Which statement about cleaning in a salon is true?

• A. It sterilizes surfaces.
• B. It removes visible dirt.
• C. It kills all pathogens.
• D. It is the final step after disinfection.

Answer: (B)

Cleaning is the step that removes visible dirt, oils, and hair from surfaces and tools using soap or detergent and water. It doesn’t kill pathogens or sterilize surfaces on its own. In salon practice, cleaning comes first because removing dirt helps disinfectants work more effectively and reduces the overall microbial load. Disinfection then targets remaining microbes after cleaning, while sterilization is reserved for items that must be completely free of all organisms. So, the true statement is that cleaning removes visible dirt.