Nail fungus is embarrassing and can also be painful. People suffering from nail fungus may experience thickened, discolored, brittle, crumbly, or pitted toenails which may separate from the nail bed. People usually have issues with their toenails, which are exposed to wet and gloomy environments such as shoes, socks, and swimming pools. It is important for you to prevent nail fungus from spreading and to treat it as soon as possible. So “does boiling nail clippers kill fungus?”
Yes, boiling nail clippers can kill fungus. The best way to do this is to boil some water and then put the nail clippers in the water. If you want to try something else, you can use alcohol wipes or swabs to clean your nail clippers before using them again. This will also kill any bacteria or fungus that might be present.
Why You Should Disinfect Your Nail Clippers
Fungi and bacteria can thrive in the environment created by nail clippers. It can be introduced to your nails, or reintroduced, causing nail fungus. It can also induce a bacterial infection in any cracks or cuts surrounding the nails.
Because of the high prevalence of nail fungus, one out of every ten people has it. If you’re one of the 10% of the population who has a nail fungal infection (and up to 50% of those over 70) the last thing you want to do is spread it to other nails! After months of attempting to get rid of nail fungus, you don’t want to re-infect your nails.
Using filthy nail clippers can trigger a fungal infection even if you don’t have one. On our skin and nails, there are constantly bacteria and fungi. It’s perfectly natural. Fungi, on the other hand, will thrive and thrive in a damp and warm environment. A fungal infection can result from an overabundance of fungi, which is difficult to conceal.
As a result, sterilizing your nail clippers is quite crucial.
How Long Does Nail Fungus Live on Clippers?
Most nail fungi are very hardy, and some can live for years even in the absence of a host. It’s not the clippers that directly carry the fungus to your nails, but rather the spores get caught in the crevices of the clippers and then spread to your nails.
The good news is that most types of nail fungus grow slowly, so unless you’re clipping your nails every day, it will take a long time for any infection to set in. Even then, you should be able to avoid getting nail fungus if you sterilize your clippers with rubbing alcohol after each use.
If you’re worried about getting nail fungus from your clippers, or if you already know that you have an infection, store them in an area where they won’t be exposed to the air before using them again.
How to Disinfect Nail Clippers From Fungus
Nail clippers can be cleaned in a variety of ways. Common household products can be used to disinfect nail clippers. However, you must clean your nail clippers first before disinfecting and sterilizing them. After washing your hands, properly clean the nail clippers with soap and water, removing any debris.
Using a cotton swab, scrub brush, or even a toothbrush (the one you’ve designated specifically for this purpose, of course) makes it simpler to get into the little crevices of your nail clipper. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a paper towel or tissue.
Here are some simple ways to keep your nail clippers disinfected at home:
1. Wash with soap and water
To properly disinfect your clippers using this method, wash the blades in warm soapy water for about a full minute, paying special attention to the hinge where bacteria can accumulate. Rinse the blades well with hot water, dry with a clean towel or paper towels and you’re done!
If it’s possible to remove the blade from its housing, do so — it’s easier to disinfect separately. To clean the blade housing, wipe with a damp soft cloth soaked in soap and warm water. Allow both parts to air-dry completely before putting them back together.
2. Boil the clipper
Boiling is an effective way to kill microorganisms because it denatures their proteins and enzymes. Place the nail clippers in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. Let them cool completely before taking them out of the pot. Dry thoroughly with a clean towel and store in a safe area.
3. Use Isopropyl Alcohol
It’s recommended that you use 70% alcohol. for this process. Soak your nail clippers in a bowl filled with isopropyl alcohol for a few minutes. Then, rinse them with warm water and dry them with a paper towel or let air dry before using. This method makes the most sense because it kills germs without damaging the metal blades of your nail clippers.
4. Wipe down with Bleach
You can also use a bleach solution to wipe down your nail clippers. Bleach is a fantastic disinfectant in general. After each usage, it is recommended to soak the equipment in bleach.
Simply mix 1 teaspoon of bleach with 1 cup of water and apply it directly to your clippers with a cotton swab. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water and letting them dry naturally.
5. Soak in hydrogen peroxide
This is a common way to disinfect nail clippers. Whether you use regular hydrogen peroxide or a solution made with hydrogen peroxide, soak your clippers for 10 to 20 minutes, then rinse them off with cold water.
5. Disinfectant for use in hospitals
In many places, this has been used to disinfect nail equipment in nail salons. Because each variety differs, it’s critical to read the instructions on the bottles to determine how long they should be immersed.
6. Soak in vinegar
Vinegar is an excellent natural disinfectant for cleaning dirty surfaces, especially since it also can dissolve dirt easily. You can mix it with water and then soak your nail clippers in it for 10 minutes before washing them with water and soap afterward.
7. Use of Barbicide
Barbicide is a sanitizing solution used by barbers to sanitize their tools, such as scissors, hair clippers, razors, and so on. This aids in the fight against germs and fungus. This product can also be used to disinfect nail clippers and other nail equipment.
