Caleb Foster
Long natural nails can be difficult to maintain, but keeping them clean is an essential part of hygiene and self-care. Nails are magnets for dirt, grime, and grease, and without proper care, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria and infections. To keep your long nails clean, you can try various methods such as regular handwashing with mild, natural soap and warm water, using a nail brush or an orangewood stick to clean underneath the nails, and soaking your nails in a mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water for a deep clean. Maintaining nail strength is also crucial, and this can be done by taking breaks from nail polish, overlays, and artificial nail treatments, as well as nourishing your nails and cuticles with moisturizing balms and oils. With the right care, your long natural nails can be healthy and strong, enhancing your overall look and well-being.
How to Clean Long Natural Nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Remove dirt | Scrape underneath your fingernails to remove dirt. |
| Soak nails | Soak fingertips in warm water for 3 minutes. |
| Use a nail brush | Scrub nails with a nail brush. |
| Apple cider vinegar | Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and warm water in a bowl. Soak fingertips in the mixture for 20 minutes. |
| Baking soda and peroxide | Mix baking soda and peroxide to create a thick paste and spread it on your nails. Wait for the paste to dry and harden, then wash it off. |
| Clean under nails | Use an orangewood stick to sweep visible dirt out from underneath your nails. |
| Wash hands | Wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water. |
| Moisturize | Apply cuticle oil, coconut oil, aloe, cocoa butter, or tea tree oil to your nails. |
| Tea tree oil | Use tea tree oil to treat yellow nails. |
| Lemon juice | Apply lemon juice to nails to help whiten them. |
| Denture-cleaning solution | Use denture-cleaning solution to clean, whiten, and improve the look of your nails. |
| Nail-specific soap | Wash your hands with a mild, natural, nail-specific soap. |
| Moisturizing balm | Apply a moisturizing balm to your cuticles, nails, and skin to promote nail strength and hydration. |
| Exfoliate | Use a glycolic prep pen to exfoliate the nail bed and cuticles. |
| Remove dead skin | Use a tri-grit priming wand to remove damaged nail cells. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a nail brush or orangewood stick to clean underneath nails
Using a nail brush or orangewood stick is an effective way to clean underneath long natural nails. These tools help remove dirt, grime, and grease that can accumulate under nails. Here are some detailed steps on how to use these tools:
Using a Nail Brush:
Start by mixing soap into a bowl of warm water. Any kind of soap will do, but liquid soap blends better. Dip the nail brush into this soapy water, ensuring the bristles are fully saturated. Angle the brush downwards towards your hand and gently push the bristles under your nail. You can brush each nail individually for a thorough clean, or you can do your index finger to your pinky finger simultaneously. Scrub side-to-side to remove any stubborn dirt. Remember to regularly dip the brush back into the soapy water to keep it clean and moist.
Using an Orangewood Stick:
Orangewood sticks are also effective in cleaning under long nails. Start by gently pressing the edge of the stick under your fingernail. Then, slide the stick from one corner to the other, pushing out any dirt and debris. Wipe the dislodged grime onto a napkin and repeat this process for each nail. Ensure you use a new orangewood stick for each nail to maintain proper hygiene.
Additional Tips:
For an even deeper clean, try soaking your fingertips in warm water for about three minutes before using the nail brush or orangewood stick. This will soften your nails, making them more pliable and less prone to chipping or breaking during the cleaning process. Remember to always be gentle when cleaning under your nails to avoid accidentally breaking the skin.
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Soak nails in apple cider vinegar and warm water
To clean long natural nails, one method is to soak them in a mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water. This is a natural way to clean your nails, and it can also help to treat any fungus or infections caused by cracked nails or hanging cuticles.
Apple cider vinegar is beneficial for brittle nails because it contains a high concentration of iron, calcium, and vitamins. It also has antibacterial properties. To use this method, mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and warm water in a bowl and soak your fingertips in the mixture for at least 10 minutes, but no more than 20 minutes, for the best results. You can also add a cup of Epsom salts to the mixture and soak for just a week.
You can also use a natural pumice stone to gently remove callouses after soaking your nails in the mixture. This is a great way to get your nails sandal-ready.
In addition to its health benefits, apple cider vinegar can also be used to create a natural, chemical-free makeup remover. Simply mix equal parts vinegar and distilled water, apply the solution to a clean cotton cloth, and use it to remove your makeup. This will leave your skin feeling softer and healthier.
It is important to note that you should not soak your whole hand in the mixture, as this can make your nails more prone to small rips. Instead, submerge only the very tips of your fingers.
