It may be hard work, but there’s something about spring cleaning that actually lifts my spirits. It must be the sense of renewal that comes with giving the home – and our BIOTONE offices – a thorough once over. There’s another upside to spring cleaning. As you go through your spa or massage practice with the proverbial fine-tooth comb, you can spot areas that need fixing before they turn into an even greater problem down the road.
You may have your ritual down pat for spring cleaning your spa or massage practice, but here are few suggestions for spring cleaning with the environment and your client's and employees' health in mind.
Let Fresh Air In
Open all the windows and doors to let fresh air circulate and the dirty air move out. Use fresh or dried flowers, house plants, and aromatherapy candles instead of commercial air fresheners.
Go Over your Equipment with a Fine Tooth Comb
Attend to areas you might overlook on a more regular basis. When it comes to cleaning your massage table, Advanced Fundamentals, which provides advanced CEU courses, suggests you as well as wiping down the top of your massage table, wipe down the sides; clean the headrest, and go over table legs, wires, and tension rods. And while you are at it, don’t forget to clean the stool. All these areas get handled by you and the client's arms and legs – don’t overlook them as part of your thorough spring cleaning.
Go Natural with Cleaning Products
Toss out those chemical-based cleaners and go natural instead. Not only will you save money, but natural cleaners are also just as effective. Here are several natural cleaning products that can clean almost anything in your spa or massage practice:
White Vinegar: In my experience, white vinegar – an antifungal that kills germs and bacteria -- is essentially an ‘all in one cleaner.” It’s incredibly versatile. In your spa or massage practice, use white vinegar for cleaning floors, walls, bathrooms, even the inside of your microwave, and the list goes on.
Baking Soda: Baking soda not only eliminates odors. It also works as a gentle scouring powder so that you can use it in many areas of your spa or massage business.
Olive Oil: Olive oil makes wonderful furniture polish. There are many recipes online for using olive oil to make low-cost furniture polish. Here’s one that requires 1 cup of olive oil and ½ cup lemon juice. Combine them in a bowl or spray bottle; use a clean cloth to rub a small amount into the furniture and wipe dry with another cloth.
Pure Essential Oils: Adding all-natural, organic essential oils to your natural cleaning recipes adds wonderful scents, and some, such as lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and tea tree oils, also may have antibacterial, antifungal, or insect-repellant properties.
While you are at it, inject a breath of fresh air into your practice. Spring is a perfect time to offer some special wraps and scrubs to get skin ready for the summer sun. Throw in a specially discounted massage to make sure clients feel as good as they look.