8. Use a citric acid solution
Citric acid is a natural anti-microbial agent and can be used to clean and disinfect items like nail clippers. To use citric acid, add 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of powdered citric acid or 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of lemon juice to 1 cup (250 mL) of water. Mix well, then soak the nail clippers for 5 minutes before rinsing them off and drying them with a towel.
9. Use of UV lights
When it comes to instrument disinfection, having a UV light is a huge help. The microorganisms, as well as any reproductive pathogens, die after only 45 minutes of UV exposure.
How Often Should Nail Clippers Be Sterilized?
After each usage, sanitize your nail clippers. Also, if you want to keep a present fungal infection from spreading to other nails, make sure you cut the fungus-infected nails last. The clippers should then be sterilized.
Nail clippers, like your toothbrush or loofah sponge, should be considered a personal hygiene tool. You wouldn’t give them to anyone else. You should also avoid sharing nail clippers. But, let’s be honest, if you live in a family house, you’re not going to have one nail clipper for each family member (although it would be great). It’s much more crucial to sterilize nail clippers after each use at this point.
What Kills Toenail Fungus on Clippers?
Soaking them in rubbing alcohol. Toenail fungus is a common problem and one that can be especially hard to treat. But have you ever wondered why? One of the reasons is that it’s often contracted by nail clippers used on infected toenails.
Try soaking your clippers in rubbing alcohol every time you finish using them. It might not make a huge difference for the people who already have fungal infections, but for those of us who are trying to avoid getting them, it’s a simple yet effective way to ward off potential problems in the future.
Which Nail Clippers Should You Use?
There are a lot of nail clippers on the market these days. While nail clippers with a rubber “comfort grip” or a plastic “ergonomic design” may appear to be neat, the fundamental issue with many of the rubber coatings and plastic casings is that they may not be able to take 20 minutes of boiling water without melting or deforming.
Rubber and various polymers are also degraded by alcohol and bleach. It’s advisable to stay with nail clippers made completely of metal because they’re easier to clean.
Stainless steel nail clippers are more durable. After reviewing the various nail clippers on the market, here’s a selection of high-quality tools that have received positive feedback from customers:
1. Set of Harperton Nail Clippers
With good cause, the Harperton nail clippers set is an “Amazon’s Choice” product. It’s simple to understand why, with over 23,150 ratings, 78 percent of which are 5-star evaluations. Its most praised features are its perfectly-aligned, sharp cutting blades that make exact cuts without bending or tearing, as well as its sturdiness.
2. SZQHT Wide Jaw Opening Nail Clippers
The SZQHT Wide Jaw Opening Nail Clippers are also an “Amazon Choice,” and solve a common criticism that other nail clippers don’t open wide enough to clip extra-thick toenails. This nail clipper is sharp and has an extra-wide opening to clip even the thickest of nails. It also comes with a storage bag and tin.
3. Kohm KP-700 Toenail Clippers for Thick/Ingrown Nails
The Kohm KP-700 Toenail Clippers’ durable stainless steel structure makes them a fan favorite, not only because of their sharp cutting edges and a slanted blade that opens wide but also because the blade design allows it to reach regions that regular clippers can’t.
4. MUJI Nail Clippers
Many people are raving about these little, but formidable clippers, which they bought for their small size as a travel emergency pair but have ended up utilizing them as their go-to clippers since they are well-built, sharp, and cut well without tearing or leaving ragged edges.
Does alcohol kill fungus on nail clippers?
Yes, alcohol does kill fungi on nail clippers. This can be attributed to the fact that alcohol has a high antiseptic property. Alcohol kills the fungi because it interrupts the cell cycle and prevents them from growing.
Does hydrogen peroxide kill fungus on nail clippers?
Yes, hydrogen peroxide can kill fungus on nail clippers. Hydrogen peroxide is the best way to clean fungus from nail clippers. The hydrogen peroxide kills the fungus and neutralizes the places that would otherwise harbor it.
Does rubbing alcohol kill fungus on nail clippers?
Yes, rubbing alcohol kill fungus on nail clippers. All you need to do is soak your nail clippers in rubbing alcohol for about 20-30 minutes and you are good.
Does barbicide kill toenail fungus?
Yes, barbicide kills toenail fungus. Barbicide, which is a brand of disinfectant, uses ethanol as its active ingredient. Just apply it to the affected area daily, and you'll start seeing results in a matter of weeks.
Conclusion
Boiling your nail clippers is one way to make sure that you are getting rid of the fungus. Assuming that you’ve purchased new nail clippers and not used them, it’s a good idea to clean them before the first time you use them. You might already know that disinfecting the nail clippers after each use is the best practice, but boiling does the same thing as well.
In the end, boiling your nail clippers is a simple solution to prevent fungus from growing on them. It also allows you to disinfect nail clippers that are covered in paint and grime from other DIY projects around the house.