If you’re one of the UK’s 288,000 beauticians, hairdressers and barbers, or 45,000 hair and beauty business owners according to National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) statistics, chances are you keep a keen eye out for hygiene and safety. After all, it’s hard to imagine any customer wanting a fresh style or luxurious treatment in less-than-clean surroundings!
Keeping your salon clean matters for a wide range of reasons. Read on to learn all about why hygiene is so crucial and how to keep your business clean.
What does the law say about salon hygiene?
According to the NHBF, salons must ensure they’re operating within the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (the UK’s main health and safety law), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) (prevention of hazardous substances from harming people), and Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 2004 (which makes sure cosmetics are used safely by businesses).
Failure to follow these rules can invite fines or even jail time, so make sure to familiarise yourself with regulations and ensure you’re working within the limits of the law.
Does hygiene matter to the customer experience?
A clean salon is a comfortable salon. If customers can see hair, dirt, dust, and grime – even in the corner of their eye – then they’re not going to be at ease, and their experience will suffer as a result. However great the conversation or amazing the results, impressions stick: they’ll associate your business with a lack of cleanliness and likely try a competitor next time.
Cross-contamination is also an issue, particularly for businesses that offer treatments. If your staff are using tools that haven’t been sterilised between uses, then there’s a danger of hazardous germs being transmitted from work surfaces or other clients to the customer. This can make them ill and invite legal action which can torpedo your business’ chances.
What can I do to keep my salon hygienic?
Thankfully, keeping your salon clean and hygienic is easy. Sterilise all tools between uses and store them in a clean, dry place. Deep clean your premises daily and keep on top of visible dirt throughout the working day. And be sure to have the appropriate beauty salon insurance in case of emergencies. This will protect your business if the worst occurs, such as flooding or a break-in, letting you get back on your feet in the simplest and quickest way possible.
Do you own a salon? How do you keep it clean? If you’re a customer, does hygiene really matter to you? Let us know in the comments section.
