Whether you’re a beginner or not, nail lamps are essential in every nail enthusiast's journey. These nail lamps are equipped to cure and dry your gel polishes within a minute or so. Since they are used almost every day in nail salons, we should keep in mind the importance of giving these lamps our utmost care. An uncleaned nail lamp can cause sanitation problems and reduce its effectiveness. It’s time to include nail lamp cleaning in your daily or weekly routine! Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning your UV/LED nail lamps carefully. Step 1: Prepare all cleaning tools and materials Before you begin, it’s best to prepare all the needed cleaning materials. If you want to save time and easy access, we recommend dedicating and labeling a box or container where you can store all of the cleaning materials for your nail lamp. Cleaning Materials:• Lint-Free Towel• 70% Isopropyl Alcohol• Gloves• Cotton Swabs Step 2: Turn off and unplug the lamp For your safety, ensure that your hands are dry from any nail product or after washing them. Proceed with turning off the lamp completely before unplugging it from the socket. Step 3: Let the nail lamp cool down Allow your nail lamp to cool down first before touching both the interior and exterior. This reduces the risk of minor electric shocks and burns especially if you just finished using the lamp. Check it out once in a while to confirm whether it’s cool to the touch. Step 4: Remove any accessories/removable parts Carefully remove the accessories or removable parts, like the steel tray or charger. Removing such parts will give you more space to work around, helping you clean every nook and cranny of the nail lamp. It could also avoid little accidents given that some parts might slide or fall off. Take note: Do not attempt to disassemble the lamp in any form or way because it voids the warranty of your equipment. Focus on those that are intended to be removable. Step 5: Clean the lamp interior Start by wearing your gloves to prevent flakey or dry hands caused by the alcohol. Then, turn the lamp upside down to have a full view of the nail lamp’s interior. When cleaning the interior with a 70% Isopropyl Alcohol-dampened lint-free towel, remember to use a gentle force to avoid any scratches or damage to the lights. If you find any accumulation of dirt or gel products around the bulbs, wipe the affected area with a cotton swab soaked in 70% Isopropyl Alcohol. Step 6: Clean the lamp exterior For the exterior, continue to use a lint-free towel that’s been dampened in 70% Isopropyl Alcohol, and be extra careful with the screen and logos. To prevent mishaps, make sure you won't inadvertently touch the ON/OFF switch when cleaning the exterior. Please do not use anything that could harm your lamp such as acetone and water. Acetone can melt a layer of your nail lamp’s screen, creating a sticky and foggy white gunk that’s irreversible. We recommend alcohol-based products instead of water-based due to their quick drying effect and ability to work with sensitive electronics. Step 7: Clean the accessories/removable parts Next is the cleaning of the lamp's accessories or removable parts. Parts like the Steel Tray and Charger should not be neglected as they are also important parts of your nail lamp. They can be cleaned using the same method of wiping gently with a 70% Isopropyl Alcohol-dampened lint-free towel. Pro Tip: After each client, check and clean the inside of your nail lamp (particularly the Steel Tray) to guarantee proper sanitation and no gel buildup. Step 8: Airdry the lamp and other parts The process of drying helps remove moisture and preserve the quality of the nail lamp. After the cleaning process, let your lamp and its accessories sit and air dry for a short period. This is to ensure that the interior, exterior, and all the other parts have dried up and are ready to use. Step 9: Reattach the accessories/removable parts Carefully reattach the accessories or removable parts such as the cleaned Steel Tray. Secure them back in their proper place, then set up the nail lamp for testing. Pro Tip: If you want to be sure that you’ve put them back correctly, we suggest taking “before and after” photos. Step 10: Test the nail lamp Finally, turn on the lamp and see if the battery is sufficiently charged. To verify that the charger functions properly, plug the power adapter into the nearest socket and put the other end on the charging port. The best method to test a nail lamp after cleaning is by curing a gel polish over a clear nail tip. But if there’s not enough time, you can quickly insert your hand inside the lamp and check if everything is working in order. One of the biggest factors that affect customer retention is a nail salon’s ability to maintain cleanliness and sanitation. Furthermore, our work ethic and personality are reflected in how we take care of our equipment. If you want to keep the durability and quality of your lamp, we encourage you to set aside time to clean your UV/LED nail lamp. Need to initiate a repair or further troubleshooting for your lamp? Contact us at cs@igelbeauty.com and our Repair Specialist will keep in touch with you. Join our wonderful iGel Beauty Facebook Community as well for more tips and tutorials! Remember, cleaning your nail lamp is a simple way to take of yourself and your clients. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Written by Alyssa Bueno Alyssa Bueno, a true beauty enthusiast, brings her passion for writing and beauty to life as a writer for iGel Beauty. With diverse editorial background and industry expertise, Alyssa curates tutorials, tips, and trends to inspire nail lovers worldwide.
