Winter, in particular, is known for being difficult, thanks to the cold, the snow, and other climate-related challenges. As a barber, these factors can make storing your barbering products more difficult than in the other seasons.
Whether certain products will sit on the shelf during the winter months or they’re sensitive to dips in temperature, it’s important to know how to properly store barbering products during this season. Luckily, keeping your products in peak condition through the cold winter months is easy with a bit of preparation.
Everything to Know About Proper Barbering Storage
Why Proper Barbering Products Storage Matters
Storage is storage, right? After all, we’re talking about hair and skincare products, not radioactive materials.
While some products are more resilient than others, proper storage in the cold does make a difference for many hair and skincare products. Failing to prepare and store these products the right way can lead to negative outcomes, including the following.
Expiration and Loss of Effectiveness
Proper storage is essential if you are storing products for an extended period of time. Aside from checking labels to ensure the products will not expire during the period of non-use, keeping them at room temperature in the correct containers is essential.
Products that are not kept in the right way can spoil, making them ineffective or not usable in the long term. When you have invested your hard-earned funds into such products, not utilizing them to their maximum potential can hurt your business.
Improper Storage Can Mean Lost Money
When stored improperly, your barbering products can cost you a significant amount of money. A portion of your budget goes toward maintaining the right stock of products—both commercial and retail—to perform your services and sell to your customers. Any time that stock is wasted, you lose money.
By properly storing your hair and skincare products in the winter, you avoid this potential loss, ensuring that your dollar is used to its maximum potential.
Proper Barbering Product Winter Storage
Staying organized and prepared as winter arrives is key to running a tight barbershop and preventing your products from fading. All it takes is a bit of effort and know-how to ensure all of your barbering products stay fresh and in perfect condition as the cold weather closes in.
Keep the Temperature Consistent
The primary concern during the winter is the plunging temperature. Accounting for these colder months means closely considering the temperature of the location where you are keeping your barbering products.
Ideally, you want to keep your hair and skincare products at room temperature. This is defined as temperatures that fall between 68- and 75-degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures not only that the products aren’t damaged or separated by low temperatures but also that they’re ready to go when you need them. The cold can change the viscosity of barbering products, making them too thick to use until they warm up to proper levels.
Use the Correct Container
When storing your barbering products for winter, you need to select the correct container for the job. While the exact container will depend on the product in question, there are a few universal rules you can apply to your decision.
Make sure that all containers seal tightly to limit exposure to air, moisture, and contaminants. Additionally, try to keep containers sized properly to limit the space between the product and the lid. Excess airspace creates the potential for issues to develop.
Don’t Overlook Dates
Before you stow away your barbering products for the season—especially those you don’t use frequently—be sure to check their dates. While most products have long lives, it never hurts to confirm that they won’t technically expire while sitting on your shelf.
Environment is Everything
The winter cold may be the main concern when storing products, but you shouldn’t overlook other environmental factors. Moisture is another extremely important element to consider, as it can lead to mold and mildew if left unchecked. UV light, too, can harm your barbering products.
In addition to storing products at room temperature, take care to keep them out of direct sunlight and in a dry location. The latter may be more difficult in some places than others, so invest in a dehumidifier if absolutely necessary.
Protecting your barbering products is vital. It makes the most of your investment and makes sure your daily operations run smoothly. Thankfully, it’s relatively easy to keep your hair and skincare products safe during the winter.
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