Foot spa and pedicure hygiene: cleaning between clients

Why foot spas need careful cleaning

Dirt, skin and other organic matter build up in a foot spa's filters and jets, where germs can multiply and be pumped back into the water. NSW Health notes that foot spas have been linked to outbreaks of bacterial infection, particularly non-tuberculous mycobacteria, which can cause skin infections.

Check feet first

Look for broken skin (such as blisters or cuts) and signs of infection (such as tinea). If you find them, don't go ahead with the foot spa or pedicure. Single-use disposable liners also reduce the risk of spreading infection.

After every client

1. Drain the water.
2. Clean all surfaces with detergent and warm water, using a clean cloth or a single-use towel.
3. Disinfect with a hospital-grade disinfectant. For recirculating spas, circulate water and disinfectant as the manufacturer directs.
4. Wipe dry with a clean, lint-free cloth. Use a fresh cloth for every client.

At the end of the day

• Wearing gloves, remove the filter screen, inlet jets and other removable parts.
• Scrub the spa and parts with a brush, warm water and a suitable cleaning agent.
• Soak the parts in hospital-grade disinfectant for at least 10 minutes, or the manufacturer's contact time if longer.
• Rinse, reassemble, then circulate disinfectant through a recirculating spa for the required contact time. Drain, rinse, dry and store clean.

Once a week

NSW Health advises soaking the foot spa and all its parts in disinfectant overnight.

Pedicure tools

Instruments that cut or could cut the skin, such as cuticle nippers, need to be sterile or single-use. Files, buffers and pumice stones that can't be cleaned and disinfected are single-use. Store chemicals in their original containers with their safety data sheets.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions, your salon's procedures and your local council's requirements.