3.2 Cleaning, Disinfection & Sterilization
Key Takeaways
- NIC-style items treat removal of visible debris as cleaning; disinfection is the later chemical step on an already cleaned, rinsed surface.
- An Oklahoma wet sanitizer is a large pan-type container for full immersion in EPA-approved disinfectant — disinfection equipment despite the word sanitizer.
- OAC 175:10-7-5 requires soap/water or a cleaning agent, a plain-water rinse, then EPA-registered disinfectant with the manufacturer's full contact time.
- OAC 175:10-7-6: change immersion liquid daily or sooner if visibly contaminated; keep containers covered; label secondary containers.
- UV light boxes for sanitation are prohibited. An autoclave, if used, sterilizes only after disinfection and needs periodic testing and maintenance.
The NIC outline asks you to identify the purpose of, and differentiate among, sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization. A published NIC sample item is blunt: debris is removed from tools and implements by cleaning, not by disinfection or sterilization. Oklahoma's rule book still uses older equipment names — wet sanitizer and dry sanitizer — that can trap a candidate who thinks "sanitizer" always means "the lowest level only." This OpenExamPrep section teaches both vocabularies so you are not graded on a synonym.
Four Words You Must Keep Separate
Cleaning matches Oklahoma's definition of "Clean": removal of surface and/or visible debris with soap, detergent, or a chemical cleaner, followed by a clean water rinse. Hair, skin, product, and oil left on a tool will block disinfectant. If debris remains, the chemical never reaches the surface. Dropping a dirty comb into the soak pan contaminates the pan; it does not disinfect the comb.
Sanitation, in many textbooks, means reducing the number of pathogens on a surface to a safer level — for example, washing hands. Oklahoma still labels the immersion pan a wet sanitizer even though the liquid inside must be an EPA-approved disinfectant. The pan is disinfection equipment. Do not tell an inspector you sanitized shears by waving them under a UV lamp.
Disinfection is the chemical process that makes a non-porous item safe for use by killing or denaturing bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Oklahoma's definition is explicit: follow the manufacturer's label for concentration and contact time. UV light is not acceptable disinfection. Contact time means the item or surface stays completely immersed or visibly wet for the full time on the label. Shortening contact time because the lobby is full is the same as not disinfecting.
Sterilization is eradication of all microbial life, including spores, using heat, pressure, steam, or a chemical sterilant. Oklahoma permits an autoclave only after disinfection, and only if you perform periodic testing and maintenance according to the manufacturer's instructions (OAC 175:10-7-5(i)). Autoclaving a dirty, hair-caked tool is not sterilization — it is baking soil onto metal.
| Category | What it does | Oklahoma equipment or rule name | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Removes visible debris with soap/water or cleaner, then rinse | First mandatory step in OAC 175:10-7-5(b)-(c) | Does not kill listed pathogens by itself |
| Sanitation (textbook use) | Reduces microbes | Handwashing; also the Board's "wet sanitizer" name for a disinfectant pan | Does not replace EPA disinfection of implements |
| Disinfection | Kills or denatures bacteria, viruses, and fungi on nonporous items | Wet sanitizer pan; EPA sprays and wipes; labeled secondary containers | Does not reliably destroy bacterial spores |
| Sterilization | Destroys all microbial life including spores | Autoclave after disinfection, with periodic testing | Does not skip cleaning or disinfection |
Oklahoma's Mandatory Order: Clean, Rinse, Then Disinfect
OAC 175:10-7-5 is a sequence, not a menu. Every precaution shall be taken to prevent infection by disinfecting all tools. All items shall be cleaned by removing all visible debris with soap/water or a cleaning agent. Items shall be rinsed thoroughly in plain water. Only then do they go into disinfectant.
