There are many different ways to clean hot stones. There is no right or wrong method, and it is important to do what feels comfortable for you. The key is to ensure that you clean the hot stones between treatments and do not leave them in a dirty hot stone heater with water all day.
How Often Should I Clean Hot Stones?
Hot stones must be cleaned after every client without exception. Whether it is for massage therapy, facials, pedicures, manicures, or reflexology, you need to clean the stones after every use.
Some therapists prefer to do a deep clean once a day or once a week, depending on how often the stones are used.
How Do I Clean My Hot Stones?
There are many opinions on the best way to clean hot stones. We believe the most important thing is to choose a method that works for you—there is no right or wrong as long as they are cleaned.
Therapists who work energetically often prefer cleaning hot stones with boiling water and mild green soap. Place the stones in a bucket with boiling water and green soap and let them soak for a while. Then, rinse each stone under running water.
From time to time, you can perform a deep cleaning by placing the stones in a container with sea salt. This helps draw out any oil that has seeped into the basalt stones.
Other therapists, particularly in the beauty industry, prefer cleaning with an antibacterial or disinfectant solution to minimize the risk of infection. This is especially important for stones used between the toes.
In this case, the stones can be cleaned after each use with warm water and an antibacterial solution. The stones should then be rinsed with hot water, dried on a towel, and optionally sprayed with an alcohol-based disinfectant.
The water in the hot stone heater must be changed after every use, and the water reservoir should be washed. If you use an extra mat or towel to create contrast between the stones and the inside of the heater, it should be replaced with a clean one after each treatment.
Extra Tips
- Always dry the massage stones with a towel or let them air dry completely before storing them. Placing wet stones in a storage box can cause them to rust.
- To enhance the energetic properties of the stones, you can place them outside in the grass during rain or under the full moon.
Which Massage Oil is Suitable for Hot Stone Massages?
Using the right massage oil during a hot stone massage makes it much easier to clean the stones and the hot stone heater. As a general rule, avoid using creams, lotions, gels, or heavy base oils. These products tend to stick to the stones, making them more difficult to clean.
It is best to use a natural and light massage oil, such as Verana massage oil.
Some professionals believe that if they do not put the stones back into the water, they do not need to change the water each time. This is incorrect. Every time you put your hands in the water, you contaminate it. Additionally, warm water is an ideal environment for bacteria to grow, especially if it is left stagnant. Therefore, always change the water in the heater after each treatment.
Quick and Efficient Cleaning of Hot Stones
Cleaning hot stones and the hot stone heater takes time. Many therapists say, “I don’t have enough time between clients to clean the stones and change the water in the heater.” In that case, take a closer look at your pricing—every client deserves clean stones on their body that come from clean water and a hygienically maintained heater.
You don’t want to be responsible for a client getting an infection because you did not maintain hygiene during a hot stone massage. Make sure to allow enough time to clean the materials properly.
There are some ways to save time between treatments, such as purchasing a second set of hot stones and/or an additional heater. While this may be a costly solution for smaller practices, it is highly practical and efficient.
Another common issue is that professionals find it takes too long to reheat the stones. A good solution is to wash the stones with hot water and refill the heater’s reservoir with hot water. This allows the stones to heat up quickly since the basalt core remains warm.
We do not recommend using an oxidation agent. This type of chemical can be harsh on the skin and does not effectively remove dead skin cells from previous clients.
If you work in a spa or wellness center, you can also place the stones in the industrial dishwasher in the kitchen for cleaning. At the end of your shift, drop off the stones with the kitchen staff, and by the time you start your next shift, you will have a fresh set of clean stones.
Thoroughly cleaning the massage stones and the heater takes time, and as a massage therapist, you should factor this cost into your treatment prices.
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