Footbaths – Infection Prevention and Control

  • If a single-use liner is used, the basin or tub must be cleaned and disinfected with a low level disinfectant at the end of the day. More information on low level disinfectants.
  • The basin or tub must be cleaned and disinfected with an intermediate level disinfectant between clients if:
    • a liner is not used
    • the liner tears or opens contaminating the basin or tub
  • Alcohol cannot be used as an intermediate level disinfectant for footbaths.
  • Clean the tub or basin with soap and water. Use a scrub brush.*
  • Rinse with clean water.
  • Disinfect the tub or basin with an intermediate level disinfectant. Spray the footbath or tub thoroughly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

OR

Disinfect the tub with a bleach solution. The solution can be made by mixing 10 ml of bleach with 495 ml of water or two teaspoons of bleach with two cups of water. It must be made fresh daily. Use the bleach solution and let it sit for 10 minutes.

If the footbath has a screen, then the screen must be removed, cleaned and disinfected between clients and at the end of each day.

* At the end of each day clean, soak the scrub brush in a disinfectant and dry.

Follow manufacturer’s instructions. If manufacturer’s instructions are not available, then between clients you must:

  • Clean the tub with soap and water. Use a scrub brush.*
  • Fill the tub with detergent and warm water above the fill line and turn on recirculation system. Run for five minutes.
  • Drain and rinse with clean water.
  • Disinfect the tub with a disinfectant that has a TB claim on the label. Circulate the disinfectant through the pipes for the duration of the contact time and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Drain the disinfectant.
  • Fill the tub or basin with warm water above the jets and run the system for a few minutes to rinse out disinfectant if required by the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Drain the tub or basin. Dry any pooling liquid.

OR

Disinfect the tub with a bleach solution (this may be corrosive to your pipes). The solution can be made by mixing 20 litres of water with 404 ml of bleach, approximately the volume of a small drinking water bottle. Circulate the solution through the pipes for at least 10 minutes.

At the end of each day, the filters or screens in the piping must be removed, cleaned and disinfected.

* At the end of each day clean, soak the scrub brush in a disinfectant and dry.

  • If the footbath is pipeless or non-recirculating, then the filter or screen (magnetic) must be cleaned and disinfected between clients.
  • If the footbath has pipes or is recirculating, then the filter or screen (requires a screwdriver to remove) must be removed, cleaned and disinfected at the end of each day.
  • Ensure all re-usable instruments are cleaned and disinfected between clients.
  • Ensure all single-use items such as nail files, pumice stones and toe separators are discarded after each client.
  • Tell your clients to avoid waxing or shaving legs 24 hours before having a pedicure.