01
Salon Opening Procedures
Alarm check, geyser and UV steriliser startup, mirror and station cleaning, towel stock count, POS testing, appointment review, and reception setup before the first client.
Salon & Spa Daily Operations Checklist for Indian Businesses
70+ tasks for running a salon that clients trust and keep coming back to. Daily routines, weekly deep-cleans, and monthly compliance checks. Covers hygiene, sterilisation, client service, GST billing, inventory, staff management, and closing security. Updated June 2026.
- 8 sections plus a 1-page daily quick reference you can print and laminate
- Tool sterilisation protocols, patch test documentation, and sharps disposal
- GST at 5% on services (SAC 999721), PF/ESI thresholds, and Shops & Establishments Act compliance
No spam. Instant download link to your
email.
Petpooja presents
Salon & Spa Daily Operations Checklist
For Indian Salons & Spas
70+
Tasks · PDF Checklist
FY 2025-26
What's Inside
8 sections covering your salon's entire day.
02
Hygiene and Sterilisation
Tool sterilisation between every client (UV, Barbicide, autoclave), fresh capes and towels, floor sweeping after every cut, sharps disposal, chemical storage, and patch test protocol.
03
Client Service and Experience
2-minute greeting, pre-service consultation, allergy and preference checks, pricing transparency, feedback collection, complaint logging, and after-care advice.
04
Billing and GST Compliance
GST at 5% on salon services (SAC 999721, no ITC since Sep 2025), product sales at 18%, sequential invoicing, Rs 2 lakh cash cap, tip handling, and end-of-day Z-report.
05
Inventory and Product Management
Daily consumable checks (colour tubes, developer, disposables), expiry tracking, per-service usage logging, locked storage for professional products, towel/linen counts, and weekly stocktakes.
06
Staff Management and Scheduling
Attendance, daily briefings, stylist-to-appointment matching, commission tracking, S&E Act working hour limits, PF/ESI thresholds, weekly off roster, and POSH compliance.
07
Salon Maintenance and Safety
Weekly deep-clean rotation, pest control, AC filter cleaning, electrical appliance inspection, hair waste disposal, sharps container handover, and chemical waste management.
08
Salon Closing and Security
Final cash settlement, revenue recording, tool sterilisation, appliance shutdown (straighteners, dryers, geysers), product cabinet locking, CCTV check, safe deposit, alarm, and signed closing checklist.
Why This Matters
Your Salon Runs on Trust
A salon in Pune uses the same comb on three clients without sterilising. A spa in Bangalore skips the patch test and a client has an allergic reaction to hair colour. A unisex salon in Delhi doesn't file GST returns for two quarters and gets a notice. None of these are hypothetical. They happen every week in Indian salons.
Clients trust you with their hair, skin, and appearance. That trust breaks the moment they see hair on the floor from the last client, a dirty cape, or a tool that wasn't cleaned. Once a client leaves unhappy, they don't complain. They just don't come back. And they tell five friends.
Indian salons also have specific compliance requirements. Every service you bill must carry GST at 5% under SAC code 999721 (reduced from 18% in Sep 2025). Used razor blades are classified as biomedical waste under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016. If you have 10+ employees, ESI and POSH compliance kick in. PF becomes mandatory at 20+. Read about POSH training requirements for salons with female-majority teams. Your staff's working hours are capped by the state's Shops and Establishments Act.
This checklist covers all of it. 70+ tasks organised into 8 sections, from the moment the steriliser is switched on to the moment the alarm is armed. Print the daily quick reference page, laminate it, and put it at the reception desk. Updated June 2026.
Sample Tasks
A few tasks from inside the checklist.
Here's a snapshot from different sections of the checklist:
Hygiene: Sterilise scissors, combs, clips, and brushes after every client. Minimum: disinfect in Barbicide for 10 minutes. Better: UV steriliser for 20 minutes.
Client Service: Patch test offered and documented before any chemical service. Record the product name, batch number, test date, and result.
Billing: Every service generates a GST-compliant invoice with SAC code 999721 at 5% (no ITC). Product retail sales at 18%.
Safety: Used razors and blades disposed in a puncture-proof sharps container. Never throw loose blades in regular dustbins.
Closing: All heating appliances switched off: dryers, straighteners, curling irons, steamers, geysers. Walk through every station.
... plus 65+ more tasks covering opening procedures, inventory, staff scheduling, maintenance, and security.
Key Stats
Numbers every salon owner should know.
5%
GST rate on beauty and salon services since Sep 22, 2025 (SAC 999721). No input tax credit available at this rate. Product retail sales remain at 18%. The old 18% with ITC option has been removed.
Source: CGST Notification 15/2025-Central Tax (Rate)20 for PF
PF registration is mandatory at 20+ employees. ESI kicks in at 10 employees if individual salary is under Rs 21,000/month. Calculate your ESI costs here. POSH compliance is also required at 10+ employees.
Source: EPF & MP Act 1952, ESI Act 1948, POSH Act 201348 hrs/week
Maximum working hours for salon staff under most states' Shops and Establishments Act. Overtime at 2x the hourly rate. One weekly off is mandatory, no exceptions.
Source: State Shops & Establishments Acts
Common Mistakes
7 Salon Mistakes That Cost Clients
01
Reusing tools without sterilising between clients
A comb or scissors used on one client and handed directly to the next is a hygiene violation that can spread fungal infections, lice, and worse. Sterilise every tool between every client. No exceptions. A UV steriliser cycle takes 20 minutes and costs nothing to run.
