In this article, you’ll learn about:
- How to minimize risk for viral infections, airborne pathogens, & bloodborne diseases by maintaining hygiene and sanitation standards in your salon
- Recommended sanitation products
- The checklists for salon and spa hygiene & sanitation (Includes PDF Download)
- Safe, effective sanitation tips
- How to communicate your shop sanitation practices with clients –including email & text templates
- Additional resources for running a safe, hygienic, sanitary business
Disclaimer: The content on this blog or contributed/associated with Vagaro, including, but not limited to, the text, graphics, images, links, and other material are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment related to or in defense to any virus or infectious diseases. The above does not constitute medical or professional advice. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.
Many people come in and out your business every day. No wonder your clients are worried. You’re probably worried, too. In fact, pretty much everyone’s on edge about getting exposed to the Coronavirus (COVID-19.) For service professions in close personal contact with clients, the fear of contagion may also bring a dip in revenue, as worried customers contemplate skipping appointments. To keep everyone safe and to keep your business running, it’s crucial to identify and address the gaps between your routine sanitation and exceptional situation sanitation practices.
Sanitation Minimizes Risk
Higher cleanliness standards help clients trust your business. For hands-on service businesses, hygiene and sanitation is regulated at federal, state, and county levels. This means that your business is held to higher standards—so you’re already ahead of the curve!
Your best line of defense against all types of illnesses,
viruses, and pathogens is effectively cleaning, sanitizing & disinfecting high-traffic
surfaces, equipment, linens, and any items that touch you or your clients. Check
your sanitizing and disinfecting products to ensure your business stocks the
recommended broad-spectrum
disinfectant sanitizers, anti-viral & anti-microbials that minimize
health risk. Use the information and checklists below to do a “walk-through” and
see if there are opportunities to improve.
Recommended Disinfectants & Sanitizers
Quats (quaternary ammonium compounds) are the powerful disinfectant chemicals in disinfectant wipes, sprays, and cleaners. Quats are designed to kill germs, viruses, bacteria, microbes, fungi and other pathogens. Make sure your day-to-day practices include cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. Sanitizing reduces (but doesn’t kill) the occurrence and growth of bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Disinfecting “kills” microscopic organisms.
When stocking your business sanitation station, make sure to look for products and solutions that are effective against a variety of pathogens:
Look for the words Bactericidal, staphylocidal, Pseudomonacidal, Tuberculocidal, Virucidal, Fungicidal
Sanitation Checklists
Sanitation Tips
- Know your state’s infection control laws and
comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
- Always clean and sanitize tools, equipment,
linens, and surfaces before disinfecting them.
- Always mix disinfectants according to the label
instructions, to avoid dangerous chemical interactions.
- Change disinfectants and quats every day—no
exceptions.
- When using disinfectants, use the right contact
time (amount of time required to be effective against germs.)
Communicate Safety with Clients
Most of your sanitation steps are intentionally done behind-the-scenes, to provide an elevated service experience for your clients. However, the drawback to discreet cleaning and sanitation is that many clients may not know how hygienic your business is on a day-to-day basis. So it’s a great time to use text and email marketing to let clients know the steps you take daily to run a clean business. You can also use email and text messaging to communicate any additional measures your business is taking to ensure a safe, comfortable service experience.
Text Message Template
Acme Studios is dedicated to providing a safe, sanitary experience for our clients every day, but especially in light of COVID19. Click here to learn more about measures we’re taking to make sure your service is relaxing, safe, and sanitary.
Email Template
Acme Studios always provides a safe, sanitary experience for our clients, but in light of COVID19, we’re taking extra precautions to keep our clients and staff safe. We recommend visiting the CDC or WHO websites for official information and updates, and are following best practices to minimize risk.
Our industry standards of
hygiene and sanitation require frequent handwashing, as well as the sanitation
and disinfection of all tools, surfaces, linens and equipment between clients. We
will maintain and increase these procedures to keep our space at the highest
level of cleanliness.
We’re serious about your
safety, so we’re taking action to make sure our business is hygienic, without
disrupting your services. To protect our staff and clients, here are some extra
steps we’re taking:
- Service providers who are sick will stay home.
- If you’re sick, or if you’ve traveled recently, we urge you to stay home as well. We’re happy to reschedule your services.
- We’re temporarily pausing our cancellation and no-show policy. Your health and peace of mind is our top priority. However, we appreciate as much advance notice of a cancellation as possible.
- We’ve removed all magazines, complimentary snacks, and the self-serve coffee station to minimize risk of infection. If you’d like coffee or a snack during your visit, just ask! Until further notice, Acme is storing snacks in a sealed, airtight container and individually preparing coffee.
- Acme is temporarily creating a cashless check-out. You may pay in advance online or use your card at our disinfected check-out in-store. Disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer are provided at check-out.
Please subscribe to Acme Studios text message service for timely updates on changes to shop hours, rescheduling, or online sales. We thank you for your ongoing support in this time, and we hope to see you—safe and healthy—in the near future.
You’re Open for Them – We’re Open for You
Throughout history, service professions have made it through serious challenges and remained thriving. Because your business keeps going even when times are tough, COVID-19 is another challenge that Vagaro will rise to face with you. You’re open for business to help your clients, so we’re open to serve you, helping your business thrive, even under the most challenging circumstances. Vagaro is with you.
Additional Resources
Stay up-to-date andfollow the safety advice and
precautions recommended by the organizations listed below. Use proper
sanitation protocols to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19.
If you show symptoms listed by the CDC,
consult a licensed medical professional.
Links
- Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS) – Coronavirus Disease
2019 (COVID-19) Facts Sheet (updated daily)
- World
Health Organization (WHO) – COVID-19 Health Topic
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Coronavirus
2019 (COVID-19) Emergency Preparedness & Response
- Lucas Products – Federal
& State Requirements for Salon & Spa
- No Excuses Safety Training – Salon/Spa
Sanitation and Hygiene Checklist
- FDA – Cosmetology
Rules & National Updates
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) – Bloodborne
Pathogens Standard
- OSHA – Respiratory Protection
eTool
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) &
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – Respirators Overview
- DOL/OSHA – Infectious
Diseases Rulemaking
Disclaimer: The content on this blog or contributed/associated with Vagaro, including, but not limited to, the text, graphics, images, links, and other material are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment related to or in defense to any virus or infectious diseases. The above does not constitute medical or professional advice. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.
Photographs: Giorgio Trovato via Vagaro
Icons & Graphics: Mia Montemayor via Vagaro