Cleaning and Disinfection of Foot Spas

Foot spas need to be cleaned thoroughly to prevent the growth and spread of disease causing micro-organisms. Micro-organisms 'germs' grow on moist dirty surfaces.

Last updated: 10 August 2011

How to Clean and Disinfect a Foot Spa?

Foot spas need to be cleaned thoroughly to prevent the growth and spread of disease causing micro-organisms. Micro-organisms 'germs' grow on moist dirty surfaces.

To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, a single-use disposable foot spa liner can be used, otherwise the foot spa should be cleaned and disinfected between each client and at the end of the day according to the following directions.

After each client

Drain the water from the foot spa
Clean the surfaces of the foot spa with a suitable cleaning agent, warm or hot water and scrubbing brush, then rinse
Disinfect by spraying the foot spa with a hospital grade disinfectant (re-circulating 'air-jet' spas need to be disinfected by circulating clean water and disinfectant according to the manufacturer's instructions)
After disinfection, wipe the foot spa until dry using a clean lint free cloth

At the end of the day

Remove the foot spa components (inlet jets, filter screen) using gloves and thoroughly clean 'scrub' the foot spa and components with a brush, warm or hot water and a suitable cleaning agent
Immerse the screen in a hospital grade disinfectant solution or a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) for at least 10 minutes
Rinse the foot spa and components with clean water and re-assemble
Re-fill with clean water and disinfectant - for re-circulating 'air-jet' spas the disinfectant solution must be circulating for the required contact time, or for at least 10 minutes. A long contact time is more likely to kill bacteria and other disease causing microorganisms
After disinfecting, drain, rinse and dry
Store the foot spa in a clean, dry and dust free environment

*Once every week soak the foot spa with disinfectant overnight

*Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and disinfection

Related information and links

NSW Health website for skin penetration industry: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/PublicHealth/environment/general/body_grooming.asp

Further information - Public Health Units in NSW
For more information please contact your doctor, local public health unit or community health centre - look under NSW Government at the front of the White Pages
Metropolitan Areas	Location	Number	Rural Areas	Location	Number
Northern Sydney/Central Coast	Hornsby	02 9477 9400	Greater Southern	Goulburn	02 4824 1837
	Gosford	02 4349 4845		Albury	02 6080 8900
South Eastern Sydney/Illawarra	Randwick	02 9382 8333	Greater Western	Broken Hill	08 8080 1499
	Wollongong	02 4221 6700		Dubbo	02 6841 5569
Sydney South West	Camperdown	02 9515 9420		Bathurst	02 6339 5601
Sydney West	Penrith	02 4734 2022	Hunter/New England	Newcastle	02 4924 6477
	Parramatta	02 9840 3603		Tamworth	02 6764 8000
Justice Health Service	Matraville	02 9311 2707	North Coast	Port Macquarie	02 6588 2750
				Lismore	02 6620 7585

See full Contact details for Public Health Units.