Wahl's Top Tips for Nailing Hygiene and PPE Rules in Barbershops

For the last few months, barbershops across the UK have been adapting to the ‘new normal’ which means advanced hygiene measures and mandatory PPE. They have become essential for safety and it looks like they’re here to stay for the foreseeable, so have you considered solutions that minimise waste?

Sustainable hygiene products

Now is a perfect time to examine the short-term measures you’ve put in place and consider how you could reduce waste in the long run. The following article shows how you can follow the rules and still be mindful of the waste you’re producing. Remember, keeping good hygiene standards doesn’t mean everything has to be disposable!

Personal hygiene

Masks and face shields are essential for now. Rather than using disposable masks, invest in a few that can be washed and re-used. Using branded masks is a great idea for exposure and creating a uniformed look for the shop. Instead of opting for gloves that need to be disposed of after each client (that’s a lot of gloves!), ensure you’re thoroughly sanitising with Wahl Antibacterial Hand Gel.

“Rather than using gloves, we feel that regular handwashing and sanitisers are safer and more practical,” explains Joth Davies, Savills Barbers owner and Wahl Education and Artistic Team Member.

Section and chairs

All surfaces should be sanitised after a client. A surface wipe may seem like the easiest option to do this quickly, however, you can opt for a bacteria-killing surface spray, like the Wahl Hygienic Spray, which is fast-drying and kills up to 99.99% of bacteria.

Tools and equipment

Your tools can be cleaned quickly and thoroughly between clients with Wahl Hygienic Spray and Blade Ice, again there’s no need for wipes here.

“Using Hygiene Spray on your blades before each use guarantees the hygiene level to all your clients. Simply spray and leave for 15 minutes to kill bacteria and viruses,” says Sam Campagna, Alternative Barbering Co and Wahl Education and Artistic Team Member.

To avoid using disposable capes, purchase some quality capes that you wash on a high temperature with a good detergent – this is enough to help kill bacteria and viruses.

“We’ve given our clients the option of a disposable or freshly washed cape, most clients are choosing the washed cape,” adds Rick Roberts, Rick Roberts Salon owner and Wahl Style Team Member. “They’re more comfortable for the client and it helps us provide the experience we want for our clients.”