Cleaning is the act of removing dirt but does not necessarily disinfect the surface. It is done using soap and water and is done first before disinfection.
Sanitizing is not the same as disinfecting. Sanitizing kills bacteria but not viruses.
Disinfecting with EPA approved products, kills the viruses, bacteria or other things indicated on the label of the disinfectant. There is a specific time of contact required for disinfecting products to kill the intended microbe. The product label will give specific directions. Things that may interfere with the time are things like the product dried faster than the required time or was wiped away sooner than the time required for disinfecting. Products are made for specific viruses and pathogens. The products are tested and approved by the EPA or FDA and meet standards set by OSHA.
Disinfectants may have health side effects or may also cause changes in the material that it is applied to.
Sterilizing is for tools that may penetrate the skin and draw blood, like scissors or cutting tools that may be used in a salon
Protecting YOU and the Client
N95 face masks or surgical face masks are required along with gloves and face shields especially when working with people sitting at the head of the table where you breath directly on the client and the client breathes on you.
While I am sure this was meant as a joke, it may really be something like this that saves the massage profession. A face shield on the client and therapist could also do the job.
Where is the coronavirus?
Think about everything YOU touch in and around the office and everything the client touches on the way to your office as well as in and around your office. EVERYTHING needs to be considered to have the virus – the doornobs, the elevator button, the carpet, the table/facerest, the chair the client sits on or hangers/clothes racks that the client uses….everything.
- clean all surfaces of the massage table with approved products. CDC recommended disinfecting products.
Special emphasis on the facerest, table end plates and legs where the client breaths through the facerest. - wipe all counters, tables, chairs, clothes racks and hangers, door knobs and around the doors and all surfaces, glass, metal, wood etc
- wear gloves to clean
- dispose of cleaning materials in garbage bag or closed garbage can
- remove porous surfaces like chairs and rugs if possible.
- clean and disinfect computer screens, tablets and phones that are used to play music and to take credit cards.
- use plastic carpet covers if necessary especially under the facerest
No more sheet stacking – you sheet stackers you!
Laundry
Washing and drying are pretty much the same. You might want to be more careful transporting your laundry to and from your office if you take it home or have it sent out and transporting it from your room to the laundry room.
Building Trust with the Client around Cleaning/Sanitizing
Right now we really don’t know much about how clients will be reacting to the risk of getting the virus when getting a massage. It is essential to do everything possible to ease their fears around it.
- Have hand sanitizer and other wipes or cleaning products available to them for their use.
- Let them see you cleaning and sanitizing and tell them what you are doing as you do it.
- Let them bring their own mask and face shield.
Other resources:
BARBICIDE® Back-to-Work Plan A Plan of Action for your Salon, Shop or SpaFollowing the COVID-19 Pandemic
OSHA – Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19