Pedicure Tubs

The basic requirement of pedicure tubs is that they can hold your feet and enough water to cover them. The term tub is usually used to describe basic, plain vessels while the term pedicure bowl usually means a more elegant vessel and the terms pedicure spa, pedicure foot spa and foot bath are usually meant to describe apparatus with additional mechanical and electrical features such as massaging rollers and heating elements.

Pedicure Tubs can be made out a wide range of materials and can refer to a wide variety of different shaped vessels. Most types are just plain, rectangular or circular vessels that do the minimum of holding water and are made out of any material that is both hygienic and watertight. Plastic is the least expensive and most common that you’ll probably find. Others are actually inflatable and some can have disposable liners you can toss after each use (very hygienic).

The term tub is also often used to describe plumbed pedicure sinks or basins that are usually recessed into floors of establishments much like the sinks in your kitchen and bathroom. They are normally outfitted with features such as circulating pumps, bubble jets, jet massagers and many of the same functions found in Jacuzzis. Some are without pipes while others require that they be installed by a licensed plumber (in some cases an electrician also). These can cost hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars. They are normally found in salons and spas.

These plumbed pedicure tubs/sinks however are known to pass on infections to people using them, so you should be very careful where you use one. If these units are not washed regularly and the filters not cleaned, bacteria can build up to high levels. If you aren’t sure about the cleanliness of a plumbed pedicure sink, you will be a lot better off opting to use a portable unit or a standing water unit that can be more easily cleaned and disinfected or just going someplace else.

Deaths have occurred as well as nasty infections that can result in amputation due to infections contracted from plumbed pedicure sinks and other pedicure vessels with devices that circulate water. So cleanliness is of utmost importance when using a unit that cycles water over and over.

Of course this description is not a definitive one. Many people will often use the terms tubs, bowls and sinks interchangeably, but from observation this description is usually on target.

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