Ultrasonic cleaners….what you need to know!

The idea of using ultrasonic cleaners in our sanitation practices, came about around 2016.

After I learned of the hazards which are affiliated with washing our tools and implements at the sink, I would be remiss if I didn’t seek out a healthier, safer option for our clients.

What exactly is an ultrasonic cleaner? A process that uses ultrasound (usually from 20–40 kHz) to agitate a fluid.

An ultrasonic cleaner is a machine which removes tightly-adhered contaminants from intricate items with blind holes, cracks and recesses.

Cleaning, defined as; “the action of removing debris” is always the first step in proper sanitation.

What many people don’t realize is the process of cleaning does not kill. The next step, disinfection…is what kills bacteria.

The other point worth mentioning is proper cleaning is a full 2 minute process or (Happy Birthday song or ABC song).

We are taught this when it comes to hand washing, yet many people skip this point when it comes to washing our tools and implements.

The importance of “suds” is crucial in traditional cleaning, as is the suds which carry the debris down the drain…off the tools/implements.

The education I learned back in 2016 was a huge eye opener. Debris which falls down our drains cause a Biofilm which, when re-activated by warm water causes toxic fumes.

Hearing this and then understanding this was a huge eye opener for me.

The owners of Micrylium, based in Canada are chemist. Well known in Canada and all facets of the Dental Industry.

Dean was called into a large Medical Company to assist with research regarding this Companies employees. Apparently they had realized, their employees all suffered with some type of low level type allergy symptoms. Runny nose, scratchy eyes, sore throat, sinus problems etc.

After calling in drywall vendors, paint vendors, carpet vendors, cleaning vendors, air conditioning/heating vendors in an attempt to find what the root cause might be, they called in Dean.

As a Medical Company In relation to Dental,  this Company did much like we do in our Industry. We use our tools/implements and then we walk them to the sink to “clean off the debris”.

What Dean was able to share was this;

Sinks have a drain, and most drains have “P” traps. This is the elbow in the drain pipes.

As we run water and debris down our sinks, water will settle in the “P” trap. With this water settlement is debris. This settlement will harden over time and form what is known as Biofilm.

As we run more warm water/suds down the drain, it releases if you will the Biofilm causing toxic fumes to release up through the drain.

It is these toxic fumes which cause allergy type symptoms. Symptoms which we would never think of relating to “work hazards”.

As I’m listening to this story I am devastated as I think about all the years I did this to myself. And, how fortunate I am now to have learned of this to share with my clients.

My first question was “How was the problem solved”?

The answer to that question was my introduction to Ultrasonic baths.

An ultrasonic machine takes the place of standing at a sink and cleaning our tools.

• With all the debris attached to our nail clippers, our foot files…all our tools, you would place them directly into the ultrasonic cleaner.
• Using a specific enzymatic cleaner tablet or solution, you would set the clean cycle to a minimum of 2 minutes up to 10 minutes. Turn it on and let it do the cleaning job efficiently and safely for you.
• Once the cycle is complete, the tools/implements are removed, rinsed and wiped then placed in your disinfection solution.

Notable mentions:

1. Disinfection solution used in an ultrasonic cleaner can cause a chemical combustion. It could be mild as in blowing a fuse or the machine can blow up, causing a fire. Do not use a disinfection solution in your ultrasonic cleaner.
2. Home care jewelry cleaners are not effective. To begin with, the size would not accommodate tools such as your AngelFeet files. In addition, the small motor does not give enough value to “shake away” all the debris we can accumulate on our tools and implements…especially our foot files.
3. Heat is not necessary unless you are cleaning blood. Hopefully we won’t have blood on our tools which means the heat cycle is not necessary. Using the heat cycle unnecessarily can cause the machine to wear out fast, and the basket or cover to crack.

Choosing the proper solution:

There are many options for cleaning solutions which can be used in an ultrasonic machine. Do your research. Use caution however, be sure the product is specifically for an ultrasonic cleaner which means, you should be looking for an enzymatic* cleaner.

Centre For Beauty offers 2 options, depending on you budget.

1. BioSon cleaner. This is our first option because it is part of our Micrylium brand which, we feel very strongly about it being an effective, non-carcinogenic solution. On the onset the price might bring you some sticker shock, however it is the most cost effective brand. It is available in a 5L size box and solution ratio to water is 2oz. We did the math and due to the fact our BioSon solution is effective for 5-10 days, a 5L box of BioSon could easily last you up to a year.
2. Dual enzymatic tablets. This is our second option we brought in for those who can not afford the $$ outlay of our BioSon. They are individual enzymatic tablets which drop right into your filled (with water) ultrasonic cleaner. The drawback with the tablets is the solution must be replaced daily.

*enzymatic cleaner; Enzymatic cleaners are any cleaning products that use enzymes in their formulas to help break down stains. Enzymes are macromolecular biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions; this usually occurs in the body, but in the case of enzymatic cleaners, the process is used for a different purpose.

Cost effectiveness:

It’s a little difficult to break down the cost effectiveness of using an ultrasonic cleaner. However, I can tell you this;

1. It saves time. Time spent cleaning at a sink cost $$$. Placing your tools/implements into an ultrasonic cleaner, pushing the on button and getting back to the work which actually brings in money is much more productive. Our units have a large chamber which can assume a lot of tools at one time.
2. The amount of waste in cleaning soaps compared to a measured amount is worth mentioning.
3. Healthier. Without a doubt the use of an ultrasonic cleaner is by far the most healthiest form of cleaning one could hope for. You aren’t breathing in any unwanted fumes.

Should you or shouldn’t you?

The first question I would ask is this….Are you spending 2 minutes at the sink, cleaning your tools/implements, waiting for suds to carry the debris down the drain?

If you answered “ah NO”….an ultrasonic cleaner is for you.

I would also ask….How much do you value your time and how much do you value your health?

You can visit our website www.cjscentreforbeauty.com, click on our disinfection link and look at what we have to offer.

Thinking of another brand? No problem….feel free to reach out to me with any questions I Amy be able to assist with in an effort to help you make a decision.

Centre For Beauty is just days away from finishing our “Infection Prevention” book for Salons. A book which serves as a manual detailing basic terminology of microbes, cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and salon protocol.

This manual can be for your existing clientele as well as any new hires.

Certification of completion is available through online testing.

It is available for pre-purchase on our website under disinfection @ www.cjscentreforbeauty.com