All shampoo capes, hair clothes, or similar articles used for draping must be:

• A. Washed after each client
• B. Stored in a closed cabinet
• C. Dry cleaned after each client
• D. Used with paper neck strip, or clean towel

Answer: (D)

Maintaining a barrier at the neck is the essential hygienic practice for draping. Using a disposable paper neck strip or a clean towel creates a clean layer between the client’s skin and the cape, preventing transfer of hair, oils, moisture, and microbes from one client to the next. This direct barrier at the contact point is what protects both client comfort and sanitation. While laundering capes and proper storage are important parts of overall cleanliness, they don’t address the critical need to prevent direct skin contact with the cape at the neck.