The wet sanitizer is a large, pan-type container of plastic, enamel, stainless steel, or rubber. Board definitions add that it is a covered pan containing a liquid chemical disinfecting agent. Items shall be fully immersed in an EPA-approved disinfectant prepared according to the manufacturer's directions. Immersion contact time is the manufacturer's full contact time — not "until the next client sits down," and not "until the bubbles look strong."
Oklahoma also allows spray and wipe methods when immersion is not the right tool (electrical housings, shears, large surfaces):
- Spray: place the already-clean item on a clean surface and spray until thoroughly saturated. All surfaces must stay visibly moist for the full contact time listed on the label for all pathogens listed on the label.
- EPA-registered wipes: wipe all surfaces and keep them visibly moist for the full label contact time.
- Combs may be disinfected in a cylinder jar by immersing in EPA-approved disinfectant for full contact time.
Electrical items with plastic or metal guards, clipper blades, drill bits, and removable parts: remove visible debris first, then use an EPA-registered spray or wipe for full contact time, and allow to air dry. Disinfect the tool housing too. Store on a stand, hook, or clean towel, covered by a clean towel. Shears and razors: wipe visible debris, then EPA-registered disinfectant spray or wipe, keeping the surface wet for full contact time (OAC 175:10-7-6(l)-(m)). To minimize corrosion of metal instruments, Oklahoma also allows immersing and wiping with an EPA-approved disinfectant or spraying with an approved oil-base disinfectant, then storing in a cabinet or closed container free from contamination between patrons (OAC 175:10-7-6(b)).
Mix, Cover, Label, Change, and Store
OAC 175:10-7-6 limits you to EPA-registered disinfectants used for their intended purpose according to the product label. Mix as directed. Change all disinfection immersion liquid daily or sooner if it is visibly contaminated. Keep disinfectant containers covered at all times. Keep the manufacturer's label for concentrate available; if the bottle is emptied, it stays available until a replacement bottle is on hand. Secondary containers — spray bottles, tubs, jars — must be labeled to indicate the chemical inside. Dispose of disinfectant under local, state, and federal requirements.
UV light boxes for sanitation purposes are prohibited. FDA-banned products shall not be used. Customer-contact items including neck rests, arm rests, and seats must be cleaned and disinfected between customers.
Once properly cleaned and disinfected, all multi-use items must be stored in a clean, covered container marked "clean" or "disinfected" (OAC 175:10-7-6(n)). OAC 175:10-7-5(j) also requires storage in a dry/closed cabinet, drawer, or other closed/covered container without fumes. The Board's definition of a dry sanitizer is that clean, dry, closed cabinet, drawer, chest, or container used to store implements after wet-sanitizer disinfection (or another approved method for metal implements) — without fumigant. Establishments must have at least one dry and one wet sanitizer in use (OAC 175:10-5-2). A UV cabinet is not a substitute dry sanitizer.
Approved disinfectant options in OAC 175:10-7-6(o) are:
- An EPA-registered bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal disinfectant approved for beauty salon, salon, barber, or spa settings, mixed and timed per the label.
- EPA-registered sodium hypochlorite 5.25% or higher (household/disinfecting bleach) with disinfection directions, diluted as instructed, with a 5-minute contact time. Bleach must be active (not expired) with a manufacture date of less than 6 months prior to use.
Other EPA products keep whatever contact time is printed on that label. Do not memorize a fake "standard 10 minutes" for every quat. Do memorize Oklahoma's bleach five-minute rule and the six-month manufacture-date limit when bleach is the chosen option.
OpenExamPrep reminder: "wet sanitizer" on an Oklahoma inspection is the immersion pan of EPA disinfectant. "Cleaning" on a NIC-style item is debris removal. If those two sentences are the only facts you carry into the written exam, you will still beat the two most common vocabulary traps in this domain.
Debris is removed from tools and implements using which procedure?
Which statement about ultraviolet light in Oklahoma schools and establishments is correct?
How often must Oklahoma disinfection immersion liquid be changed?
In Oklahoma rules, a wet sanitizer is which of the following?