Keeping your nails clean and white is important for a lot of reasons. First, it can help you avoid getting infections in your fingers and toes. Second, it makes your nails look better and more professional. Third, keeping them white can help prevent dry cuticles that can get painful or even bleed.
So how do you keep under nails clean? We’ve got 9 amazing methods from lemon juice to homemade soaks.
9 Ways to Keep Under Nails Clean and White
1. Salt and lemon
Salt and lemon are one of the most effective, cheapest, and easiest ways to clean under your nails.
A little salt on a cotton ball will work wonders for cleaning up all those leftovers from last night’s dinner. A squeeze of lemon juice followed by some scrubbing will leave you with fresh-smelling cuticles that look great.
2. Baking soda
One of the easiest ways to keep your nails clean and white is by using baking soda. Baking soda is a great natural cleaner, and it can be used in many other ways around the house as well. It’s also inexpensive and easy to find, especially at grocery stores or drug stores.
3. Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent, so it will whiten your nails. It’s also a natural antiseptic and can be used to clean under the nails.
Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 3 parts water in a bowl until you get an opaque mixture (effectively a 50/50 ratio). Pour some of this solution into another bowl and soak your fingers for about 15 minutes; this will allow any grime or dirt to come out from under the nail. Rinse off your hands thoroughly with water, then dry them with paper towels or a clean towel.
4. The magic of toothpaste
To keep your nails white and clean, it’s important to know what products work best for you.
If you have trouble with yellowing or discoloration under your nails, try using non-gel toothpaste. This is not a joke it may sound strange but it works.
The key is to use a small amount of toothpaste and brush gently in one direction with a soft brush such as an old toothbrush or nail brush until the surface of the nail looks clean. You should rinse well after using this product so that there’s no residue left behind on your nails. And if needed, repeat every few days until things are back in order again.
5. Soap and water
The easiest way to keep your nails clean and white is with soap and water. It’s cheap, easy, and effective, and you can use it for many other cleaning tasks as well.
A quick wash under the faucet should be enough for most people. If you’re worried about germs or dirt in your nails after wearing gloves or working with chemicals, you might want to scrub them a little more thoroughly with soap.
6. Brush with a toothbrush
If you’re looking for an effective way to clean under your nails, a toothbrush is a perfect tool. Use it gently and don’t press too hard against the skin or cuticles.
You may also want to use a gentle nail brush from time to time, especially if you have been working with your hands and using chemicals in your work environment. It will remove any oil or grime that might have gotten on your nails.
7. Denture cleaner
Try using denture cleaner to keep your nails clean and white. Dentures are often made of acrylic, which is the same material some nail polish removers are made out of. If you have dentures, use them as a way to clean under your nails.
Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a few drops of denture cleaner to it. Your job will be easier if you use a bowl with steep sides so that it doesn’t spill over when you try to dip your fingers in it later on.
Soak each finger individually for about one minute before rinsing them off under running water and patting dry with paper towels or regular towels.
8. Lemon juice and soapy water
You can use lemon juice to clean your fingernails and keep them from turning yellow. This is because lemon juice is a natural bleach. In addition, it will help to remove any stains that are on your nails.
Soapy water will also help you out in this department by removing any dirt or other impurities from under your nails and by making sure there’s no leftover residue from the last time you cleaned them (which can cause staining). It also kills germs, which means it’s good for keeping your fingers nice and clean.
9. White vinegar
White vinegar is a natural disinfectant and can help you keep your under nails clean. It’s also a good alternative to nail polish remover, which may contain harsh chemicals that could irritate or dry out your nails.
Vinegar works by softening the nail varnish over time so that it loosens up, making it easier to remove the old coloring with just a few cotton balls and some warm water. The acidity in white vinegar also helps remove stains from your nails (such as tea, coffee, or red wine), while keeping them hydrated at the same time.
What to Soak Nails in to Clean Them
1. Nourishing oil
The reason oil helps is that it’s a solvent. Soaking your nails in oil lifts dirt and debris away from the nail plate so it can be more easily washed off. Oils also have emollient properties, which means they moisturize the skin and create an ideal environment for growing healthy nails that are less likely to chip or break.
Many people swear by olive oil as a way to soften their cuticles, but there are other options out there as well like jojoba oil or coconut oil, depending on what you have on hand. Just make sure that whatever you choose has no added fragrance or other ingredients that might irritate your skin.
2. Moisturizing Lotion
You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the moisturizing lotion. Essential oils are great for soothing and cleansing, so they’ll help you keep your nails clean and white as well. Here are some options:
Add a few drops of lemon juice to the mixture. This will give it an extra shine while keeping it moisturized. Use tea tree oil instead of moisturizing lotion in order to make sure that your nails remain fresh-smelling even after washing them off with soap and water (or hand sanitizer).
Add lavender oil if you want something more calming than fresh-smelling. Lavender is known for its relaxing properties; it will help calm down any irritation caused by brushing or scraping under those hard-to-reach areas between the skin around your fingernails and cuticles, too.
3. Zesty Lemon
The first step in keeping your nails clean and white is to soak them in a mixture of equal parts lemon juice and water. Soak your nails for about 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Finally, apply moisturizer to the nail beds and cuticles to keep them moisturized throughout the day.
4. Milk And Honey Soak
If you want to keep your nails healthy and white, a great way to do this is by soaking them in milk and honey. To make this soak, use a small bowl and add 1 teaspoon of honey and 1/2 teaspoon of milk to it.
Warm the mixture up for 30 seconds in the microwave before adding your fingers or toes. The combination of warm liquid and cold air will cause an immediate reaction (your body temperature is about 98 degrees F). Soak for five minutes then rinse with warm water when you’re done.
5. Egg Soak
Another great way to keep your nails clean and white is by using an egg soak. This method uses the whole egg, not just the yolk, and it’s especially helpful if you have sensitive skin. To begin, break up a fresh egg into a bowl of warm water (hot water will cook the egg).
Add a few drops of lemon juice for added whitening power. Soak your hands for 5 minutes with this mixture before washing them off with warm water. The apple cider vinegar in this recipe works as an anti-fungal agent against athlete’s foot and other unsanitary conditions that affect nails.
Why You Should Keep Under Nails White and Clean
1. It makes your nails tidy
Keeping your nails clean and white is more than just a good way to keep them looking neat and tidy; it’s also an effective way to prevent fungal infections, which can lead to painful skin ailments like athlete’s foot. The fungus that causes these infections thrives in dark, moist environments. Keeping your nails dry and clean will help keep them from becoming breeding grounds for bacteria or fungi.
2. Helps prevent infections
Keeping your nails clean is the best way to prevent infections. You can also apply a little bit of lotion around the cuticles of your hands, as well as use hand sanitizer before and after any dirty work you do around the house.
3. Helps avoid dry cuticles
Keeping your nails clean will help prevent dry cuticles. Dry, cracked skin around your nails can be painful and even cause infections. If you have cuticles that are constantly dry, brittle, or very thick, it’s time to start using a moisturizing cream on them. This will keep the skin around your nails from cracking or peeling off.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to keep under nails clean and white, why not give it a try? It’s not just good for your nails; it will also make your hands look beautiful. Keep in mind that some of these methods take time so they may not be ideal if you want instant results.
However, if you are willing to invest a little time into making sure that your hands look their best then we promise that these tips will help keep under nails white and clean for longer.