2.2 Minnesota Infection Control: Hand Washing, Cleaning, Disinfecting, Sterilizing & Storage
Key Takeaways
Before any service, licensees must wash hands with soap and water; a hand rub with at least 60% alcohol substitutes only when hands have no lotion, product or visible soil, and gloves or wipes never substitute (Minn. R. 2105.0375, subp. 2).
Only hospital-level, EPA-registered disinfectants labeled bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal may be used, alcohol is not an acceptable disinfectant, and bleach must carry an EPA hospital-level registration (subp. 4).
Tools are cleaned first, then fully submerged in a covered container for the label contact time, then rinsed and dried; solutions are mixed daily unless the label says otherwise and discarded when debris is visible.
Tools designed to puncture or invade the skin must be sterilized; autoclaves need independent-lab spore testing at least every 30 days, with records kept 36 months (subp. 4a).
Disinfected items are stored in clean, closed containers, cupboards or drawers, never in plastic or paper bags unless sterilized, and used items go into covered containers labeled "used" (subp. 6).
Why this section matters
Practice Requirements is the largest state-exam domain (45%, about 13 or 14 questions), and infection control requirements (Minn. R. 2105.0375) is the single most-cited rule in the outline. Safety and infection control is also 25% of the general theory exam and 15% of the written practical. Minnesota's rule is more specific than the textbooks, so learn the Minnesota version.
Who is responsible (subp. 1)
Every licensee, including the salon owner and the DLSM, is responsible for following the infection-control rules. Any item, tool or piece of equipment on the premises that could be used for a regulated service is covered, even if it is meant for personal use.
Hand washing (subp. 2)
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry with a single-service paper or cloth towel or an air dryer before every service.
- An alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol may replace hand washing only when hands are free of lotions, ointments, product and visible soil.
- Gloves and hand wipes are never a substitute for hand washing. Before putting on gloves, wash the hands and wrists.
Cleaning (subp. 3)
Cleaning always comes first. Remove visible debris and disposable parts, wash the item with soap and water or a cleaning agent, rinse thoroughly and dry before disinfecting. Surfaces may be wiped with a cleaning agent before being disinfected. A cleaning agent moved out of its original container needs a legible label with its name and use instructions (unless the original container with instructions is available).
Disinfecting (subp. 4)
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Product | Hospital-level, EPA-registered disinfectant labeled bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal |
| Not allowed | Alcohol is not an acceptable disinfecting agent. Bleach is allowed only if the product has an EPA registration for hospital-level disinfection |
| Pre-cleaning | Items must be cleaned under subp. 3 first |
| Label directions | Follow the manufacturer's contact time, safety precautions, dilution and disposal directions; sprays and wipes only where the rule allows them |
| Labeling | Solutions are labeled with the disinfectant name and any dilution |
| Mixing | Use measuring devices for concentrates; unless the label says otherwise, mix daily and dispose at the end of the day |
| Contamination | Dispose immediately if visible debris is present |
| Immersion | All surfaces, including handles, fully submerged in a covered container for the full contact time |
| After immersion | Rinse to remove pesticide residue, then dry before storage |
| Containers | Covered, large enough to submerge items fully, and enough of them for all tools |
| Protection | Wear gloves or use tongs to avoid skin contact with disinfectant |
Note
Minnesota does not set a single contact time such as "10 minutes." The correct contact time is whatever the EPA-registered product's label states. An exam answer that names a fixed number of minutes for every product is a trap.
Sterilizing (subp. 4a)
- Any tool or implement designed to puncture or invade the skin must be cleaned and then sterilized before reuse.
- Sterilizers (autoclaves, steam or dry heat, chemical vapor) must be registered and listed with the FDA and used as the manufacturer instructs.
- Autoclaves must be spore tested through an independent laboratory at least once a month, never more than 30 days apart. After a positive spore test the autoclave may not be used until a negative result is received.
- Keep a log of each use, all test samples and results, and maintenance for 36 months at the salon.
- Store sterilized items in the pouch or container in which they were sterilized, marked with the batch number and sterilization date that match the log.
Autoclave packaging of tools is prohibited unless the salon actually uses an autoclave and follows these testing rules (Minn. R. 2105.0377, item E).
Storage (subp. 6)
| Item | Correct handling |
|---|---|
| Disinfected tools | In clean, closed containers, cupboards or drawers, or on a clean towel and covered with a clean towel or drape, never touching used or undisinfected items |
| Storage containers | Solid sides and lids; cleaned and disinfected weekly and before use if soiled (sprays or wipes only if too large to submerge) |
| Bags and wraps | Plastic or paper bags or sealed wrapping may not be used for disinfected items unless the item was sterilized |
| Tools set out before a client arrives | Placed on and covered with a clean cloth or paper towel, discarded after the service |
| After each service | Tools, linens and other non-electrical items go into covered, closed containers labeled "used", or are cleaned and disinfected or sterilized immediately |
Only cleaned, disinfected or sterilized and properly stored tools may be used on a client, and the salon must keep enough disinfected tools, single-use supplies and disinfectant for its service volume (subp. 7, items A and B).
Laundered items (subp. 8)
- Each towel, robe and linen used to cover or protect a client is used once, then laundered in a washing machine with detergent and hot water, dried on hot, and stored in a clean, covered container.
- Plastic or nylon capes and aprons may be machine washed and dried on any setting, or disinfected with a spray disinfectant.
- Used or soiled towels, linens and capes are kept in closed containers labeled "used."
- Steamed towels are washed with detergent and bleach, dried hot, handled with washed hands or gloves, prepared fresh daily, and removed and laundered at the end of the day (subp. 15, item G).
Warning
Common traps: storing disinfected nippers in a zip-top bag (not allowed unless sterilized), using 70% alcohol as a tool disinfectant (not allowed), and leaving a tool soaking in an uncovered jar (must be covered).
Which product may NOT be used as a disinfectant for implements in a Minnesota salon?
A bleach product that carries an EPA hospital-level disinfectant registration
70% isopropyl alcohol
An EPA-registered hospital-level quaternary ammonium product labeled bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal
An EPA-registered hospital-level accelerated hydrogen peroxide product
How often must a Minnesota salon's autoclave be spore tested, and how long are the records kept?
Weekly; records kept until the next inspection
Only after the autoclave is repaired
At least monthly, never more than 30 days apart; records kept 36 months
Once a year by the manufacturer's service technician, with records kept for 12 months after each visit
A nail technician wants to store disinfected metal pushers in sealed plastic bags. Is this allowed?
Yes, if the bags are labeled "clean"
Yes, plastic bags are the preferred storage method
No, metal implements must be stored in disinfectant solution until use
No, plastic or paper bags may be used only for items that were sterilized
When may a Minnesota licensee use an alcohol-based hand rub instead of washing hands before a service?
Only when the hand rub is at least 60% alcohol and the hands have no lotion, product or visible soil
Never; only gloves or hand wipes may replace hand washing in a Minnesota salon
Only between services on the same client
Any time gloves will be worn for the service, because the rule treats gloves as a substitute for washing
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