A pretty set of nails should never come with a side of worry. Most salons take hygiene seriously, but as a guest it can be hard to know what you’re looking at. Which details really matter? What’s reasonable to ask? And what does the state actually require?
Keep this checklist in mind the next time you’re trying a new salon.
Start with what you can see
- A generally tidy space. Clean floors, wiped-down stations and clear trash bins aren’t everything, but they say a lot about the habits behind the scenes.
- Clean towels and linens. Fresh towels should come from clean storage. Florida’s salon rule calls for clean linens to be kept in a closed, dustproof cabinet, with used linens kept separately in a closed container.
- Fresh tools for each guest. You should see tools coming out of a clean, closed container or pouch, not sitting out from the previous guest.
- Clean hands. Technicians should wash or sanitize their hands before starting, and clean your hands or feet too.
Know what happens to the tools
Metal tools such as nippers, pushers and clippers can be reused, but only when properly cleaned and disinfected between guests. Under Florida’s salon requirements, items must be cleaned with soap and water and then disinfected with a hospital-level or EPA-approved disinfectant. Using an implement on more than one guest without disinfecting it is prohibited.
Soft, porous items such as nail files, buffers and toe separators are difficult to disinfect once used. Many salons treat them as one-time items or give them to the guest. If something looks worn or used, it’s perfectly fine to ask for a new one.
Pay special attention to the pedicure area
Pedicure tubs deserve a closer look because warm water and shared equipment need careful maintenance. Florida’s rule (Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G5-20.002) sets out a specific routine for foot spa units:
- After every guest, the unit must be cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant for at least ten minutes.
- At the end of each day, filter screens must be disinfected, and the basin must hold disinfectant solution for several hours before being drained and flushed.
- Every week, the basin gets an additional long soak with a bleach solution.
- A log of cleaning and disinfection dates and times must be kept in the pedicure area and made available upon request.
Our salon uses pipeless spa chairs, which have no hidden jets or pipes for water to sit in. That design makes cleaning more straightforward, and it’s one of the reasons we chose them.
Check the license
Florida licenses cosmetology salons and registers nail specialists. If you want to confirm a salon’s status, you can use the license search on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s website, myfloridalicense.com.
Protect yourself, too
- Don’t shave your legs for about a day before a pedicure.
- Reschedule if you have cuts, scrapes, bug bites or a skin infection on your feet or legs.
- Speak up about cuticles. If anything feels uncomfortable or too aggressive, say so. A good technician will adjust right away.
- Talk to your doctor first if you have diabetes, poor circulation or a weakened immune system.
When to walk away
Trust your instincts. If you see dirty tools, a used file brought out for you, a tub that isn’t cleaned between guests, or staff who seem irritated by a simple question, you’re allowed to leave. There will always be another appointment.
Come see for yourself
Cleanliness is one of the values we care about most. Sterilized tools and pipeless spa chairs are standard here, and we’re happy to answer any questions you have. Learn more about our salon or book your visit whenever you’re ready.
