How do you clean a head spa device? Hygiene between treatments

When purchasing a head spa device for your salon, you primarily think about treatments, client experience, and revenue. Hygiene is rarely at the top of the list. Yet, it is precisely this aspect that determines whether you'll still be working with the same device in two years, or if you'll have already had to buy a second one.

In this article, I'll explain how to keep a head spa device clean, which products to use, and what you absolutely shouldn't do. No technical jargon, just what works in practice.

Why hygiene is extra important for a head spa device

During a head spa treatment, warm water flows over the client's scalp. That water—mixed with shampoo, serum, or treatment products—comes into contact with hair, sebum, scalp flakes, and sometimes styling residue. All of that material ends up in the device.

Bacteria grow rapidly in a warm, humid reservoir. If you don't change the water and flush the pipes in time, it will smell. Worse: customers can develop skin irritations. This is not only unpleasant, it also damages your reputation.

In addition, limescale in the pump and pipes causes blockages. A device that does not clean properly will also not provide good water pressure anymore. And a treatment with irregular pressure is simply less pleasant for the customer.

Daily cleaning: what do you do after each treatment?

The daily routine is short, but don't skip it. Do this after every client:

• Empty reservoir — Never leave standing water in the appliance, not even until the next day. Discard the water after the treatment.
• Flushing pipes — Fill the reservoir with clean, lukewarm water and run the appliance through a short rinse cycle. This will flush product residue from the hoses.
• Dry and disinfect massage head — Remove the cap with a cloth and spray a non-aggressive disinfectant. Let it sit for a moment, then wipe dry.
• Clean the outside — Remove the frame and controls with a damp cloth. Do not use aggressive cleaning agents on the control panel.

Each treatment takes an average of 5 to 7 minutes. If you incorporate that into your regular routine—while the client is getting dressed—it won't cost you any extra time.

“An appliance that you care for for five minutes after every customer will last twice as long as one that you only clean weekly.”

Weekly deep cleaning: how do you tackle it?

Once a week, preferably at a quiet moment, perform a more thorough cleaning. Citric acid is your best friend here: it dissolves limescale without damaging the appliance.

Step	How	Time
Making a citric acid solution	1 tablespoon citric acid to 1 liter of lukewarm water	2 minutes
Fill reservoir and circulate	Run device for 10 minutes on low setting	10 minutes
Rinse	Flush the tank completely with clean water twice.	5 minutes
Check filter	Remove from the device, rinse under running water	3 minutes
Clean massage head thoroughly	Unclog, brush, disinfectant, dry	5 minutes

Total: about 25 minutes per week. Schedule this for Monday morning before your first client, or Friday evening after closing.

What products do you use and not use?

This is where things sometimes go wrong. Not every cleaning product is suitable for a head spa device. The wrong products can damage the pump, hoses, or massage head.

Use

• Citric acid (descaling, food grade)
• Isopropyl Alcohol 70% for surfaces (not part of the system)
• Mild water-based disinfectant spray for the massage head
• Soft microfiber cloths

Never use:

• Bleach or chlorine solutions — damage internal parts
• Vinegar in high concentrations — corrodes metal components
• Sponge pads on the massage head — they scratch the surface
• Scented cleaning products — odor transfer to the next customer

Replacing the filter: when and how?

Most head spa devices have a filter in the water system. This filter stops hair remnants and dirt. How long it lasts depends on how often you use it.

As a rule of thumb: check the filter weekly with intensive use (more than 4 treatments per day), and monthly with lower usage. A clogged filter will result in reduced pressure and noise in the pump. Replace the filter when it is still visibly discolored or damaged after rinsing.

Replacement filters can be ordered via MediRelaxa FAQ Page or directly through our customer service. Keep your device's model number handy — not every filter fits every model.

For which salons is a strict cleaning routine less obvious?

To be honest, we are too. Some salon situations make discipline more difficult:

• One-person salons with full schedulesIf you utilize every minute, it's tempting to postpone cleaning. The solution: build it in as a regular item on your client schedule, not as something extra.
• Mobile therapistsYou work at clients' homes and don't always have access to running water. Solve this by bringing a small bottle of rinse water and disinfectant spray, and doing the deep cleaning at home.
• Salons with multiple employeesWho is responsible? Agree clearly on this and hang a cleaning protocol on the appliance. This is not excessive bureaucracy – it saves discussions and broken appliances.

Maintenance as an investment, not a burden

A head spa device costs between 3,000 and 8,000 euros, depending on the model. That's a serious investment. A device that is well-maintained will last five to eight years without major defects. Neglected devices might need a new pump or heating element after just two years.

When you compare the cleaning time—about 2 hours per month—to the cost of a repair or replacement unit, the choice is easy.

Want to know which appliance is easiest to maintain? Check out our Deluxe Mobile Head Spa Device — designed with accessible filter compartments and a one-touch rinse cycle.