Keeping things clean

Hi everyone! I'm new and just getting started. I've painted faces as a volunteer for years but I just recently decided to start making some money at it.
My question is regarding sanitation. I read all the post here on the subject (and the entire 28 page thread about DFX) but I'm still not getting a clear picture on how to keep it 'clean'. If you're doing some detail work (for example) and you need to reload your brush or sponge with paint, aren't you spreading germs every time you reload? After you paint a face and change out the sponges and brushes, you're still left with paint pots that have that last kids germs in it...don't you?

From what people have said most brands of paint have something in them that kills all bacteria. And welcome to the forum! Feel free to post in the introductions page on the forum to introduce yourself!

Hi Blondie...welcome to the forum

I reckon germs are over rated personally, I call it immunity builders...
I only change my sponges when they are had it,, too much paint in them, which only really happens with my rainbow sponge on a very hot day. Some people change sponges every person. But i think you go through too much paint that way. Every one is different. You can buy some brush bath stuff which has the antibacterial properties, you can put a few drops into your brush water and your good to go. i have never had a parent complain with how I operate. Apparently the health and safety people think its alright to keep the same sponges also. As long as you are not paint over broken skin etc, and for the lips just use a Q tip and throw away afterwards, really the only harmful germs would come from the mouth and broken skin.
But hey i am one of those people that let their kids play in the mud and explore freely, dont get me wrong they are'nt filthy lookn kids and they bath regularly..But I have never been germ afraid I suppose..yes well thats my opinion any how. Happy decision making to ya.

I'm with freedspirit. I use the same stuff over and over again. I disinfect everything after a gig but not at it. I love certain brushes and I'm not willing to change for every person. I do the cotton tip for the mouth and if I have a sickly looking child I will retire their stuff and clean them before I start. I don't know, it doesn't really bother me, others are really bothered though so I don't know!

As long as you change your water often and don't paint on broken skin or sick kids, I think it's fairly safe to reuse sponges and brushes for multiple kids.

I saw a video where the guy scooped out paint and put what he needed on a plastic plate. I thought this may be a good idea but then again I dont want to waste any paint.

Ok, I'm good! I've been doing it right all along. As a volunteer you can pretty much get away with murder but I have been cleaning after each gig and washing my sponges afterward. I read about the guys who had 40 brushes and it scared me! I thought I needed to have separate brushes and sponges for each kid and then not re-enter your brush into the paint. Food handling, yes, but I'd be in trouble if I had to do all that on each kid I painted.
I'm just trying to convert from volunteer statis to getting paid for what I do. I've got the experience ..now I'm ready to make some money for my time. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

The basics of sanitary makeup are that makeup moves in one direction only... From the container, to the person- never back.

So, basically, you can use a brush once, and then set it aside to be washed, disinfected and dried- OR, you use a stainless steel or glass pallet, and scoop out just enough paint and put in on the clean pallet. Then work from that blob of makeup. You can then go back and forth as needed. Remember to either scoop out all your colors at once, or put them on seperate pallets.

You can make mini split cakes as needed, especially with Wolfe/DFX/Tag as they are waxy... Slice out a tiny wedge as needed, stick it to pallet, then next color then next... Mini split cake.

Once a brush, sponge, whatever has touched a person and/or pallet... the brush and pallet need to be washed and dried before they are used again.

Now, that's IF you want to be 100% sanitary and depending on the area you live in you might need to work in this fashion. Some places even require using only disposable applicators.

But, if there are not regulations in your area, it then becomes a matter of what are You and your customers comfortable with.

I use an ultrasonic cleaner and have multiples of everything I use. Many things visit the cleaner throughout the day, and then go by fan for dry time.

I think it depends on the area you live in..I know Canada and other places over seas have different rules..if you are in the United States ck with your area...