Unit 1 Lesson 3: Maintain Tools and Equipment

(MT)

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Essential Questions 3

Reach our Goals! 3

Springboard 4

Learn about It! 5

Before and After a Nail Care Activity 5
Storage of Tools and Equipment 12

Check Up 19

Skill Enhancer 21

Did You Know? 22

Introspect: Self-Evaluation 24

Bibliography 25

Glossary 26

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GRADE 7/8

Maintain Tools and Equipment (MT)

Introduction

Figure No.1 Taking care of your tools and equipment

For successful nail care activity, one must be able to prepare, sanitize, sterilize, and maintain
the different tools and equipment needed. Executing proper maintenance of tools and
equipment will enable you to perform any nail care services efficiently. In this lesson, you will
learn the different techniques in taking care of your tools and equipment which include
cleaning, sterilizing, sanitizing, and storing. Also, understanding the importance of maintaining
your tools and equipment will help you appreciate its functions and uses and be able to
maximize each tool and equipment you have on hand.

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Essential Questions

Reach our Goals!

In this lesson, you should be able to:

● understand the importance of having
well-maintained tools and equipment;
● identify the proper procedures and techniques in
sanitizing and sterilizing tools and equipment;
● classify non-functional tools and equipment;
● apply proper cleaning practices of tools and
equipment;
● employ inventory of tools and equipment; and
● illustrate appropriate storing of tools and equipment.

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 Springboard
Clean or not Clean?
In your neighborhood salon, observe the different tools and equipment around the area. Look
for the following tools and equipment listed below. Determine whether the tools and
equipment are clean or not. Answer the following questions below.
1. clipper
2. foot spa machine
3. cuticle pusher
4. nail file
5. cuticle scissors
6. nail brush
7. manicure tray
8. finger bowl
9. orangewood stick
10. callous remover

Figure 2: cluttered vs well-maintained beauty salon

1. Based on your observations, how important is it to keep a beauty salon clean and
well-maintained?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. What are the most common clutter or waste produced in a beauty salon?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3. In your opinion, what should be the first step in maintaining and keeping the
cleanliness in a beauty salon?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

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 Learn about It!

As a client walks into a beauty salon, he/she expects to be given quality service. As a nail
technician, it is part of your responsibility to make sure that all the tools and equipment you
will need are ready for action. In this section, you will learn how to prepare for a nail activity
from start to finish.

Figure 3. Nail Technician in Action

Before and After a Nail Care Activity

It is easier to fulfill your client’s requests when it comes to nail care if you have carefully
prepared and arranged all the tools and equipment you will be needing. The following steps
are considered as standard operating procedures in beauty salons to make sure that all
services are technically pleasing and hygienic as well.

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❖ Sanitizing and Sterilizing
It is not enough that what you are using looks clean. It has to be sterile as well. There
are a lot of bacteria and viruses that are invisible to the naked eye. These unidentifiable
microorganisms can cause diseases and infections if not taken care of right away.

Sanitizing is the act of partly getting rid of harmful microorganisms from surfaces such
as the tools and equipment you will be using during a service.

Figure 4: Proper Sanitization Procedure

How to sanitize prepare equipment for sanitization

❖ Get the disinfectant and read the instructions of use carefully.
❖ Follow the directions on how to measure and mix the disinfectant.
❖ Soak a clean cloth with the solution.
❖ Using the clean cloth, wipe the surface of the equipment.
❖ With a paper towel, wipe the equipment until dry
❖ Throw away any waste produced

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Sterilizing on the other hand, gets rid of all the harmful microorganisms lingering on
your tools and equipment.

Both of these procedures call for several agents. For physical agents which are more
natural, you can use high or low temperature, radiation, and filtration. You can also
make use of chemical agents such as disinfectants, antiseptics, and other applicable
solutions.

Figure 5: Proper Sterilization Procedure

How to prepare tools for sterilization

❖ With hot water with a little bit of soap solution, soak the tools to get rid of any
dirt on the surface
❖ Rinse the tools with clean water
❖ Soak the tools in 70-90% alcohol solution for at least 20 minutes.
❖ Remove tools from the alcohol solution and use a paper towel to wipe them dry.
❖ Place in the dry sterilizer until ready.

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 Figure 6: inspecting tools

❖ Identifying Non-functional Tools and Equipment

As mentioned at the start of this lesson, eager preparation of your tools and equipment
is of utmost importance. Making sure that each tool and equipment can be used
properly ensures smooth operations in the beauty salon. However, there will be
instances that several tools or equipment may become faulty and defective due to
improper use, inadequate maintenance, or due to its long years of service.
Non-functional tools should be separated from the functional ones and be repaired if
needed or as a final resort, thrown out.

