In this post, I will give you 10 things that I will be doing to help to reduce the risk of virus transmission when I return to work as a mobile hairdresser. These are NOT official guidelines, simply things that I will be doing. Guidelines are changing regularly, and to keep up to date, you should be reading and adhering to the guidelines from your Government.
For all other countries not listed above, log on to your Government website to access the guidelines that you should be adhering to.
This post is informational only and is not official advice on what you should be doing as a mobile hairdresser. Official advice should be gleaned from your government websites.
10 Tips For Returning To Work Safely
1. Call Your Client To Confirm Appointment And Make Sure They Have Not Got Any Symptoms Of A Virus Or Flu.
This is a good opportunity to discuss any hair changes that will help you book the correct timing for their appointment.
I have created a questionnaire for my clients, you can complete this over the phone with them.
If you visit a client who has symptoms, then you are increasing the risk of you contracting it.
Don’t feel embarrassed or worried about doing this. You need to keep yourself safe.
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Reassure clients that you are symptom-free. If your clients are presenting with any symptoms, rebook them once they have been symptom-free for the official time period (again, check your government’s website). It is important to keep ourselves safe and your clients.
2. Call Or Message Your Client When You Park Up Before Entering Their Home.
This will prepare your client so they can be ready for your arrival.
This extra time will give your client time to apply the required P.P.E, I.E face mask.
3. Wear Correct PPE Guided By Government Guidelines
You should always be guided by the official website for P.P.E. Remember this is our mobile hair business and its important you keep yourself and others safe.
Current advice (at the time of this post) suggests that in the UK, we use face masks. Face masks will help to prevent any transmitting viruses.
Face shields have also been shown to provide additional facial protection, it will prevent you from touching your face and eyes. We do this without thinking especially if its summer months with the high pollen count!
By using a face shield, your clients will still be visible to see lip movement and facial expressions.
Follow government guidelines to keep up to date with what is needed to protect us and others whilst in clients’ homes.
4. Wash Hands When Entering Your Clients Home
The current WHO guidelines (a the time of this post) for washing hands is that you should sing ‘happy birthday’ twice during the hand wash.
I will be carrying my own anti-bac soap with me with a pump so I can be reassured.
Carry some kitchen roll or disposable towels in your bag to dry your hands. You will be reassured that you are not drying your hands on a shared towel. This will help to prevent any cross-contamination.
Before starting my clients hair, I will ask my client to wash their hands too.
4. No Handshaking, No Hugging
This will be very difficult, especially if you have clients that love to hug! We can create amazing air hugs and air handshakes. Reducing contact will reduce transmission.
It is important we follow the guidelines to keep ourselves and others safe. This is changing our normal habits and forming new ones.
5. Use Disposable Gowns And Aprons Or Fresh Clean Gown
Use disposable gowns or a fresh gown per client. I will not be sharing gowns!
This is so important, You might be thinking about extra cost but remember this is (usually) tax-deductible.
Keep in contact with your main supplier, and official websites to purchase these.
The benefits of the disposable gown and aprons:
- No washing for you
- Reduced germ transmission
- More hygienic
- Covers clothing
- Convenient P.P.E
If you are using non-disposable gowns its advisable to bag up individual gowns after each wash, this shows the client it is clean and not been used.
Once you have finished with the gown, bag it back up. I will be using a drawstring bag to keep the used gowns in, or a zipper sealed bag.
Wash the gowns on a hot wash when you arrive home. Its recommended washing these on 60 degrees.
6. Cleaning And Sanitising Equipment
Barbicide has courses you can complete online for free. Once complete you will receive an official certificate. This is professional and updates your knowledge on the up to date guidance for a safer way of working.
Your clients will be reassured that you are following the correct safety measures.
You are probably thinking:
How am I going to use Barbicide as a mobile hairdresser?
Simple!
Mix the correct amount guided by Barbicide in a spray bottle. There are Barbicide wipes that are available to purchase.
I suggest spraying the following items:
- Combs
- Scissors
- Brushes
- Trolley
- Clipper attachments
- Wipe plates of straighteners once cool enough
Make sure you wipe clean before spraying with Barbicide. Follow guidelines on the Barbicide website for official advice.
7. Minimise Cash Payments
Try to reduce handling cash. If you choose to take cash I recommend a zip bag and for you to wear gloves when handling money.
What other ways to take payment are you thinking?
- Sum up payments
- Bacs
- PayPal
If you have to handle money, you should wash your hands afterward to ensure they are clean, this is the advice given by the World Health Organisation.
8. Keeping Your Car Clean
Have your sanitizer handy, keep those door handles sanitized between each client.
What else shall I sanitise in my car?
- Gearstick
- Steering wheel
- Door handles inside and out
- Any buttons you touch (touchpoints)
I suggest we keep a separate bag for our car sanitizers. Keep them out of direct sunlight, I have a cool box in my car, which is a safer way to keep it stored.
9. Keeping Your Equipment Organised
I always keep a cooler in my car boot during the hotter months. This is handy for all my disinfectants and sanitizers too.
Keeping separate boxes in the boot will keep you organised.
- P.P.E box
- Spare stock box
- Sanitizer and disinfectant box
The boxes don’t have to be too big if you’re concerned about the space in your boot. Keep it to a minimum.
If you don’t have space for a cooler, use a thermal bag for your sanitizers and disinfectant.
You don’t want to waste time searching through your boot for anything. You can keep spare gloves and masks in your equipment bag, it will always be handy to keep spare in your ppe box in your boot.
10. Prepeare To Return Home
Its home time!
Can I just arrive home and walk in as usual?
Answer is No!
We have been in peoples homes, been touching hair, we will have hair on us.
This might seem a worry but we don’t have to overthink this. It is just a new routine.
- Wash hands
- Bring drawstring bag in and used towels and gowns in the wash
- Put your clothes straight in the wash
- Spray the bottom of your shoes with disinfectant/sanitizer
- Have a shower
- Wipe down your phone
This is what I will be doing when I return home!
Conclusion
That is it for now! All 10 tips have been covered on this page.
The goal is for you and your clients to remain healthy, and for you to act responsibly to ensure you are playing your part in reducing the spread of any virus.
You should ALWAYS follow the advice that your government have given you to reduce the spread of any virus.
This post is informational only and is not official advice on what you should be doing as a mobile hairdresser. Official advice should be gleaned from your government websites.
If you have any concerns or questions feel free to get in touch