The ultimate salon cleaning checklist

Keeping a salon clean isn't just about appearances—it's an important part of creating a welcoming and hygienic space for clients and staff. From daily tasks to periodic deep cleans, we've created a salon cleaning checklist that covers everything so your salon shines with hygiene, safety and professionalism at every turn.

Why is cleaning your salon important?

A clean salon promotes a safe and healthy environment for clients and staff. Regular cleaning helps eliminate germs, bacteria and allergens that could cause illnesses or allergic reactions. This is so important when you're up close and personal with your clients.

A clean and well-maintained salon enhances the overall experience for your clients. A tidy and hygienic environment contributes to a positive perception of your salon and can increase client satisfaction and loyalty, with fewer complaints and more trust. Your reputation matters.

In a salon, you have to meet health and safety standards regarding cleanliness and sanitation. This is important to protect your customers, ensure that you meet regulations and inspections and ensure that you're working safely in line with your hair and beauty insurance. Proper cleaning practices help prevent the spread of infections or diseases. This is especially critical in a salon where tools, equipment and surfaces come into contact with multiple clients throughout the day.

Regular cleaning and maintenance of salon equipment, such as styling tools, chairs and sinks, can extend their lifespan. Proper care reduces the risk of damage or malfunction, saving money on replacements. Keeping the salon clean and organised minimises clutter and reduces the risk of accidents or injuries for clients and staff. It also ensures that emergency exits and pathways are clear.

A clean and organised work environment contributes to employee satisfaction and morale. It creates a more pleasant and comfortable workspace for staff, fostering a positive work culture. It can also boost productivity by allowing staff to focus on providing quality services without distractions or disruptions caused by untidiness.

What are your options for keeping your salon clean?

Keeping a salon clean involves various strategies and routines to maintain a hygienic and organised environment. There are different options to consider when it comes to keeping your salon clean.

Daily cleaning routine

• Surface cleaning—wipe down and disinfect surfaces regularly, including countertops, styling stations, chairs and sinks, using appropriate cleaning agents.
• Floor care—sweep and mop floors daily to remove hair, dust, and debris. Use a vacuum designed for salon floors or invest in salon-specific floor cleaning equipment.
• Tool sanitisation—clean and disinfect tools such as combs, scissors, and brushes between clients to prevent the spread of germs. Use professional-grade disinfectants or autoclaves for sterilisation where necessary.

Regular deep cleaning

• Weekly or monthly tasks—schedule deep cleaning sessions for areas that require more thorough attention, like storage areas, bathrooms, and break rooms. Pay attention to less visible spaces that accumulate dust or dirt.

Establish cleaning protocols

• Create a cleaning checklist—develop a detailed checklist outlining specific tasks, frequency and responsible staff members for each cleaning duty.
• Train staff—ensure all salon employees are trained on proper cleaning protocols, including cleaning products and equipment. Encourage teamwork to maintain cleanliness throughout the day.
• Storage and organisation—keep salon tools, products, and equipment well-organised to minimise clutter and make cleaning easier. Use storage solutions to keep items off surfaces and floors.
• Client education—educate clients about your salon's cleanliness efforts. Display signage or brochures informing them about your sanitation practices and the steps to ensure a clean environment.
• Customising a cleaning plan—creating a plan that suits your salon's size, layout, and specific needs is crucial. Consistency, attention to detail and a proactive approach to cleanliness will help maintain a hygienic and welcoming environment for clients and staff.

Use of professional cleaning services

• Outsource cleaning—consider hiring professional cleaning services for periodic deep cleaning or specialised tasks, especially for tasks that require specialist equipment or expertise.

Invest in cleaning equipment and supplies

• High-quality cleaning supplies—stock up on professional-grade cleaning agents, disinfectants, and sanitisers specifically formulated for salon use. Choose products that are effective against salon-related germs and bacteria.
• Appropriate equipment—invest in vacuum cleaners, mops, microfibre cloths, and cleaning tools designed for salon environments to ensure efficient and thorough cleaning.

Challenges to keeping your salon space clean

Maintaining a clean salon space comes with its set of challenges. Salons experience high foot traffic, and managing constant cleaning in these busy areas can be challenging. Clients may unintentionally contribute to messes by spilling products or leaving behind personal items, necessitating quick clean up to maintain a tidy environment.

