How to Clean Nail Files and Buffers as a Nail Tech

Running a salon is a major responsibility. You’re constantly juggling a number of tasks, sometimes alone. Or, managing a staff on top of everything else you have to do. Client satisfaction is a huge factor in maintaining your reputation, and the last thing you want is to get labeled as a dirty salon. Ensuring your premises and equipment are clean isn’t just good practice – in many states, it’s the law. Regularly disinfecting your nail tools can protect you and your clients against germs, infections, and other bacteria, keeping everyone’s hands safe and healthy. 

This guide will cover how to disinfect nail tools, including steps to take and tips on making sure your salon stays sanitized. Keep reading to learn how to clean nail files and buffers to maintain exceptional hygiene in your salon. 

4 Steps to Clean and Disinfect Nail Files

Nail files aren’t meant to last forever, especially in a professional capacity. While some states mandate the use of disposable files, others may allow you to reuse nail files as long as they’re made from materials like glass, metal, or glazed ceramic. However, once the grit wears down on the nail file or you find yourself pressing harder on the nails to get the same shaping effect, it’s time to replace them with fresh ones.  

Here, we’ve provided a list of steps for how to clean nail files and buffers, including what to use to disinfect these nail tools and keep them immaculate. 

1. Dry brush your files

After each appointment, your nail files will be covered in dust and debris. Before you soak them in cleaning fluids, you’ll want to dry brush them first. Using a wire brush (or any other type of stiff-bristled brush), sweep across the file to lift and remove any skin residue. 

Keep in mind that disposable files, such as those made of cardboard or foam, cannot be cleaned or reused in a professional capacity. 

2. Rinse and wash the nail file

Once you’ve brushed the nail file, run it under warm water to get rid of any loosened debris. Apply some mild soap to a soft brush and lather it up along the nail file, taking care to scrub each part of the tool. 

3. Soak your nail file

Fill a bowl with the disinfectant of your choice. Bleach and water mixtures, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide are just some solutions you can use to disinfect nail tools. Soak your nail files for 5 to 15 minutes, but leaving them submerged too long may accelerate weakening. 

4. Rinse again and dry

Run your freshly scrubbed and soaked nail file under water again to cleanse it of any remaining cleaning agents. Using a clean, lint-free towel, blot the tool to remove moisture and prevent mold growth. 

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5 Steps to Clean and Disinfect Nail Buffers

There are some ways to easily clean your reusable nail files, but buffers are a different story. Most buffers are made from foam or other porous material, making them harder to sanitize sufficiently. Many states will prohibit the reuse of nail buffers unless they are made from glass or another non-porous material. Here, we list some steps to properly cleanse your buffers: 

1. Use a brush

Using a stiff toothbrush or wire brush, brush across the surface of the buffer to remove any skin debris. Make sure to do this on all sides. 

2. Scrub gently with soap

Apply some mild soap and warm water to a soft bristle brush and rub it along the nail buffer, working up a lather to cover each side. Gently scrub each part of the nail tool, removing any remnants of dirt or oils. 

3. Disinfect

Fill a spray bottle with (at least) 70% isopropyl alcohol and spray your buffers, coating each side. You can also soak your buffers in alcohol to disinfect them, though soaking too long may damage the buffing surface. 

4. Dry the buffer

Using a clean towel or microfiber cloth, blot the nail buffing tool to remove moisture and prevent mold growth. 

5. Let air dry

Don’t keep your buffers wrapped up in a towel, as that can accelerate harmful bacterial growth. After blotting, let your buffers air dry in a well-ventilated area. 

How to Sanitize Other Nail Tools

Learning how to clean nail files and buffers is only one part of your sanitization strategy. Many of the other reusable tools at your salon, such as metal clippers, cuticle scissors, manicure bowls, and electric nail drill bits, must get sanitized regularly to prevent cross-contamination or infections. 

1. Remove any polish

If your tools have dried nail polish on them, make sure you thoroughly remove it using acetone or another suitable nail polish removing solution. 

2. Wash and dry your tools

Using a mild soap and warm water, wash your tools with a brush or cloth to remove any visible residue or oils. You can also place your nail equipment in boiling water for at least 30 minutes to help clean them. Do not boil any harmful chemicals like bleach or alcohol. Then, using a clean, microfiber or lint-free towel, pat your tools dry. (If you boil your tools, let them cool after removing them from the water before handling.)

3. Submerge the tools in disinfectant

Use a hospital grade, EPA-registered disinfectant solution (such as Barbicide) to soak your nail tools for at least 10 minutes, or as many stated by the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Barbicide for salons - $25

4. Clean with alcohol

After disinfecting, soak or wipe down the tools again in at least 70% isopropyl alcohol, then pat dry with a clean towel. 

5. Store them properly

Place your freshly sterilized tools in a clean, sealed container or designated drawer to maintain hygiene until use. Avoid leaving your disinfected equipment in high-use areas or mixing with used nail equipment, as you don’t want to risk any cross-contamination. 

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4 Tips and Tricks to Ensure Sanitary Nail Services

Reassuring your clients that your tools and hands are clean may not be enough to assuage their hygiene fears. However, there are a few actions you can take to show your clients that you take their health and safety seriously. 

1. Ensure furniture is clean

Salon chairs and tables should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after every client. There shouldn’t be any debris, garbage, or items from the previous client at your station. 

2. Wash your hands

You probably wash your hands several times a day as it is – but your client doesn’t know that! Washing your hands right before your client sits down is a great way to prevent transferring bacteria from one client to another, as well as showing your next client you take your hygienic practices seriously. (It’s a good idea to wash your clients’ hands, too.)

If you wear disposable gloves, change into fresh ones right before your appointment. Avoid touching any surfaces or items again before touching the clients’ hands. 

3. Use a nail dust collector

Dust collectors are compact vacuum fans that help catch nail and skin debris and prevent it from circulating around your salon. Using one during and after your clients’ services can keep the air filtered and clean from both regular nail and acrylic dust, as well as chemicals and other impurities.

Nail dust collector - $39.99

4. Throw away all disposable materials

Dispose of any tissues, nail sticks, plastic wrap, or other single-use materials in the trash. Make sure your trash can has a lid that can self-close or shut hands-free. If possible, keep the trash can behind your station and away from the client. 

Elevate Your Nail Salon with GlossGenius

Salon cleanliness is important for you, your clients, and your staff. In fact, it’s critical to your entire operation. Spreading fungal infections or other viruses can tank your entire salon reputation, making it hard to recover. And if you violate any health codes, you could also incur major penalties and fines. Knowing how to disinfect nail tools to maintain proper hygiene protocols is the only way to ensure your clients stay safe and protected while patronizing your business. 

GlossGenius is the perfect partner for nail techs to manage their daily business. With Inventory Management, you can track your salon products in real-time and get low-stock notifications when it’s time to resupply. Our Client Management features also make it simple to set up automated appointment confirmations and reminders so you never have to suffer no-shows. And with our Payments software, you can process all of your transactions for a flat 2.6% fee. 

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FAQs

How do nail salons sanitize tools?

Nail salons must adhere to the strict sanitization guidelines laid out by their respective states. For the most part, many nail salons must sanitize their tools through a series of washing and disinfecting processes. This will likely involve the use of heavy-duty materials like bleach and hospital-grade chemicals. 

How to clean a metal nail file?

Metal nail files are one of the few salon tools you can wash and disinfect for reuse. You can clean metal by scrubbing it with warm water and soap, or boiling it in water for at least 30 minutes. Soak in a disinfectant solution and spray down with rubbing alcohol before patting dry and placing in a sanitary drawer.

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