

Step 2: Disinfecting Your Tools

After cleaning, disinfecting your tools is essential to eliminate microorganisms.

• Choosing the disinfectant:

  • Isopropyl alcohol (70%): Ideal for metal tools such as clipper blades and scissors. Its quick drying prevents rust.

  • Essential oils: Some, like lavender or tea tree, have antiseptic properties. Add a few drops to vinegar and then to water to enhance your disinfecting solution. Be sure to rinse thoroughly afterward to prevent irritation on animals.

  • White vinegar: Used as a complement for non-metal tools like brushes or combs.

• Application:

  • Immerse the tools in the disinfectant solution or wipe them carefully with a clean cloth soaked in the product.

  • Allow the product to act according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually a few minutes).

• Drying after disinfection:

  • Wipe the tools again with a clean, soft cloth.

  • Use a warm air dryer to remove any remaining moisture, focusing on metal areas to prevent rust.

• Protection: Apply a thin layer of special oil for blades or scissors to prevent corrosion and extend the lifespan of your tools.

Recommended Natural Products

• Black soap: Gentle and effective cleaner, ideal for degreasing.

• Baking soda: Cleansing and deodorizing action, perfect for removing residues.

• White vinegar: A classic for disinfecting non-metal tools.

• Essential oils: Lavender or tea tree for their natural antiseptic properties.

Additional Precautions

• Systematic cleaning: Clean and disinfect your tools after every animal to prevent cross-contamination.

• Proper storage: Store your tools in a dry place, away from moisture, to prolong their lifespan.

• Regular maintenance: Check the condition of your tools, such as sharpening scissors or cleaning clipper blades, to ensure their efficiency.

By following these rigorous cleaning and disinfection steps, your tools will remain spotless and functional while ensuring the safety of the animals you care for. Adopting natural products that are respectful of the environment and animals is an excellent way to contribute to healthier and more responsible grooming.