The best tanning bed cleaner is one that is designed specifically for tanning beds. It will contain both cleaning and sanitizing agents, or belong to a kit that provides these agents. The cleaner should prevent buildup that can block UVA and UVB rays, and for this reason some cleaners are designed specifically for a UVA or UVB tanning bed. Generally, cleaners are available as pre-mixed solutions, do-it-yourself (DIY) mixes, and cleaning kits. For information about properly cleaning all tanning bed components, consult the bed’s instruction manual.
A tanning bed cleaner should do more than just clean your tanning bed. It should also disinfect and sanitize the bed. This is especially important considering hair, sweat, and other bodily fluids, as well as tanning lotion build up, getting left behind after each tanning session. Of course, since there are various types of tanning beds, the parts that get touched and contaminated vary. Still, every tanning bed is a dirty tanning bed after it has been used.
Therefore, choosing a tanning bed cleaner with a disinfecting or sanitizing property is crucial. Regular water, even when mixed with soap, is not effective for cleaning a tanning bed. It can even harm the acrylic and other parts of the bed. Some tanning bed owners believe using water and white vinegar can properly clean and disinfect the bed, but in reality this mixture can also cause damage. Some manufacturers offer separate products for sanitizing and cleaning a tanning bed, but you might find it more convenient to purchase an all-in-one tanning bed cleaner and disinfectant.
Make sure the tanning bed cleaner you choose is made specifically for tanning beds. Other kinds of cleaners, like kitchen and bathroom cleaners, can damage your bed’s acrylic. Your body can absorb any cleaner left behind, and most cleaners designed for tanning beds prevent this risk. Take time to look for any cleaners designed specifically for a UVA tanning bed or a UVB tanning bed, as these cleaners are designed to prevent buildup that can cause UVA and UVB blockage. Any cleaner not designed specifically for tanning beds can cause buildup and prevent UVA and UVB rays from penetrating the acrylic.
Perhaps the most common cleaners on the market are pre-mixed cleaners, do-it-yourself (DIY) cleaner mixes, and tanning bed cleaner kits. Since they provide a cleaning agent you mix yourself with water and last longer, DIY cleaner mixes are ideal for a tanning bed salon. DIY mixes are usually sold in bulk and more affordable for salon owners than buying a separate cleaner for each tanning bed. Generally, pre-mixed cleaners and cleaner kits are best for personal tanning beds. Overall, they cost a bit more than DIY mixes, but since personal beds aren’t cleaned as often as salon beds, personal tanning bed owners don’t have to buy cleaning supplies as often.
As you shop for a tanning bed cleaner, keep in mind that the inside of your tanning bed isn’t the only part you’ll need to clean. You must also clean other parts, such as the fan, the bulbs, and the outside shell of the bed. Unlike the acrylic casing that touches the body, these parts don’t need to be cleaned on a daily basis. Too, many of them can be cleaned with either the same tanning bed cleaner you use for the acrylic or water, and some people regularly dust their fans with soft dusting clothes or dusting feathers to prevent the kind of dust buildup that requires a deep cleaning. Be sure to read your tanning bed’s instruction manual for the proper way to clean each of the bed’s components.