Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68005
4. 5. to sterilize all table surfaces between clients. Select quality, ecofriendly cleaning products that are considerate of clients' allergies and void of artificial scents. And, of course, thoroughly wash your hands between clients. SOLIDS VERSUS PRINTS Again, this is a matter of personal preference. There are lots of beautiful prints on the market, including batiks and themed designs, but Gern says he sold so few printed sheets he stopped carrying them. Solids—especially whites—look clean and hygienic, but prints carry one big advantage over solids: they can help camouflage stains. SANITATION RULES Of course, don't reuse any towel or sheet that has come in contact with a client before laundering it. Sheets should be changed after every client. Same for face-rest covers. Find a hamper for dirty linens that is well away from the clean ones. Make sure 6. LAUNDRY TIPS Experts disagree about the ideal temperature at which to launder your linens. Norma Keyes, director of product standards for Cotton Inc., a trade group to promote cotton products, advises using the hottest water possible to remove stains and odor. Gern and Sise say hot water only sets in stains. They recommend warm water. Dapkins insists warm to lukewarm is fine, and that even washing in cold water is acceptable. But here's something they all agree on: get them washed as soon as possible—within 24 hours of use. "If you must wait to wash them, store them in black plastic bags," Dapkins says. "Tie the bags shut to keep out air and light, as these are the two things that turn oil rancid." For badly stained linens, allow them to soak in a degreaser, then launder them twice to completely remove oily residue. For stubborn stains, add bleach to the second wash so the bleach can penetrate after some of the oily buildup is gone, Dapkins suggests. 7. SPECIAL SUPPLIES Unlike bed linens, which are only for sleeping, massage table linens get regularly doused with oil. Simply tossing them into the wash with other linens won't be adequate. Some sort of degreaser must be used, experts say. One possibility is dish soap, which won't harm linens, or the spray product called Zout. Dapkins created Pure Pro Linen Degreaser, a citrus-based product, specifically with the demands visit massageandbodywork.com to access your digital magazine 95