Barbicide Disinfectant: What It Is and How to Use It?

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Barbicide disinfectant is widely used in salons, barbershops and other professional beauty environments to disinfect compatible hard, non-porous tools and surfaces. 

But getting good results isn't simply a matter of putting tools into the familiar blue solution. Cleaning tools first, using the correct Barbicide dilution ratio and allowing the full contact time all matter. 

If you're wondering how to use Barbicide disinfectant, here's what you need to know about mixing the solution, disinfecting salon and barber tools and avoiding common mistakes. 

What Is Barbicide Disinfectant? 

Barbicide disinfectant is a concentrated professional disinfectant associated with the distinctive blue solution commonly seen in salons and barbershops. 

Standard Barbicide Concentrate is designed for disinfecting compatible hard, non-porous implements and surfaces when prepared and used according to its instructions. 

It is commonly used as Barbicide for salon tools and barbering implements such as combs, brushes and shears. 

Importantly, cleaning and disinfecting aren't the same process. Visible hair, dirt and product residue should be removed first. The cleaned, compatible implement can then be disinfected according to the product instructions. 

What Is Barbicide Used For? 

Barbicide can be used for compatible hard, non-porous tools and surfaces according to the instructions for the particular Barbicide product. 

In a salon or barbershop, that can include compatible: 

Using Barbicide for barber tools or salon implements doesn't mean that every item in the workplace belongs in a Barbicide jar. 

Porous or single-use items should be handled according to the appropriate hygiene and disposal procedures rather than automatically being soaked and reused. 

Always check the product label and the tool manufacturer's care instructions if you're uncertain about material compatibility. 

Does Barbicide Sterilise Tools? 

Barbicide is a disinfectant, so it's more accurate to talk about disinfecting salon tools rather than sterilising them. 

Cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation are different processes: 

So, when you're using standard Barbicide solution in a salon or barbershop, avoid using "sterilise" as another word for "disinfect". 

How to Use Barbicide Disinfectant? 

Learning how to use Barbicide properly starts before the tool enters the disinfectant. 

1. Clean the Tools First 

Remove visible hair, dirt and product residue from the implement. 

Disinfectant should be used on an appropriately cleaned item rather than as a substitute for the cleaning step. 

2. Prepare the Barbicide Solution 

If you're using concentrated Barbicide, dilute it with water according to the current directions for that exact product. 

Don't estimate the concentration by eye. 

Standard Barbicide Concentrate and products such as Barbicide Plus don't necessarily use the same dilution, so check which product you actually have before mixing. 

3. Fully Immerse Compatible Implements 

For implements that are suitable for immersion, place the cleaned tool into the prepared Barbicide solution so that the required surfaces are fully immersed. 

Using a suitable disinfecting jar can make it easier to keep implements submerged for the required contact time. 

4. Allow the Full Contact Time 

For standard Barbicide Concentrate, current UK manufacturer guidance specifies a 10-minute contact time. 

Don't simply dip the tool into the solution and remove it immediately. The contact time is part of the disinfection process. 

5. Remove and Rinse the Implements 

After the required contact time, remove the tools and rinse them according to the current product directions. 

6. Dry and Store Appropriately 

Allow the disinfected tools to dry and store them in a way that helps prevent them from becoming contaminated again before use. 

Don't automatically use the Barbicide jar as permanent storage for your implements. 

What Is the Correct Barbicide Dilution Ratio? 

For standard Barbicide Concentrate, current Barbicide UK guidance specifies a 1:16 dilution ratio. 

Measure the concentrate and water rather than judging the strength by how blue the finished solution looks. 

Important Note About the Current Cosmetize Product Page 

The current official Barbicide guidance specifies 2 oz concentrate to 32 oz water (1:16) for standard Barbicide Concentrate. 

Because disinfectant concentration matters, do not rely on conflicting online measurements or estimate the solution by colour. Check the current instructions on the label supplied with your Barbicide product and follow the manufacturer's instructions for the exact product you have. 

This is especially important because Barbicide Concentrate and Barbicide Plus are different products and don't use the same dilution instructions. 

How Long Should Tools Stay in Barbicide? 

For standard Barbicide Concentrate, the current stated Barbicide contact time is 10 minutes. 

Contact time means the amount of time an implement or surface must remain in contact with the disinfectant for it to work as specified on the product label. 

When full immersion is required, compatible tools should therefore remain fully immersed for the stated period. 

Leaving them in for only a minute or two doesn't provide the same contact time. 

At the other extreme, leaving tools soaking indefinitely isn't necessary either. Follow the contact time and removal instructions for the product and tool you're using. 

How Often Should You Change Barbicide Solution? 

For Barbicide solution used in containers where combs, brushes, shears and other implements are submerged, current UK guidance says the solution should be changed daily. 

It should also be changed sooner if it becomes contaminated or has been mixed incorrectly. For example, don't continue using an immersion solution simply because it is still blue if it contains visible debris or contamination. 

A simple professional routine is: 

Prepare correctly → use for the working day → monitor for contamination → replace daily or sooner when required. 

This guidance applies to immersion containers. A product kept in a closed spray bottle can have different replacement guidance because tools aren't repeatedly being immersed in the solution. 

What Tools Can You Put in Barbicide? 

Standard Barbicide is intended for compatible hard, non-porous items and surfaces. 

Depending on the product and material, this can include salon and barber tools such as: 

Before immersing an expensive or specialist tool, check that its material is suitable for the disinfectant and immersion. 

What Shouldn't Go in Barbicide? 

Don't assume that every salon item can be disinfected by dropping it into a jar. 

Single-use items should be discarded after use where required rather than disinfected for reuse.