Checking to make sure that all your tools and equipment are functional and able to
perform according to their use allows you as a nail technician to guarantee the safety of
your clients by preventing accidents from happening.

❖ Cleaning the Tools and Equipment

Based on the tools or equipment you are cleaning, there are suggested techniques and
practices to get rid of any impurities or microorganisms present.

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Tools
Tools, whether plastic or metal, should be sanitized and disinfected before and after a
nail care activity. Since it is directly used on the client’s nails and skin, it is important
that all tools are sterile and kept in a covered and clean container or bag to keep away
from any microorganism that may cause diseases and infections.

Wooden tools such as nail files and buffers cannot be sanitized due to its porous
material. These should be thrown out and discarded after use to avoid contaminating
the other tools and equipment in the salon.

Figure 8: Proper Cleaning of tools

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Equipment
Electrical equipment such as hand and foot spa
machines must be wiped clean and disinfected
before and after use. Using any liquid disinfecting
solution, fill the machines and leave the solutions
overnight or at least 5-10 hours. Drain the solution
once the machines are thoroughly sanitized.

Figure 9. cleaning the foot spa machine

https://www.massagexpert.net/best-foot-spa-reviews/

Fixtures
Permanent fixtures in a salon such as table tops, chairs, door handles, and mirrors
must also be cleaned and disinfected due to constant handling of the staff and clients
on a daily basis. Millions of microorganisms might contaminate and cause infections if
not handled promptly.

The floor, which receives the dead skin spreaded throughout the day must be mopped
and sanitized to not spread any contaminants.

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 Figure 11: Disinfecting Permanent Fixtures

Try It!
Believe it or Not. Determine if the following statements are true or false. Write T on
space given if the statement is true.

https://www.freevector.com/right-and-wrong-icons

________ 1. Sanitizing gets rid of all the microorganisms present on the tools and
equipment.
________ 2. Plastic and metal tools should be kept in enclosed containers or bags after
sterilization to keep away from contamination.
________ 3. Tools that are made from porous materials need to be disinfected to get rid
of any impurities and be reused for the next nail care activity.
________ 4. Non-functional tools are still safe to be used on clients.
________ 5. Electrical equipment is prone to short circuits if not regularly inspected.

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Storage of Tools and Equipment
Your tools and equipment will not always be in tip top shape if you don’t take measures to
make sure they are. As essential cleaning and disinfecting your tools and equipment are, it is
also important for you to know how to store them properly. Improper storage, even the
cleanest tools and equipment, may result to breakage which is a loss on your part. This
section will help you learn the different steps to take to ensure proper storage of your tools
and equipment.

Figure 12: Organize storage in a beauty salon

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● Inspecting the Tools and Equipment
As a nail technician, it is advisable that from time to time you are able to inspect the
tools and equipment you are using. Determining the current state of your tools and
equipment helps you prevent accidents during a nail service. By inspecting, you will be
able to identify the tools that are for repair, replacement, and disposal.

Tools that are rusty and faulty must not be used until repaired. The same goes for
electrical equipment. Make sure to check that no wires are exposed or cut to avoid
short circuits which may cause fire.

Figure 13: Inspecting faulty tools and equipment

● Inventory of Tools and Equipment

In everyday beauty salon operations, keeping a well-stocked inventory of supplies,
tools, and equipment is vital. It assures efficient work flow and can be used as a way of
monitoring the demand of the salon’s services.

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 Figure 14: Conduct of inventory

Tools
Depending on the material, tools that are made of metal and plastic (e.g. finger bowls)
can be reused most of the time. Proper execution of sterilization and sanitization
techniques must be done before storing it in an enclosed container or bag to be kept
sterile for the next client.
For tools made of porous materials like nail files and brushes are easily prone to
bacteria. Unlike metal tools, porous or tools made of wood cannot be sterilized as it will
only absorb the liquid solution and ruin it. It is advised that these types of tools should
be discarded and not reused.

Equipment
Equipment such as hand and foot spa machines are in needed of disinfecting. You must
also check for any loose wires and screws which might cause accidents or fires. If these
are present, the equipment must be repaired immediately to make sure that it won’t
cause danger to the clients and staff of the salon. It should be stored in a cool, dry, and
enclosed place.

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 Supplies
Supplies and materials used in nail care services are essential as they are considered
the star of the show. For chemical supplies and products such as nail polish, several
colors and types need to be in stock to cater to the different styles the client may want
to avail.

Used products for nail treatments and other chemical supplies should be labeled
before storing in a cool dry place away from any fire or heat source.

● Storing Tools and Equipment Safely

After each service, all tools and equipment are to be kept in storage for safekeeping.
Storing the different tools and equipment depends on the materials each are made of.

