4.1 Cleaning, Antiseptics, Disinfection & Sterilization
Key Takeaways
K.A.R. 28-24-1(c) defines clean as free of visible debris after washing with soap or detergent and water, and says clean does not mean disinfected.
To disinfect is to use a disinfectant on a clean, nonporous item or surface to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi (K.A.R. 28-24-1(f)).
A Kansas disinfectant must be EPA-registered and bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal. It may be a liquid concentrate, wipe, spray or foam (K.A.R. 28-24-1(g)).
Antiseptics are safe for skin but not strong enough to decontaminate implements. A product labeled "sanitizer" is a cleaner, not a disinfectant.
Sterilization destroys all living microorganisms, including spores, by steam autoclave or dry heat. Ultraviolet light is not acceptable sterilization in Kansas (K.A.R. 28-24-1(s)).
Quick Answer: Kansas regulations define three levels of decontamination. Clean means free of visible debris after soap or detergent and water, and it does not mean disinfected. Disinfect means applying an EPA-registered, bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal disinfectant to a clean, nonporous item or surface. Sterilization kills all microorganisms, including spores, using a steam autoclave or dry-heat sterilizer. Ultraviolet light does not count. Antiseptics are for skin and are not strong enough for implements. You always clean before you disinfect.
The Kansas Definitions (K.A.R. 28-24-1)
| Term | Kansas definition | What it means at the station |
|---|---|---|
| Clean (c) | Free of visible or surface debris through washing with soap and water or detergent and water. Clean shall not mean disinfected | Scrub nippers at the sink before they go into disinfectant |
| Disinfect (f) | Use a disinfectant on a clean, nonporous item or surface to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi | Immersion, spray, wipe or foam, following the label |
| Disinfectant (g) | An EPA-registered disinfecting solution that is bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal. Forms: liquid concentrate, wipe, spray or foam | Check the label for an EPA registration number and all three claims |
| Bleach solution (a) | Chlorine bleach used for disinfection, mixed, stored and used according to the manufacturer's instructions | See section 4.2 |
| Sterilization (s) | Makes an instrument free of all living microorganisms by steam autoclave or dry-heat sterilizer. UV light is not acceptable | Required for electrolysis instruments. Nail salons generally rely on disinfection |
| Single-use (r) | An item that is porous and cannot be disinfected, regardless of manufacturer designation | Files, buffers, orangewood sticks and similar items are used once and discarded |
Level 1: Cleaning (Sanitation)
Cleaning, which older textbooks call sanitation or sanitizing, is the physical removal of dirt, debris, oils, dust and some microorganisms. You use soap or detergent, water and friction, such as a clean nail brush. It lowers the number of germs but does not kill them reliably. It is still a mandatory first step, because:
- debris physically shields microbes from the disinfectant;
- organic matter such as skin, blood, oils and nail dust can weaken or use up the disinfectant;
- Kansas defines "disinfect" as acting on a clean item or surface.
Tip
On the exam, a product labeled "sanitizer" is a cleaner, not a disinfectant. NTN uses this in its own sample question. Only a product whose label shows EPA registration and bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal claims meets the Kansas definition of disinfectant.
Hand cleaning is also cleaning. K.A.R. 28-24-2 requires practitioners to clean their hands, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, before and after each consumer service. The CDC recommends a sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol. Soap and water is better when hands are visibly soiled.
Antiseptics
Antiseptics reduce microorganisms on skin. Examples are antiseptic hand washes, antiseptic sprays for clients' hands and feet, and wound antiseptics. They:
- are safe for skin;
- are not strong enough to decontaminate implements or surfaces, and are not a substitute for a disinfectant;
- are used in the Kansas blood exposure procedure to clean the injured area before bandaging (K.A.R. 28-24-3(d)(3)).
Antiseptic and hand-sanitizer products are regulated as drugs by the FDA. Disinfectants are registered with the EPA. Kansas defines "FDA" and "EPA" in K.A.R. 28-24-1 because both agencies matter at the station.
Level 2: Disinfection
Disinfection destroys most microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, on nonporous surfaces. It does not reliably kill bacterial spores. In a Kansas nail salon it is the required standard for:
- nonelectrical instruments: nippers, pushers, clippers, tweezers, metal files, rasps and curettes (K.A.R. 28-24-10);
- electrical instruments and e-file bits and mandrels (K.A.R. 28-24-11);
- pedicure equipment (K.A.R. 28-24-9);
- surfaces that touch consumers (K.A.R. 28-24-5).
Disinfectants are not for skin. Never use them as a hand wash or put them on a client's nail or wound. Doing so can burn the skin, and it does not meet the label's intended use.
Porous = single-use. Disinfectant cannot reach inside porous materials. Kansas treats every porous item as single-use regardless of what the manufacturer says (K.A.R. 28-24-1(r)). A "sanitizable" emery board is still single-use in Kansas.
Level 3: Sterilization
Sterilization destroys all microbial life, including spores. Kansas recognizes only two methods:
- Steam autoclave: 15–20 minutes at 250°F and 15–20 psi.
- Dry-heat sterilizer: 60 minutes at 340°F or 120 minutes at 320°F.
These values come from K.A.R. 28-24-12, which covers electrolysis instruments. That rule also requires FDA-approved equipment, chemical indicators and monthly spore testing with a log. Nail technicians are not required to sterilize implements. Know the definition anyway, and remember that UV light is not sterilization. UV "sanitizer" cabinets may be used only to store implements that are already clean and disinfected.
Choosing the Right Level
| Item or situation | Correct level |
|---|---|
| Client's hands before a manicure | Antiseptic hand cleanser or washing |
| Your hands between clients | Soap and water, or alcohol-based hand sanitizer (K.A.R. 28-24-2) |
| Metal pusher after a service | Clean with soap or detergent and water, rinse, then disinfect |
| Emery board after a service | Discard (porous = single-use) |
| Manicure table between clients | Clean, then disinfect per label contact time |
| Wound on a client's finger | Antiseptic, then a sterile bandage (never disinfectant) |
| Electrolysis needle | Single-use or sterilized (electrologists only) |
A distributor offers a salon a product labeled "sanitizer" for use on nail implements. How should a Kansas technician classify it?
As an EPA-registered disinfectant, because sanitizers kill all bacteria, viruses and fungi
As a cleaner, not a disinfectant, so it cannot replace an EPA-registered bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal disinfectant
As a sterilizer that can replace an autoclave
As an antiseptic, suitable for disinfecting implements after blood exposure
Which statement about antiseptics is correct?
They are strong enough to decontaminate implements.
They are the approved product for disinfecting pedicure equipment.
They must be EPA-registered as bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal.
They are safe for skin but are not strong enough to decontaminate implements.
Under K.A.R. 28-24-1, which method is NOT an acceptable form of sterilization?
A steam autoclave used according to the manufacturer's directions
A dry-heat sterilizer used according to the manufacturer's directions
An ultraviolet (UV) light cabinet
Prepackaged single-use sterile instruments from a supplier
A manufacturer labels its padded nail buffer "sanitizable and reusable." How must a Kansas technician treat it?
As single-use, because Kansas defines any porous item that cannot be disinfected as single-use regardless of the manufacturer's designation
As multi-use, because the manufacturer's label controls
As multi-use if it is sprayed with alcohol between clients
As multi-use if it is used only on the same client each visit
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.