1. Cleanliness is next to godliness and OSHA Regulations,
it also impacts on the amount your insurance costs.
Before several of you jump there is a place on the inspection
form for housekeeping....if you haven't been inspected don't
worry they WILL get around to you if you keep the policy in force.
2. House pets transmit diseases too!
How else can they be so wide spread...pets don't live in the
house all the time. Think people!
3. Equipment, housing, tables should be cleaned between animals.
There are many products that can be used for this on-going
chore but I prefer using chlorine bleach. Make your own
decision on which one to use all I ask is that you make it.
The dilution factor on the bleach by the way is 1 to 30 unless
I have missed something. It is the cheapest and now they have
nice smelling alternatives. Dilution factor is 1/2 cup bleach
to gallon of water.
Use disinfect for cages and tables, etc.
Equipment should be disinfected between animals....blades,
clipper housing, scissors, nail trimmers, forceps and combs
and brushes. You can buy sprays for blades but I like to
do my forceps and combs in Barbicide. Shop toweling should
have bleach added at 1-30 ratio for disinfecting also. Hey,
don't forget the smocks.
"Barbicide" is relatively cheap and easy to acquire from your local
beauty and barber supply. It is a disinfectant and germicide and
prohibits rust. Can be used to clean cages too!
Other than bleach we use "Quinticare" by Shoreline it is a complete
solution because it is a detergent, odor neutralizer, viricide,
bactericide and fungicide. It is pricey but when you figure it is
all in one bottle and you don't have to add to it works out about the
same as other things on the market.
As with any product your use please, please read and follow the directions.
Note: Toothpaste cup holder with attractive plastic cup makes
great liquid holder for disinfecting forceps. We change
fluid and clean cup every other day and leave forceps
soaking. We brush them clean before replacing in liquid.
The slots are good for hanging some types nail trimmers
and toothbrushes.
What are old toothbrushes good for:
1. at the table -cleaning clipper blades
scrubbing ridges in the tops of grooming tables
2. at the tub - cleaning those gunky eye areas
scrubbing inbetween pads on really dirty feet
So remember to recycle those worn toothbrushes it makes
cleaning lots of things a whole lot easier.
Long narrow plastic boxes with tight covers make good storage areas
for combs and scissors after cleaning. Cover at night because
humidity is the reason things rust...the levels of humidity
in the shop take all night to dissipate.
All flooring should be vacuumed and mopped at end of each day
and bucket with disinfectant solution ready to clean up any accidents
during the day. Note: change often on those days you end up
with a lot urine or feces clean-up. Plastic bottles with disinfecting
solution can be used to spray caging between dogs and wiped dry during
the day if you can't abide the bucket idea.
A plastic thin bristled broom and dust pan used after each grooming
places hair in the proper receptacle not being tracked all around.
Once you get used to doing it time in not a big factor. Shop always
appears neat and clean... I keep a solution of 1 part alcohol to
3 parts water in a spray bottle [you can add smell good if you like]
and spray cans. This will slow down any fleas you might have encountered.
I also keep bottle of natural citrus type dip solution for those really
hairy flea and ticks days for the hair cans. Dilute according to the
directions.
I generally keep cheap flea powder on hand and sprinkle each garbage
can between dogs and after sweeping. The numbing effect of the alcohol
allows fleas to die from this dusting.
For those of you with ClipperVac type units..a daily dose of inexpensive
flea powder sucked down the tube will help kill any "varmits" the unit
vacuums up! Caution if you are allergic to dust
particles. I have been called to task about thus but
the units are generally far enough away that any dust
particles will not be harmful.
Tubs should be scrubbed at the end of the day...soap and shampoo
do cause build up [sorry] folks. And they do not disinfect. The
old dips we used to use did. Choose what market brand you like
but remember the MSDS Sheet...800 number appears on label. Call
they will send. Note: If you have older tub run about 4 inches
of hot water and add a cup of bleach. Allow to sit overnight it
will remove rust stains and brighten the finish. If you have combs
or nail trimmers with rust it will also help cut that off. A little
steel wool finishes the job. Apply light coating of oil and buff
off. Works on old blade sets too. Tub tie down can be placed in the
solution to remove rust or build up. I have standing grate to keep
animals off the bottom of tub and leaving it in tub also helps keep
build up from occurring. We generally do the bathtub soak thingy once
a month.
Change mop or bucket with water and disinfecting solution before final
clean up of the day..no matter how clean. The solution will have lost
its effectiveness and will not do a proper job.
Someone once asked what was a professional...well here is another of
those tips...a professional will take the time to do the right
thing. Keeping your shop clean and odor free is part of the job
description.