Chemicals/Solutions (nail polish, etc.)

All liquid consumables used in every nail care activity must be stored in a cool, dry place
away from any heat. Chemicals/solutions are mostly, if not all, flammable and
combustible. Therefore, it is important to store it away from any heat or flame source.

Metal Tools and Implements

Nail care tools made of metals like clippers and pushers are to be sterilized or sanitized
before and after use. Make sure to wipe off any excess moisture from sterilization
which might cause rusting. These types of tools are ideally stored in sterile bags or
containers with locking mechanisms to ensure its cleanliness for the next client it will be
used on.

Equipment
Electric equipment like hand and foot spa machines must be disinfected before and
after use. Since these are wired and electric, these should be wiped off and kept dry in
storage to avoid damaging its wiring which might cause fire or explosion.

Supplies
Supplies that are unused should be kept and stored in a clean container to avoid leaks
and breakage. If used, they should be disposed in a closed waste container to avoid
contaminating the unused supplies.

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 Towels/Linens
The same with the other tools, towels and linens that are used need to be properly
laundered and disinfected before storing. It should be kept in a closed container after
used.

Unused towels and linens are kept in clean storage units that are dust-proof and
enclosed to safeguard until use.

Try It!
What’s in Store? Answer the following questions below:

1. In the given spaces, write down the proper techniques and procedures in storing the
different tools, equipment, and supplies used in nail care services.

Item Cleaning Procedure

Hand spa machine

pumice stone

foot file

cuticle scissors

nail polish

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 2. Is wiping enough to clean the foot spa machine?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is the difference between inventory and inspection?

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Why is it important to do an inventory of the tools and equipment?

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Should inspecting of tools and equipment be done before or after a nail care service?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Maintenance of the Beauty Salon

In a beauty salon that handles sensitive parts of the body, which are the skin and nails,
making sure that the place is well-maintained and regularly cleaned are essential. A clean
beauty salon attracts more guests and assures them that quality services are offered. This
section will show you how to properly maintain the cleanliness and orderliness in a beauty
salon.

Figure 15: Well-maintained salon

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 ● Ventilation and Lighting
Good ventilation and lighting are necessities in a beauty salon. With all the chemicals
and solutions being used, a well-ventilated salon prevents the staff and clients from
inhaling all the chemical smell which are harmful to the health. A well-lighted workplace
helps the nail technician concentrate on the services they are doing thus lessening the
chances of an accident occurring.

● Fixtures and Decorations

Table tops, door knobs, and floors must be regularly swept and mopped to avoid
spreading any dirt to other parts of the salon/workplace. These should be sanitized and
disinfected as well to get rid of all the microorganisms. Curtains must be regularly
laundered to avoid accumulating dust when hanged.

● Rest Rooms
All restrooms must be sanitized and cleaned from time to time to avoid the spread of
contamination. With all the bodily fluids involved, it can cause widespread disease if not
contained early.

● Linens and Towels

Towels and linens used the staff and clients must always be cleaned and laundered.
Reusing old and used towels could cause infection to the person using it.

● Waste Management
All waste products and materials must be collected and discarded in a covered waste
bin or container with a bin liner for easier disposal after service hours.

Try It!
Say it one more time. Read each statement below. Write your answer on the space
provided.

1. What do you think is the part of the beauty salon that accumulates the most amount of dirt
and waste?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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2. Why should a beauty salon be well-ventilated?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. How should the waste produced during a nail care service be disposed?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. How does good lighting prevent accidents during a nail care service?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Is it a good idea to share linens and towels between clients? Explain your answer.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Check Up

Read the instructions for each part carefully. Write your answers on the spaces provided.

Identification. Identify the terms being defined in each statement.

1. It is the cleaning method that kills all the harmful microorganisms.
2. It is the process of introducing unwanted elements into a pure substance.
3. It is a type of chemical agent that is used to kill harmful microorganisms.
4. It is the cleaning method that kills some of the harmful microorganisms.
5. It is the act of examining of an entity or thing.

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 True or False. Determine whether the statement is true or false.
1. All tools and equipment can be sterilized.
2. Chemical substances should be stored in a dry and cool place.
3. Linens and towels can be reused as long as they are properly laundered.
4. There is a risk of contamination if tools and equipment are not sterilized.
5. Restrooms are the cleanest part of the beauty salon.

Essay. Read the questions below and give a brief answer.