02
Skipping the patch test before hair colour
PPD (paraphenylenediamine) in hair dye causes allergic reactions in 1-2% of people. Reactions range from mild itching to severe swelling and hospitalisation. A 24-hour patch test behind the ear takes 30 seconds and protects both the client and your business from liability.
03
Throwing used razor blades in regular dustbins
Used blades are biomedical waste under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016. They must go in a puncture-proof sharps container and be collected by an authorised waste handler. A staff member or garbage collector getting cut by a loose blade is a serious liability.
04
Not charging or filing GST correctly
Salon services attract 5% GST (SAC 999721) since Sep 2025. Many salons either don't charge GST, charge the wrong rate, or collect it but don't file returns. Two missed GST return filings in a row and your GSTIN can be suspended. Use our free GST calculator to verify amounts before filing.
05
Leaving straighteners and dryers plugged in overnight
Salons have the highest electrical appliance density of any small business. A straightener left on at 200°C after the last client leaves is a fire waiting to happen. The closing checklist must include a station-by-station appliance shutdown. Every night.
06
No client records for allergies and preferences
A regular client comes in for a colour touch-up. The stylist uses a different brand than last time. The client has a reaction. If you'd recorded the product and shade from the first visit, this wouldn't happen. Even a simple register with client name, allergies, and service history prevents repeat mistakes.
07
Surprise pricing at the billing counter
The stylist suggests a deep conditioning treatment during a haircut. The client agrees, assuming it's included. At billing, there's a Rs 500 extra charge. The client pays but never comes back. Always quote the price before starting any additional service. Always.
Comparison
Running a Salon: Memory vs Checklist.
| Aspect | Without a Checklist | With This Checklist |
|---|---|---|
| Tool hygiene | Sterilised "when someone remembers" | Sterilised after every client, logged |
| Patch tests | Skipped unless client asks | Mandatory, documented with consent |
| GST billing | Wrong rate or no invoice | 5% on SAC 999721, every service |
| Inventory | Run out of colour mid-appointment | Daily consumable check, weekly stocktake |
| Staff scheduling | Peak hours understaffed | Stylist-to-appointment matching daily |
| Closing safety | Straightener left on overnight | Station-by-station shutdown checklist |
| Client experience | Hair on floor, dirty cape | Fresh setup for every client |
Run your salon like a top chain.
Download the checklist, print the daily quick reference, and put it at the reception desk today.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
What type of salons is this checklist for?
It works for any salon or spa in India: unisex salons, ladies-only parlours, men's barbershops, bridal studios, skin clinics, and day spas. The 8 sections (opening, hygiene, client service, billing, inventory, staff, maintenance, closing) apply across all formats. Spa-specific tasks like treatment room setup are included alongside standard salon tasks like haircut station cleanup. If your salon has 10+ employees, you'll also need a POSH policy, which this checklist covers in the staff section.
What's the GST rate for salon services in India?
Since Sep 22, 2025, beauty and salon services are taxed at 5% GST without input tax credit under the CGST Notification 15/2025. The old 18% with ITC option has been removed. SAC code 999721 covers hairdressing, 999722 for manicure/pedicure, and 999729 for other beauty treatments. Product retail sales (shampoo, serum, etc.) remain at 18%. The checklist covers invoicing requirements for both service and product billing.
How should salons dispose of used razor blades?
Used razors and blades are classified as biomedical waste under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016. They must be collected in a puncture-proof, leak-proof sharps container (usually yellow or white). When the container is three-quarters full, seal it and hand it over to an authorised biomedical waste collector. Your municipal corporation can provide a list of authorised collectors. Check the CPCB biomedical waste portal for rules and collector directories. Never throw loose blades in regular dustbins.
Do I need to do a patch test before every hair colour service?
Yes, best practice is a skin patch test 24-48 hours before any chemical service (colour, straightening, perming). Apply a small amount of the product behind the ear or on the inner elbow. Document the product name, batch number, date, and result. If the client is a regular using the same product, some salons still test annually. If a client refuses the test, get their written consent. This protects both the client and your business.
Does PF and ESI apply to salons?
PF becomes mandatory once your salon has 20 or more employees (Section 1(3), EPF Act). Smaller salons can register voluntarily. PF contributions are 12% each from employer and employee. ESI applies at 10+ employees if individual salary is under Rs 21,000/month (employee pays 0.75%, employer pays 3.25%). Use our free employee cost calculator to see the full cost per staff member. Our PF & ESI Compliance Checklist covers all the filing deadlines and calculations. The Labour Law Compliance Checklist covers the broader requirements. PF and ESI compliance both need accurate attendance records. Here's a guide to fingerprint attendance systems for small businesses.
About Petpooja
Petpooja is India's leading SME business software suite, trusted by 1,50,000+ businesses across restaurants, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and more. From billing and payroll to task management and procurement, Petpooja helps Indian businesses run better, every day.
Turn this checklist into a daily automated workflow.
Petpooja Tasks digitises your salon's daily checklist with photo proof, AI verification, real-time completion tracking, and WhatsApp reminders. 150+ pre-built templates. One plan, unlimited users.
Book a Free Demo
Call: +91-63589 16474