Sterilising Grooming Equipment
There are several ways to clean and sterilise grooming equipment between dogs. Using the correct methods is important for maintaining good hygiene and helping to prevent the spread of bacteria and infections within the salon.
Clipper Spray
One method we use between dogs is an all-in-one clipper spray. This helps to remove dirt and debris from the blades while also lubricating them and reducing friction. It can also help to cool the blades during grooming, helping to reduce the risk of the blades becoming too hot and causing clipper burn.
The spray can also be used on other metal grooming tools, such as scissors, to help remove dirt and debris and keep them lubricated.
Barbicide
Another method of disinfecting grooming equipment is Barbicide. However, Barbicide should not be used as a replacement for cleaning the equipment first.
Before placing equipment into the Barbicide solution, it should be thoroughly washed with soap and water to remove any visible dirt, hair and debris.
Once clean, the equipment can be placed into the Barbicide solution at the recommended dilution of 16:1. The equipment should remain submerged for approximately 10 minutes, following the product’s instructions.
Once the process is complete, the equipment should be removed, thoroughly dried and, where appropriate, blades should be re-oiled before being used again.
UV Cabinet
As an additional step, clean and disinfected metal equipment can be placed into a UV cabinet. This provides an additional stage of sanitisation after the equipment has been cleaned and disinfected.
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the UV cabinet, including the recommended exposure time, rather than assuming that UV light alone will sterilise contaminated equipment.
Why Is Sterilisation Important?
Keeping grooming equipment clean and properly disinfected is an important part of maintaining a safe salon environment. It helps reduce the risk of bacteria and infections being transferred between dogs and also helps protect the groomer.
Good equipment hygiene is particularly important when working with multiple dogs throughout the day, as bacteria, fungi, viruses, hair, skin cells and other contaminants can be transferred through grooming tools if they are not cleaned correctly.
By cleaning equipment thoroughly between dogs and using an appropriate disinfecting method, groomers can help maintain high standards of hygiene and provide a safer environment for both dogs and staff.
