Which surfaces must be disinfected prior to each client?

• A. Floors and waiting area chairs
• B. Shampoo bowls and manicure tables
• C. Trash cans and floors
• D. Hood dryers and chairs

Answer: (B)

In infection control, the key idea is to disinfect surfaces that directly contact clients or their body parts between each client to prevent cross-contamination. Shampoo bowls and manicure tables are used directly on clients during services—water, hair products, skin, and nails can transfer microbes from one person to the next. Disinfecting these surfaces between clients removes any residual organisms and reduces the risk of transmission.

Floors, waiting area chairs, trash cans, hood dryers, and other non-service-area surfaces aren’t touched by the client in the same way during a session, or aren’t routinely disinfected between individual clients. They’re typically cleaned or sanitized on a separate schedule rather than after every single appointment.