The Art of Cleaning a Massage Room (AKA Why it Takes Me So Long to Come to Get You)

A few weeks ago, I had a friend come in for a massage. Since she was my last client of the night and a good friend, I invited her to come back and talk with me while I cleaned the room up. At one point, she stopped talking and commented how she didn't realize how much cleaning I did between clients. She knew that I kept my room clean, but she hadn't realized just what goes into cleaning my room. That made me think that some of you might like to know just what goes into keeping my room clean for you all.

I would like to start by saying that I've been cleaning my room like this for the majority of my career with very few changes. I was very fortunate to have worked for two amazing women who emphasized cleaning early on. My first job back in New Mexico was at a vet clinic working in the kennels. The kennel manager was actually OCD and made sure to train every worker personally to clean to her standards. In the massage job that I had for the majority of the time that I lived in Washington (the state, not DC), the owner made sure that we all took pride in keeping the spa clean and tidy. Even when COVID hit, I was cleaning to such a high standard that I didn't have to change much.

I'll start with the cleaning I do between every client. I start by stripping the sheets off the table and putting the bolster back on the table. I then spray the table, bolster, and stool with doTERRA's On Guard Cleaner. I wipe down the bolster, table, face cradle handle, oil bottles, jewelry dish, chair, door knobs, stool, and tongs with a clean rag. I then spray and wipe down each of the hot stones that I used during the massage. I then spray the now-clean hot stones with alcohol and get a new towel and drying pad. By now the table is usually dry and I can put clean sheets on. Once the sheets are on, the stones are dry and can be put back into the warmer. I then put the dirty sheets, towel, drying pad, and cleaning cloth in my dirty laundry basket and make sure that the clean towel and drying pad are set out and ready to use.

At the end of the day, I do all of the above with a few extras. I take all the hot stones and hot towels out of the warmers and clean the warmers with alcohol. While I have the hot stones out, I spray them all with alcohol. I change the towel in the bottom of the stone warmer and put the clean stones back in to be ready for the next day. I also empty the tub I use for cold water and clean that. I take all the dirty sheets and towels home at the end of the day to wash so I have plenty available for the next day.

Friday nights are when I do my deep clean of the room. I dust everything, clean the mirror, and vacuum the room. I also refill my oil bottle, cleaning bottle, and alcohol bottle. I also take the hot stones home and give them a good scrub with a stiff bristle brush and a degreaser soap.

So that is my cleaning routine. What do you think? Is there anything that you would change or do differently? Let me know in the comments! Now you know exactly how I clean my room and what takes so long when I tell you that I need to clean the room before I bring you back.