Longer days, warmer weather–the hallmarks of the approaching Spring season are upon us!
We are all looking forward to enjoying the outdoors more, but before we can bound happily into the spring sunshine, we have some chores to do. That’s right! It’s time for Spring Cleaning. And as our students and alumni know quite well, at New Age Spa Institute, we take cleaning very seriously!
Most people are familiar with this cathartic reset of their personal space, but did you know that spring cleaning is also incredibly important in the salon? Spring cleaning in the salon doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. We break down 3 important tasks to check off your to-do list along with ideas you can implement on a regular basis that will streamline the process in the future!
1. Out with the old and in with the new.(Products)
As nail technicians, our products are our reputation. If an old or expired product is in use, you will experience service breakdown each and every time you use the product. Furthermore, exposure to expired product has a higher likelihood of causing allergic reaction. Since it is our professional responsibility to provide our clients with the safest, healthiest services, it is in our best interest to discard all expired product, whether they have been opened or not. Many salon professionals may be under the impression that a sealed container means infinite shelf life. This is not the case. Keep in mind that these products were manufactured, processed and packaged, then stored in a warehouse before ever making it into your hands. They may not be as ‘fresh’ as you anticipate!
Start by gathering all of your open products. Check each product for signs of deterioration, contamination, rancid smell, change in consistency, etc. Separate the “bad” products from those that are still good. The expired product will need to be disposed of according to what type of product it is. While it is commonplace for us to just toss a product into the trash, the product composition should dictate the proper disposal procedures. Expired lotions, creams, scrubs or masks can safely be tossed in the bin, but products such as gel, gel polish, monomer, polymer powder, and even disinfectant, should be disposed of in the same way that you would dispose of old paint or other flammable, potentially hazardous materials. Contact your local waste management for more information on how to safely dispose of these products and their containers.
2. Detailed Deep Cleaning
Nail dust permeates every nook and cranny in the nail salon! There is dust where you never anticipated it could travel. Eliminate this air quality hazard with a detailed deep cleaning of all of your furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Take some time to empty your table drawers and wipe them out. Get your chairs steam cleaned if they are fabric! Wipe down all of your polish and product bottle necks and storage containers. Discard and replace any “dead” nail files, buffers, bits, etc.
Wipe down all of your electrical cords! Check that all of your electrical equipment is in good working order and discard any equipment that has frayed or broken cords. This would also be a great time to change all of your air ventilation system filters and check that all vents are clean and free of dust build up. Air quality is of the utmost importance for the health of not just your clients, but also for nail technicians.
Laundry is never ending in the salon and the more we use and wash our towels, the more wear and tear they go through. Go through your laundry stock and repurpose frayed, stained, ripped or faded towels and replace them with new ones! While you may not notice when focused in service, clients have nothing but time to observe the most miniscule details. Fresh, clean, unstained towels put forth the best possible impression! Old towels are easily repurposed as cleaning cloths.
Deep clean all trash bins with soap, water and a brush. This can help keep strong chemical odors to a minimum.
3. “A winning effort begins with preparation.”
Now that we have overhauled our product inventory, discarded any broken or faulty equipment and tools, and repurposed deteriorating laundry, lets take a look at some things we can do now to streamline the process in the future!
Label your products. This can help you determine when you purchased certain products and how long they have been sitting on your shelf. It can be as simple as writing the date on the bottom with a permanent marker, or as complex as a color-coded tracking system. Not only will this help you keep track of how long your products are sitting on the shelf, it can help with inventory control by giving you an idea of how long it is taking to use those products. If you notice you have an overabundance of certain products that are sitting for extended periods of time, it would suggest that you should restock those products less frequently.
Store your polish bottles on the shelf from newest to oldest. This will make it very easy to identify and discard old polishes during spring cleaning!
Create a cleaning schedule that details which deep cleaning tasks could be completed on a monthly basis. Utilizing a comprehensive cleaning schedule in the salon will streamline how you function in your day to day business. Taking the time to reset and refresh your space and inventory will not only have a positive impact on your business, but also on your mood. Decluttering the workspace undoubtedly helps to declutter our minds and allows productive, creative energies to flow. So, gather your supplies, put on some sunny tunes, and spring clean your way to success