How to Mix and Use Barbicide: Ratio, Contact Time and What Not to Soak
By Edmond Lin, M1 Nail & Beauty Supply, Markham, Ontario. Last updated 12 October 2026. Ratios and times are taken from the Barbicide label; the jar chart is arithmetic at the label ratio.
Barbicide is mixed at 1 part concentrate to 16 parts water: 2 oz of Barbicide in 32 oz of water, or 62.5 mL per litre. Wash the tools first, immerse them completely for 10 minutes, then rinse and dry them. Mix a fresh batch every day, and sooner if the solution turns cloudy or dirty. It works on hard, non-porous tools only, and it disinfects rather than sterilizes.
In this guide
Barbicide at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Mixing ratio | 1:16 (1 part Barbicide, 16 parts water) |
| In ounces | 2 oz (1/4 cup) of Barbicide in 32 oz (4 cups) of water |
| In metric | 62.5 mL of Barbicide per litre of water |
| Contact time | 10 minutes, tools completely immersed |
| Before soaking | Wash off all visible debris with soap, water and a brush |
| After soaking | Rinse with water, dry, store covered |
| Change the solution | Every day, or sooner if cloudy, dirty or diluted |
| Active ingredient | Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride 5.12%, with sodium nitrite as the anti-rust agent |
| Canadian label | Commercial bactericide, fungicide and virucide, DIN 02245567 |
How much Barbicide for each jar size?
Measure the water your jar actually holds when the tools are in it, then add one sixteenth of that volume in Barbicide. The chart does the division for the common salon jar sizes.
| Water in the jar | Barbicide to add | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 118 mL (4 oz) | 7 mL (about 1 1/2 teaspoons) | Small manicure-table jar |
| 250 mL (1 cup) | 16 mL (about 1 tablespoon) | Short jar for nippers and pushers |
| 500 mL (2 cups) | 31 mL (about 2 tablespoons) | Medium jar |
| 621 mL (21 oz) | 39 mL | Mid-size comb jar |
| 946 mL (32 oz) | 59 mL (2 oz, 1/4 cup) | The batch size printed on the label |
| 1 litre | 62.5 mL | Metric batch |
| 1.09 L (37 oz) | 68 mL | Tall comb and shear jar |
One Barbicide 473 mL (16 oz) bottle makes 8 batches of 32 oz, about 8 litres of solution. One Barbicide 1.89 L (64 oz) jug makes 32 batches, about 32 litres. Jars to mix it in: large disinfecting jar and medium disinfecting jar.
How to disinfect salon tools with Barbicide, step by step
- Clean. Scrub the tools with soap, warm water and a brush until no skin, dust or product is left, then rinse. Disinfectant cannot reach a surface that is covered in debris.
- Mix. Put the water in the jar first, then add the Barbicide at 1:16. Wear gloves and eye protection while you handle the concentrate.
- Immerse. Open hinged tools and submerge everything completely. Start timing: 10 minutes, or longer if your public health unit requires it.
- Rinse and dry. Lift the tools out with tongs or the basket, rinse them under running water and dry them with a clean towel.
- Store. Keep disinfected tools in a clean, covered container until the next client.
- Replace. Pour the solution out at the end of the day, wash the jar and mix a new batch in the morning.
What can and cannot go in Barbicide?
| Item | Soak in Barbicide? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Metal cuticle nippers, cuticle pushers, scissors, tweezers | Yes | Hard and non-porous; open the joints first |
| Combs, plastic brushes, clipper blades, shears | Yes | Listed on the label |
| Glass and hard plastic bowls, drill bits made of metal | Yes | Hard and non-porous; clean the flutes with a brush first |
| Nail files, buffers, sanding bands | No | Porous or abrasive; they cannot be disinfected, so they are single-use |
| Wooden sticks, toe separators, sponges, pumice | No | Porous; single-use |
| Towels and capes | No | Launder them instead |
| Skin | Never | It is a hard-surface disinfectant, not a hand sanitizer or antiseptic |
For which files and buffers are single-use, see our nail file grit guide.
Is Barbicide a disinfectant or a sterilizer?
Barbicide is a disinfectant. The three levels of tool hygiene are different things, and a salon uses more than one of them.
| Step | What it does | How |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Removes visible debris; always the first step | Soap, water and a brush |
| Disinfection | Kills the bacteria, fungi and viruses named on the product label, on a clean hard surface | Barbicide at 1:16 for 10 minutes |
| Sterilization | Destroys all microbial life, including spores | Autoclave or dry-heat sterilizer, with tools in pouches |
Tools that cut or may break the skin are held to a higher standard in many places. Ask your local public health unit which items must be sterilized and which methods it accepts; a UV cabinet does not replace cleaning or disinfection. We carry sterilizers and sterilization pouches.
Common Barbicide mistakes
| Mistake | What goes wrong | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Mixing it stronger "to be safe" | No better disinfection; harsher on tools, skin and lungs | Measure 1:16 every time |
| Topping up yesterday's jar | The solution is already diluted and contaminated | Empty, wash the jar and mix fresh daily |
| Skipping the wash | Debris shields germs from the liquid and clouds the jar | Always clean first |
| Leaving tools in overnight | Edges dull and metal can pit despite the anti-rust formula | Remove after the contact time, rinse and dry |
| Dipping for a few seconds | The label claims are for 10 minutes of full immersion | Use a timer and keep spare sets of tools |
| Soaking files and buffers | Porous items stay contaminated | Use a new one for each client |
Safety when handling the concentrate
- The undiluted concentrate is corrosive. The label warns of eye damage and skin burns: wear gloves and eye protection when you pour and mix.
- If it gets in the eyes or on the skin, rinse with plenty of water right away and follow the first-aid directions on the bottle.
- Keep the bottle upright, closed and out of reach of children. Never decant it into a drink bottle.
- Do not mix Barbicide with other cleaners or disinfectants.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Barbicide to water ratio?
1:16. That is 2 oz of Barbicide in 32 oz of water, or 62.5 mL per litre. For a small 4 oz manicure jar it is about 7 mL.
How long do tools need to sit in Barbicide?
10 minutes, completely immersed, after they have been washed. Some health units ask for longer; follow the stricter rule.
How often should Barbicide be changed?
Every day. Change it sooner if it looks cloudy, has debris in it or has been watered down by wet tools.
Can I use Barbicide on surfaces?
Yes. The label allows the same 1:16 solution on pre-cleaned hard, non-porous surfaces, applied by cloth, mop or trigger sprayer and left visibly wet for 10 minutes.
Can nail files and buffers be disinfected in Barbicide?
No. They are porous and cannot be disinfected in any liquid. Use a new file or buffer for each client, or give the used one to the client.
Does Barbicide rust tools?
The formula contains an anti-rust agent, sodium nitrite. Tools still dull or pit if they are left in the jar for hours, or put away wet.
Is Barbicide registered in Canada?
Yes. The Canadian bottle carries DIN 02245567, and Health Canada lists the product as a disinfectant with 5.12% benzalkonium chloride. In December 2025 the listing moved to Canada's new Biocides Regulations, so newer bottles may show a different registration number.
Shop: Barbicide 473 mL (16 oz), Barbicide 1.89 L (64 oz), large disinfecting jar, disinfectants, gloves.
See the Barbicide concentrate we stock in Markham, Ontario.
Shop BarbicideSources: the Canadian Barbicide label (DIN 02245567); US EPA master label for Barbicide, Reg. No. 954-11 (19 August 2021); Health Canada Drug Product Database, DIN 02245567. This guide is general information for salon staff and does not replace the product label or your local public health requirements.
