Barbicide is the blue salon disinfectant made by King Research and used in salons, barbershops and spas since 1947. It is a concentrate of 5.12% alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride with an anti-rust additive: diluted 1:16 with water, it disinfects clean, hard, non-porous tools in a 10-minute immersion. The Canadian label classes it as a bactericide, fungicide and virucide and carries DIN 02245567. M1 Nail & Beauty Supply stocks the concentrate in two sizes.
| Size | Makes (at 1:16) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 473 mL (16 oz) pint | About 8 L | One or two stations, home and mobile techs |
| 1.89 L (64 oz) half gallon | About 32 L | Salons that refill several jars every day |
What is the Barbicide mixing ratio?
The label ratio is 2 oz of Barbicide to 32 oz of water, which is 1:16, or 60 mL of concentrate in 946 mL of water. For a small manicure-table jar, that works out to about 7 mL of concentrate in 118 mL (4 oz) of water. A stronger mix does not disinfect better and is harder on tools and skin.
How long do tools stay in Barbicide, and how often is it changed?
Clean the tools first, then immerse them completely for 10 minutes, or longer if your local health unit asks for it. Rinse and dry them afterwards. Mix a fresh batch every day, and sooner if the solution turns cloudy or collects debris.
What can and cannot go in Barbicide?
Hard, non-porous items can: metal nippers, pushers and scissors, combs, clipper blades, glass and plastic. Porous items cannot: nail files, buffers, wooden sticks and sponges are single-use or need replacing. Barbicide disinfects but does not sterilize.
Related: large disinfecting jar, medium disinfecting jar, disinfectants, sterilizers and disinfection supplies, cuticle nippers, cuticle pushers.
Mixing chart for every jar size and the full routine: How to Mix and Use Barbicide.