Salon owners share the 7 red flags to look for when getting a pedicure

• Business Insider asked salon owners about the red flags to watch for when getting a pedicure.

• Jetted tubs are really difficult to clean, and pedicure chairs should be covered.

• Keep an eye out for foot files with blades, loose metal tools, and techs not wearing proper gear.

As the weather warms up, more people will bust out their sandals and splurge on pedicure appointments.

While the US economy is looking pretty fragile right now, salons are considered pretty recession-proof. It may be due to "the lipstick index" — the theory that consumers continue to spend on lower-price luxuries, such as salon services and beauty products, even during economic downturns and recessions.

So if you are planning to spend money on a pedicure, you'll want to make sure you're choosing a trustworthy salon.

Here's what salon owners say are red flags to look out for when getting a pedicure at a new salon.

Salons with jetted tubs may not have thoroughly disinfected them

Rona Villamore Falls, the owner of Frenchies Modern Nail Care in Braselton, Georgia, cautions against getting a pedicure at a salon with jetted tubs.

While the tubs can be relaxing, water jets are really difficult to clean and disinfect.

"It can take a couple of hours to fully disinfect a jetted tub system, making it impossible to do it in between clients," she said. "Skin and bacteria can build up in the jets."

Villamore Falls recommended choosing nonjetted pedicure bowls when possible.

Metal tools shouldn't be stored loose or pulled out of random drawers or pockets

Pay attention to where your technician is grabbing metal tools such as clippers, nippers, and pushers from, Villamore Falls said.

These tools should be thoroughly sanitized and disinfected, and the way they're stored at some salons isn't conducive to keeping them clean.

If your technicians "are getting tools loose out of a drawer and they are not in a sterilization packet, chances are they have not been cleaned properly," she told Business Insider.

Porous files and buffers should ideally be used on only one client

It's easy to tell if a nail file or buffer has been used — and a fresh one is best, Villamore Falls said.

"If you see scratches or marks/lines on the file or buffer, they were likely used on a previous client or clients," she told BI. "Porous implements can carry germs and bacteria and should really only be used once."

She said that if you're getting a pedicure and manicure at the same appointment, nail technicians should also use separate tools for your hands and feet.

Nail technicians not wearing proper gear can be a red flag, too

According to Lana Kars, the CEO and founder of Russian Nails, your nail technician should follow specific practices for proper hygiene, such as wearing disposable face masks and gloves.

Kars said a proper technician may also wear a disposable gown and hat. All these wearables should be disposed of after each client.

"This helps prevent the spread of bacteria and contaminants that could compromise the health and safety of clients," she said.

Uncovered pedicure chairs may not be the cleanest

Kars told BI that salons should cover pedicure chairs with disposable materials to prioritize good hygiene. Disposable sheets or covers can be quickly tossed and replaced when rotating clients in and out.

"Using disposable sheets demonstrates to clients that the salon prioritizes cleanliness and hygiene," she said.

Keep an eye out for foot files with blades or graters

Patricia Reign, a licensed manicurist and the owner of Traveling Aura Mobile Spa, warned against getting a pedicure from a salon using abrasive foot-filing tools.

"Foot files, also known as callus removers, with blades or 'cheese graters' are a major red flag," she said. "Blades are banned in salons, and 'cheese graters' are not intended for feet."

Plus, the aggressive nature of these tools can cause issues. In some cases, the blades can remove layers of skin meant to protect you, which can make your feet feel tender.

Household cleaning products aren't enough to disinfect equipment

Reign told BI it's a red flag "if a salon uses household products to clean their chairs."

"These products often fail to meet the stringent requirements set by state boards for effectively disinfecting surfaces used to provide services to multiple individuals," she said.

In many cases, salon staff should be using hospital-grade disinfectants to properly clean their workspaces.

Read the original article on Business Insider