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Moisturise nails with oils like coconut or tea tree
Coconut oil is a nutrient-rich ingredient that is highly beneficial for your nails. It is packed with carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, which are great for the human body. It is also rich in saturated fats, which means once it absorbs, it’ll keep your skin smooth to the touch for a long period. Coconut oil is a natural anti-fungal agent, so it can treat fungus-caused yellowed toenails and prevent nail ridges. It can also help get your cuticles back in shape. To show your cuticles some extra attention, rub coconut oil directly on top of them and let it penetrate for at least 30 minutes. You can also warm some coconut oil and add garlic paste. Soak your nails in this mixture for 15 minutes, and then rinse it off with plain water.
Tea tree oil is a natural fungicide with antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. It has antifungal properties and may be a safe and effective treatment for nail fungus. It can be used alongside conventional treatments for nail fungus. To use tea tree oil for nail fungus, add five drops of tea tree oil to a half-ounce of carrier oil, such as coconut oil, mix them, and stir the mixture into a bucket of warm water. Soak your nails in this mixture for 20 minutes. Keep your nails neatly trimmed during the healing process and keep your affected nails as clean and dry as possible.
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Wash hands with mild, natural soap and warm water
To keep your long natural nails clean, it is important to wash your hands with a mild, natural soap and warm water. This is the most basic step in keeping your nails clean and germ-free.
Firstly, ensure you are using a mild, natural soap. Strong, harsh paraben-based soaps will make your nails brittle, and alcohol-based hand sanitizers will weaken your nails. You could try a fingernail-specific soap, such as OrigiNails Bubble White.
Next, you'll want to fill a bowl with warm water. The water should not be lukewarm or scalding hot, but somewhere in between—a comfortable temperature. Soak the tips of your fingers in the water for about three minutes. This will help soften your nails, making them more pliable and less likely to chip or break during the cleaning process.
After soaking, simply wash your hands as you normally would, focusing on creating a good lather with your chosen soap. You don't need to focus specifically on your nails; just ensure your whole hand is thoroughly cleaned.
Finally, dry your hands and follow up with a moisturising product. Keeping your hands and nails moisturised will help strengthen your nails and prevent moisture loss.
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Take breaks from nail polish and artificial treatments
While it is a common misconception that nails need to "breathe", they do need breaks in between manicures. Nails obtain their nutrients and oxygen from the bloodstream, so wearing nail polish does not deprive them of oxygen, but it does irritate them. Celebrity manicurist Erica Marton compares this to wearing a latex mask on your face, which, after a day, would need to breathe.
There are five main signs that your nails need a rest from your weekly manicure appointments: the appearance of keratin granulation (rough and white patches on the surface of the nail), peeling, ridges and splits, discolouration, and dehydrated cuticles. Discolouration can be the result of either smoking, staining from polish, or a fungal infection. To treat discolouration, you can use tea tree oil, which is a natural fungicide with antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, or lemon juice or lemon essential oil, which has citric acid that helps to whiten nails.
To avoid damaging your nails, be vigilant in finding a manicurist who is careful not to excessively buff your nails. Signs of excessive buffing include feeling extreme heat or pain. Never pick or peel off your polish when you think it’s time for it to come off, as it can cause damage to the surface of your nails. By peeling the gel polish off directly, you can peel off layers of your natural nail underneath, which can be painful and will strip the nails of their protective barrier.
Additionally, gel manicures regularly expose your nails to the UV rays from the curing lamp, which can damage your skin and weaken your nails. Removing gel polish requires your nails to soak in acetone for up to fifteen minutes, which can cause your nails to lose their durability and become more bendy and susceptible to breakage.
To preserve the health of your nails, wear gloves to protect them from water and chemicals during household chores and avoid prolonged exposure to hot water. Tone down the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, as both can be extremely drying to the nail and cause peeling and cracks.
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Frequently asked questions
Keeping your nails clean is an essential part of maintaining hygiene. Wash your hands daily, removing dirt and oil from under your nails, and keeping your hands hydrated. You can also soak your fingertips in warm water for 3 minutes and scrub your nails with a nail brush.
Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and warm water in a bowl and soak your fingertips in the mixture for 20 minutes. Apple cider vinegar is high in acetic and malic acids, which have anti-fungal and cleansing properties.
Tea tree oil is a natural fungicide with antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. Lemon juice or lemon essential oil has citric acid, which helps to whiten nails.
Nail oil helps a lot, but some people have natural nail strength or weakness. It’s best to not have bare nails, especially when swimming or showering, as it softens them and makes them prone to small rips. Cover chips in nail polish as soon as possible, even if just with a top coat.