Hair, spills, stains and product residue can be left around, and on busy days in the salon, managing cleaning alongside client appointments can be difficult. Properly managing and disposing of waste, including hair clippings, used towels, and disposable products, poses a challenge, especially in maintaining eco-friendly waste management practices.

Cleaning and maintaining salon-specific equipment often needs specialist knowledge and cleaning procedures. Meeting hygiene standards adds pressure to consistently uphold cleanliness, disinfection and sanitisation practices. Ensuring all staff consistently follow cleaning protocols and adhere to hygiene standards requires ongoing training and monitoring.

Salon cleaning checklist

Creating a thorough cleaning checklist is essential for maintaining a clean and hygienic salon environment, especially when your entire team is responsible for keeping your space clean and tidy.

Customise this checklist according to your salon's specific services, ensuring that hair and beauty areas are covered comprehensively. Regular staff training and supervision are essential to maintain consistent cleanliness across all salon sections.

Here's the salon cleaning checklist you need, split into different areas and tasks:

General salon cleaning

• Dust and wipe down light fixtures, mirrors, shelves, and displays in both hair and beauty areas
• Disinfect door handles, knobs, and any frequently touched surfaces throughout the salon
• Regularly clean windows and glass surfaces for a clean, professional appearance
• Deep clean floors, including grout lines, corners, and areas used for both hair and beauty services
• Sanitise and disinfect tools, equipment, and containers for beauty products
• Conduct regular checks of storage areas, cabinets, and drawers used for both hair and beauty supplies

Reception and waiting area

• Dust and wipe down the reception desk, countertops, and display areas for hair and beauty products
• Clean and sanitise chairs or seating areas used for both hair and beauty clients
• Disinfect doorknobs, handles, and light switches regularly
• Vacuum or sweep and mop the floors, ensuring cleanliness in both hair and beauty sections
• Remove clutter and organise reading materials, magazines, and beauty catalogues

Styling stations and work areas

• Wipe down and disinfect styling chairs, armrests, and footrests used for both hair styling and beauty treatments
• Clean mirrors in hair styling stations and beauty work areas, ensuring they're streak-free
• Sanitise hair styling tools (combs, brushes, scissors) and beauty tools (brushes, makeup tools) between clients
• Disinfect countertops used for hair styling products and beauty supplies
• Sweep hair clippings from the hair styling area and clean any spilt beauty products or residues from beauty stations
• Vacuum or sweep and mop the floors at the end of each day, addressing both hair and beauty areas

Shampoo area

• Clean and disinfect shampoo bowls, faucets, and handles used for hair washing
• Sanitise and wipe down shampoo chairs or beds used for hair treatments
• Ensure towels and capes are laundered and replaced between hair clients and beauty treatments
• Sweep or vacuum hair clippings from the floor in both hair and beauty areas

Beauty treatment rooms

• Sanitise and disinfect treatment tables, chairs, or beds used for beauty services
• Clean and disinfect equipment used for facials, waxing, or other beauty treatments
• Ensure that beauty products, creams, and lotions are properly stored and organised
• Vacuum or sweep and mop floors in beauty treatment rooms

Bathrooms

• Clean and disinfect toilets, handles, seats, sinks, and surrounding areas used by hair and beauty clients
• Sanitise mirrors, countertops, and any beauty-specific equipment in the bathroom
• Restock toiletries, hand towels, and ensure waste bins are emptied and liners replaced
• Sweep and mop the floors, ensuring cleanliness in both hair and beauty sections

You should ask your team to ensure they follow the checklist daily and get them to sign it to show that this has been done at the end of the day. You can also incorporate other daily tasks into these checklists for efficiency.

Specialist beauty salon insurance through Ripe 

If you’re a salon owner, insuring your beauty salon can help provide financial protection and peace of mind should the worst happen.

Through Ripe, specialist salon insurance provides up to £10m Public and Products Liability cover and up to £5m Treatment Risk cover as standard to protect you against third-party claims for injury or property damage.

You can also choose additional cover options, such as Employers' Liability and Buildings cover, so you're only ever paying for the cover you need. 

Learn more about how we can help here, or get an instant online quote.