How to Clean Your Nails Effectively

Cleaning your fingernails properly isn't just a matter of looking good. It can affect your health. Did you know that your fingernails carry bacteria and germs beneath them? When you scratch or bite your nails, you transfer those germs to your mouth or get them under your skin, and the result can be a nasty infection. Here's how to clean your nails effectively.

Things You'll Need

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Orange stick
• Cotton pads
• Soap
• Stim-U-Dent plastic tooth cleaners
• Soft toothbrush or nail brush
• Dishwashing liquid

Instructions

Everyday Nail Cleaning

1. When you wash your hands, be sure to massage the soap lightly into the area around your nails and cuticles, then rinse well.

2. Rub moisturizer onto your hands, rubbing some around your nails and into your cuticles.

3. Soak your nails in soapy water for five minutes once a day. After the soak, lightly scrub the surface and undersides of your nails with a soft-bristled nail brush.

4. Clean under your nails when needed with a cotton-wrapped orange stick or a gentle plastic tooth cleaner such as Stim-U-Dent.

For Really Grungy Nails

1. Wear gloves when gardening and doing dirty work around the house. Prevention is the best nail cleaning there is.

2. Soak nails in a solution of dishwashing liquid and warm water to loosen grease and dirt from nails after working on cars or in the garden.

3. Scrub nails lightly with a soft toothbrush. Avoid hard, plastic nail brushes that just push dirt deeper beneath your nails.

4. Use a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide to clean away stubborn stains and whiten nails.

Toenails Need Love, Too

1. Keep toenails trimmed and always wear socks with shoes and sneakers.

2. Soak your feet in warm water and Epsom salts once a week.

3. Lightly scrub the surface of your toenails with a soft brush.

4. Use an orange stick tipped with cotton to clean under each toenail.

5. Gently push back toenail cuticles with a cotton-wrapped orange stick.

6. Finish by rubbing moisturizer into your nails.

Tips & Warnings

• Use soft-bristled brushes to clean the surface of your nails and beneath them.

• You'll find that fingernails come really clean when you wash your hair. Shampoo is a great degreaser, and often contains moisturizers that will do your nails and cuticles good.

• Avoid using sharp instruments to clean under your nails.

• Never dig beneath your nails with a sharp or pointed instrument to remove dirt. It will just push the dirt deeper and may tear your skin beneath the nail.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish