How to check a salon sterilises tools properly before you book

You're sitting at your kitchen table scrolling through nail salons in your area, and you've found one with great reviews and a location that suits you. But then the worry creeps in: are they actually sterilising tools properly, or just rinsing them? It's a fair concern. Infections from non-sterile nail equipment are real, and you deserve to know exactly what a salon does behind the scenes before you hand over your money and your nails.

The good news is that you don't have to guess. There are concrete, straightforward things you can check and questions you can ask right now — before you book.

Physical checks when you visit or call

Start with what you can observe or ask about directly. Call the salon first. Ask them this: "How do you sterilise your tools?" Listen for a specific answer. A vague response like "we clean them" is a red flag. You want to hear about an autoclave — that's the machine that uses high-pressure steam to sterilise equipment. Ask if they have one on-site and how often they use it.

If they mention using a dry-heat steriliser, that's also acceptable, though autoclaves are more common in nail salons. What you're listening for is a real method, not just soaking in liquid disinfectant between clients, which doesn't sterilise.

When you visit in person before booking, ask to see the steriliser. You don't need to be shy about this — a salon confident in their hygiene will show you. Check that it's actually there and looks like it's in use, not a dusty afterthought in a corner. A well-maintained autoclave will have clear labelling and a log book. Yes, many salons keep records of when they ran sterilisation cycles. It's worth asking to see it.

Next, watch how tools are handled on the day. Are they pulled fresh from a sealed pouch, or sitting in open jars? Tools that have been sterilised should be stored in sealed, labelled pouches until use. Single-use items like nail files and buffers should be thrown away after each client — they can't be sterilised. If the technician is reusing a file on you, that's not acceptable.

Asking the right questions of references and checking registrations

You can also phone people who've used the salon. Ask on their social media or through friends: "Have you been to this salon? Did they seem hygienic?" People who've had infections or reactions will often mention it. You're looking for a pattern of feedback, not one dodgy comment.

Check whether the salon is registered with any regulatory body or professional association relevant to their work. While there's no mandatory national register for nail technicians in South Africa, some salons do belong to professional groups or have completed formal training. It's not a guarantee, but it's one more signal. When you call, ask: "Are you registered with any professional nail technician association?" and note their answer.

Also check their general business registration. Search CIPC (the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) to confirm they're a legitimate business. It takes two minutes and costs nothing. A salon unwilling to give you their business details is a warning sign.

On your first appointment, pay attention to the overall setup. Are they wearing fresh gloves? Do they wash their hands between clients? Does the workspace look clean? Sterilisation is one piece; general cleanliness matters too. If something feels off, trust that feeling.

The reason to do these checks now is simple: nail infections and fungal issues are frustrating, expensive to treat, and take months to clear. A few phone calls and a visit before booking takes an hour of your time. Once you've found a salon that can show you exactly how they sterilise tools and where they store them, you can relax and enjoy your manicure. On Strove, you can read verified reviews and see which salons are flagged by customers for hygiene practices, which takes some of the guesswork out of the search.