Which of the following is the next step after removing all hair from a brush during a disinfection procedure?

• A. Dry brush thoroughly
• B. Wash brush with soap and water
• C. Store brush in a dry, covered container
• D. Immerse brush in a disinfecting solution

Answer: (B)

Cleaning before disinfection is the key idea here. After removing hair, the brush still carries oils, dirt, and hair residue. Washing with soap and water physically removes these substances, which is essential because a disinfectant can only work effectively on clean surfaces. If you skip this cleaning step and go straight to disinfection, the remaining debris can shield microbes and reduce the disinfectant’s effectiveness.

Drying thoroughly, storing in a dry container, or saving disinfection for later steps would come after you’ve cleaned the brush. Those steps don’t address the immediate need to remove debris that could interfere with proper disinfection.