1. During a nail service, your clipper broke while cutting the client’s nail. The client
became irritated because of this. What will you do?
______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
2. It was a day full of clients in the salon. You also have a full booking the next day.
What is the first thing you will do to make sure all tools and equipment are
available?
______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. The nail technician was preparing for a client. Since he/she was in a hurry he/she
decided to just wipe down the foot spa machine needed for the service. What
was the nail technician’s mistake?
______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
4. A client was playing with the bag filled with sterilized tools. He/She accidentally
dropped it and it popped open. What should you do?
______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
5. While doing a client’s nails, the power went out, leaving your salon with no light.
What will you do?
______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

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 Skill Enhancer

Nail Care in a flash

GOAL
Make necessary preparations for a nail care activity
ROLE
nail technician
AUDIENCE
client in a nail salon
SITUATION
A client called to avail of the salon’s nail care services. The client will be coming in an hour.
PRODUCT
A salon ready for an appointment with a client.

STANDARDS and CRITERIA [INDICATORS]

All necessary tools, equipment, and supplies must be sanitized and prepared for the nail care
activity. The salon must be clean and well-ventilated to make the client comfortable
throughout the session.

RUBRICS

1 3 5
Preparation of tools All tools and All tools and All tools and
and equipment for equipment needed equipment needed equipment are
nail service are prepared but are are prepared but not sanitized and stored
not sanitized all are sanitized in sterile containers
properly. properly. for the client’s use.

Maintenance of Some of the waste The waste produced The waste produced
beauty salon produced before and before and after the before and after the
after the service are service are identified service are identified
identified but not but not properly and properly

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 properly disposed. disposed. disposed.

Inventory of supplies All tools, equipment, Some tools, All tools, equipment,
and supplies are not equipment, and and supplies are
available during the supplies are not available during the
service. available during the service.
service.

Did You Know?

Salons are prone to different kinds of infections and diseases such as hepatitis,
bacterial and fungal infections, and nail instrument puncture due to improper sanitization of
tools, equipment, and facilities.

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 Wrap Up

Check the Perform basic Store nail care

condition of nail preventive and tools and
care tools and corrective equipment
equipment maintenance
Tools Identify Check for any faulty Store sterilized tools
non-functional tools and defective tools. in an enclosed
and perform container or bag to
necessary action to Defective tools protect from
repair any damage. should be repaired contamination.
or disposed
Sanitize and sterilize depending on the
metal and plastic state based on the
tools before and inspection.
after a nail care
service.

Equipment Electrical Check for any cut or Wipe clean and

equipment such as open wirings to store in a cool dry
hand and foot spa avoid short circuits. place away from
machines should be any heat source.
disinfected by filling
it with disinfecting
solution overnight
and wiped dry
afterwards.
Fixtures Wipe with Always sanitize
disinfecting solution permanent fixtures
sanitize fixtures and check for
such as door knobs repairs to avoid
and the floor. accidents.
Supplies Keep in designated Conduct inventory Used supplies

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 containers to avoid to monitor number should be kept in a
contamination. of supplies available container and
and needed for properly labelled
salon operations. away from any heat
source.

Unused supplies
must be stored in a
cool and dry place,
away from any heat
source to avoid fires
and explosions.

Introspect: Self-Evaluation

As we reach the end of this lesson, you should be knowledgeable and able to perform the
different procedures and techniques in taking care of the different tools and equipment in nail
care service. Below is a checklist to help you determine your current knowledge and skills
about the lesson. Check inside the box that best describe your self-assessment.

I still need to practice I can do some of the I can independently

Skills with maximum tasks but with perform the tasks
supervision. minimum properly.
supervision.

I can classify tools

and equipment.

I can identify the

proper procedures
in sanitizing and
sterilizing tools and
equipment.

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I can perform
inventory of all
tools, equipment,
and supplies in a
beauty salon.

I can determine
tools that are
non-functional.

I can properly store

the different tools
and equipment.

Bibliography

DEPED Beauty Care (Nail Care) Services Learning Module. PDF. Department of Education.
http://www.depedbataan.com/resources/9/k_to_12_nail_care_learning_module.pdf

Health and Fitness Cheat Sheet. “You’d be Surprised What Diseases You Can get from your
Nail Salon.” Accessed October 30, 2008.
https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/nail-care/health/5-nail-salon-infections.ht
m.

Merriam-Webster. Definition of Fixtures. Accessed October 30, 2008.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fixtures

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 Glossary

contamination - the process of making something useless due to combining unwanted

materials or elements

disinfectant - it is an agent used to free things from infection

implement - a tool used to interfere into a substance

inventory - the act of itemizing or listing down the quantity of available goods

nail technician - a person who is trained and skilled in performing different nail care
services

sanitize - to kill some harmful microorganisms present using a physical or

chemical agent

sterilize - to kill all harmful microorganisms present using a physical or

chemical agent

fixtures - permanent items present in a certain environment or setting

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