Tool Disinfection & Sterlization Process

When we think about nails, we usually think about gel and pretty designs, but we should always remember that any process involving our skin must also be clean, disinfected and sterilized, to avoid nail disease. When working with our tools, like the cuticle pusher, cuticle nippers or scissors, and even our nail drill bits, we should always make sure they are disinfected and sterilized after every use.

Even healthy looking nails can hold invisible particles (germs, fungus, viruses) that we don't want to keep on our tools from one treatment to another, even when we are just working on ourselves, let alone when we work on different people.

In order to keep your tools safe from use to use, follow this step by step guide how to disinfect your manicure tools and sterilize them in high temprature heat.

What you need to disinfect and sterilize your tools

1. Disinfecting solution, like mar-v-cide

2. Disinfection soaking tray

3. A bristle brush that's used for this process only

4. High temperature sterilizer and suitable packets.

   
   

Step by Step Process

Step 1: collect all your stainless steel tools and place them in a tray

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Step 2: Use your brush and a bowl of soapy water and scrub down your tools to remove any debris like dust and skin, wash them well in water. Any debris that stays on the tools will prevent the disinfecting solution from doing it's job.

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Step 3: Place the tools in your disinfection soaking tray and put on some nitril gloves, to protect your hands from the disinfection agent. Prepare the disinfection solution. The solution should be mixed in a bottle and it must be made fresh for each use. Follow the instructions of your disinfection agent, in my case I use mar-v-cide which I use in a 500ml (17Oz) water bottle, into which I add 1.5 caps of mar-v-cide.

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Step 4: Pour your solution of mar-v-cide and water into the soaking tray, aim to cover the tools completely. Any part of the tool sticking out of the solution will not be disinfected. Let the tools soak for 15 minutes. Pour any remaining solution into your tray with your brush in it.

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Step 5: Wash the tools from the disinfection solution in clean water, wash off your soaking tray as well. Lay them out to dry on a clean towel or paper towel.

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Step 6: Now that the tools are fully dry, place them inside a sterlization packet, seal it, and place in the high temperature sterlizer. Go for a temperature of 180°C (356°F) for one hour. Only Stainless steel tools can be placed in the sterilizer, your plastic brittle brush can't.

When that sterilizer dings, your tools are ready to go. Let the packet cool off before you touch it, as the tools are very hot. Now you can either open the packet and move your tools to a dust free container. Or, keep them in the sterilization pouch / packet and tear open the packet right before you start the next service, knowing they are fully disinfected and sterilized from any viruses, fungi or germs.