Salons and barbershops make a special kind of mess. Hair gets everywhere: into corners, under stations, along baseboards and somehow into the restroom. Product overspray coats mirrors and counters. Last time, with Cleaning Tips for Small Medical and Dental Offices, we talked about waiting rooms in medical offices. Salons have their own waiting areas, plus a whole lot more.
We clean salons and shops around Waxahachie, Midlothian and the south DFW area, and the routine looks like this.
Hair, hair everywhere
Stylists sweep between clients, but fine hair still escapes into every corner. A proper after-hours clean deals with it:
- Sweeping and vacuuming under and around every station.
- Getting hair out of corners and along baseboards with a vacuum attachment.
- Wiping chair bases, where hair collects in the hydraulic parts.
- Checking under shampoo bowls and behind dryers.
- Vacuuming entry mats, which catch hair on people's shoes.
Fine hair clippings in particular cling to everything, so a damp mop after sweeping helps catch what the broom misses.
Mirrors and stations
Mirrors are the centerpiece of a salon and they collect fingerprints, product overspray and water spots. Clean them streak-free every visit. Stations get wiped down on the surfaces, with care around tools and products. Stylists usually have their own system, so we clean around their setup rather than moving their things.
Hairspray overspray leaves a sticky film on mirrors, counters and even walls near stations. It takes a good degreasing cleaner and some patience to cut through. Left alone, that film grabs dust and hair, which is why salon walls near the stations sometimes look dingy even when everything else is clean. Wiping the walls around stations on a rotation keeps that from happening.
Don't forget the tool holders, product shelves and the cords from dryers and flat irons. They get dusty and sticky too, and they're right at eye level for every client in the chair.
Shampoo bowls and the wash area
The shampoo area deals with water, product and hair all day. Clean the bowls and faucets, wipe the chairs and the area around the bowls, and pay attention to hard water spots on fixtures. The floor around the bowls can get slippery with product residue, so it needs a thorough mop.
Color and product spills
Hair color stains fast on counters, floors and sinks. Fresh spills come up much easier than set ones, so stylists wiping spills right away helps a lot. On cleaning day, we work on any remaining marks with the right cleaner for the surface, but some old stains on porous surfaces may be permanent. Grout and unsealed concrete are the usual victims. If you're planning a remodel, a sealed or stain-resistant floor near the color station will save you a lot of heartache.
The restroom
Salon restrooms get used by both clients and staff, sometimes all day long. A full clean every visit covers toilets, sinks, mirrors, counters, touch points and floors. Keep paper, soap and liners stocked, and keep hair-covered capes and towels out of the restroom so hair doesn't spread there.
The front desk and waiting area
The front desk is where clients pay, book and chat. Wipe the counter, card reader and pens, dust retail shelves and products, and clean any glass display cases. The waiting area needs chairs wiped and floors done. If you sell retail products, a dusty shelf quietly tells clients those bottles have been sitting there a while. A quick dust of the shelves and the fronts of the bottles keeps the display looking fresh and actually helps it sell.
Salons go through a lot of towels and capes, and dirty laundry sitting in a hamper overnight can make the back room smell. Most salons have their own washer and dryer and handle laundry themselves. If you'd like help with laundry, folding or restocking towels, that can be added to your visit.
Laundry, towels and timing
Salons and barbershops often stay open late, so cleaning usually happens after the last client of the day. Some salons prefer early morning before opening. Whatever you pick, the same day and time each week keeps things simple. We bring our own supplies, and if your salon prefers certain products, we'll use those.
If your salon rents booths to independent stylists, decide up front who handles what. Usually the salon covers common areas, restrooms, the shampoo area and floors, while each stylist handles their own station and tools. Write it down so nobody assumes someone else took care of it.
Want your salon cleaned after closing?
Tell us how many stations you have and when you close, and we'll reply with a price, usually the same day.
Get a free quoteA clean salon sells itself
Clients notice a clean salon, and they notice a dirty one even faster. They are sitting in front of a mirror for an hour, with plenty of time to look around. Hair-free floors, clean mirrors and a spotless restroom make your space look as good as your work. For after-hours cleaning that fits your salon's schedule, see our office cleaning services.