At times, we focus so heavily on caring for our hair that we neglect our hair tools. Just like hair, our tools accumulate dirt and oil throughout the week.
When we visit our favorite salons and barbershops, you will see a container with hair tools filled with blue liquid that sits on the stations of our barbers and beauticians. The solution is known as Barbicide, which is an EPA registered hospital grade disinfectant used in salons, barbershops, and spas. The brand also shares some suggested uses for Barbicide including stainless steel implements and plastic combs, brushes, rollers, manicure stations, and implements.
Should we cleanse our tools with Barbicide just like our stylists and barbers? How can this be used at home? Candis Matthews, a licensed cosmetologist of 12 years in Baltimore, gives us the scoop on how she uses Barbicide at the salon.
How often do you use and change your Barbicide?
Matthews: “Twice a week.”
Is it safe to use at home?
Matthews: “It could be, that’s nothing that I ever tried, but it’s used to kill viruses and bacteria. So, yes I would imagine that you could to keep things sterilized.”
How is it different from cleaning your hair tools with alcohol and shampoo?
Matthews: “Alcohol does not sterilize, it just kills certain things. But Barbicide is a higher grade and it also kills viruses. Alcohol will not kill a virus; it will just kill certain germs. When you’re working in the field of cosmetology and you’re coming in contact with the public and different skin types, they are exposed to different things and they are bringing it to you. You want to make sure that you are able to kill anything that can be a contagious to someone else.”
Where can you purchase it?
Matthews: “At beauty supply stores and you do not need a cosmetology license to purchase.”
How often do you change your Barbicide?
Matthews: “Twice a week.”
How do you measure Barbicide?
Matthews: “Please follow the measurements according to the packaging.”
What hair tools do you use Barbicide to cleanse with?
Matthews: “I use Barbicide specifically for combs, brushes, and tint brushes. I use Mar-V-Cide spray for clippers and cutting tools. When placing your tools in the Barbicide, you should remove tools that are already clean. If you place dirty tools in the barbicide, you will contaminate the rest of the tools and liquid.”
Barbicide is used to cleanse tools and kills any bacteria or viruses that come in contact with tools.
Do you use Barbicide at home? How do you clean your hair tools? Please share with the curly community.
Read next: Why You Really Need to Clean Your Combs
