Caleb Foster
Stained nails are a common issue, often caused by the use of bright or dark nail polishes. While it may be tempting to cover up these stains with more polish, there are several easy, affordable methods to effectively lighten them. One such method is to use baking soda, which can be combined with olive oil and lemon juice to form a paste. This paste can then be scrubbed onto the nails in a circular motion until the stains start to lighten. It is important to be gentle while cleaning stained nails to avoid further damage, and if the staining persists, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist or nail care professional.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Baking soda, olive oil, lemon juice, water |
| Tools | Toothbrush, nail brush |
| Steps | 1. Combine 2 parts baking soda, 1 part olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon juice in a bowl. Add more baking soda to thicken the paste. 2. Dip a toothbrush or nail brush into the paste and scrub nails in a circular motion. 3. Rinse nails with hand soap and warm water. 4. Moisturize hands and nail cuticles. |
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What You'll Learn
Make a baking soda paste
To make a baking soda paste to remove nail stains, you'll need baking soda, olive oil, and lemon juice. Start by mixing two parts baking soda with one part olive oil. You can use two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of olive oil as a starting point, but feel free to adjust the amounts as needed. Squeeze in some lemon juice, and stir the ingredients together thoroughly. The baking soda will likely fizz when you add the lemon juice, but that's normal!
If your mixture is too thick, add a small amount of olive oil to loosen it up. If it's too thin, simply add a bit more baking soda to thicken it. Keep adjusting the amounts of these ingredients until you have a thick but spreadable paste. You can also add a bit of warm water to adjust the consistency if needed.
Once you're happy with the consistency of your paste, dip a toothbrush or nail brush into the mixture. Make sure the bristles are completely coated. If the paste won't stay on the brush, it's probably too thin, so add a bit more baking soda.
Now you're ready to start scrubbing those stains! Gently scrub the paste onto the surface of your nails in a circular motion. If needed, wipe the paste away to check your progress. If the stain is still there, simply add more paste and continue scrubbing. Remember to be gentle to avoid damaging your nails.
After you've treated all your stained nails, rinse your hands with warm water and soap. The soap will help break up any remaining oil from the paste. Finally, dry your hands and apply a moisturiser to keep your nails and cuticles hydrated.
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Combine with olive oil and lemon juice
Stained nails are discolored nails that may have yellow, green, or black patches on the surface. This discoloration takes a few days or weeks to form gradually. One of the easiest ways to prevent stains from wearing nail polish is to apply a protective base coat.
If you already have stained nails, there are several solutions to help you clean them. One way is to combine baking soda with olive oil and lemon juice. Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent that can help lighten stains. The citric acid in lemon juice, with a pH of 2-3, makes it quite acidic. On the other hand, baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, forms a moderate alkaline/base with a pH of 9-10 when mixed with water.
To make the paste, mix two parts baking soda with one part olive oil and one part lemon juice. For instance, you can use two tablespoons of baking soda, one tablespoon of olive oil, and one teaspoon of lemon juice. The baking soda will probably start to fizz when you add the lemon juice, but that's normal. If the mixture is too thick, add a small amount of olive oil and stir to loosen it. If it's too thin, add a small amount of baking soda to thicken it. Continue adjusting until you have a thick but spreadable paste.
Once you have your paste, dip a toothbrush or nail brush into the mixture. Press the bristles down so they're completely coated. Then, scrub the mixture onto your nails in a circular motion. Keep scrubbing gently until you notice the stains start to lighten. Afterward, wash your hands with soap and water, then apply a moisturizer to keep your nails hydrated.
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Scrub nails with a toothbrush
Scrubbing your nails with a toothbrush is an effective way to remove nail stains with baking soda.
First, create a paste by mixing two parts baking soda with one part olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. The baking soda will likely fizz when you add the lemon juice, but this is normal. You can adjust the amount of paste you make by keeping a 2:1 ratio of baking soda to olive oil. If the mixture is too thick, add a small amount of olive oil and stir. If it's too thin, add a small amount of baking soda.
Once you have your paste, take an old toothbrush or a stiff nail brush and dip it into the mixture. Press the bristles down so they're completely coated. You can also use a new toothbrush, but be sure not to mix it up with your regular toothbrush. If the paste won't stay on the brush, it's probably too thin.
Now, gently scrub the paste onto the surface of your nails in a circular motion. If needed, wipe the paste away to check your progress. If the stain is still there, add more paste and continue scrubbing until you've treated all your stained nails.
Finally, rinse your nails with hand soap and warm water. The soap will help break up the oil in the paste, while the warm water will help dissolve the baking soda.
This method can be repeated up to twice a week for the best results. It's important to be gentle while scrubbing your nails to avoid further damage. If the staining persists or your nails are brittle and weak, consult a dermatologist or nail care professional for guidance.
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Rinse with soap and water
Rinsing your hands with soap and warm water is the final step in removing nail stains with baking soda. Before you rinse, you should have already prepared a baking soda paste and scrubbed your nails with it. To prepare the paste, mix two parts baking soda with one part olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. You can adjust the amount of paste you're making by keeping a ratio of 2:1 for baking soda to olive oil. If the mixture is too thick, drizzle in some olive oil. If it's too thin, add a little more baking soda.
Once you have your paste, dip a toothbrush or nail brush into the mixture and press the bristles down so they're completely coated. Then, scrub your nails lightly with the brush in a circular motion until the stain lightens. You can wipe the paste away to check your progress. If the stain is still there, add more paste and continue scrubbing.
After you've scrubbed all your stained nails, rinse your hands with hand soap and warm water. The soap will help break up the oil in the paste, while the warm water will help dissolve the baking soda. Baking soda may leave a light residue if it has started to dry, so make sure you rinse thoroughly.
Finally, apply a moisturizer to keep your nails hydrated.
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Moisturise hands and cuticles
To moisturise your hands and cuticles, you should first prep your cuticles. Start by taking a shower or soaking your fingers in lukewarm water for 10 to 15 minutes to make sure your cuticles are soft and pliable. Then, check to see if your cuticles look overgrown or thick. If so, gently push them back, but never use a metal tool to do so.
Once your cuticles are prepped, it's time to moisturise. Avoid using your everyday hand or body lotion, as these products won't be as effective. Instead, opt for a product specifically designed for cuticles, such as cuticle cream or cuticle oil. Cuticle creams that contain citric acids are more effective moisturisers. Look for moisturisers that contain petroleum, glycerin, shea butter, or safflower seed oil. Cuticle oils are usually made from enriched vegetable oils, flaxseed oil, or citric acids.
If your cuticles are dry but haven't detached from the nail, you can try a more intensive treatment with vitamin E oil, which can be found in most drug stores. Shea butter also works well on cracked cuticles and can be found in hand creams and body butters at health food stores. Almond or olive oil can also be used as a substitute for cuticle oil.
If you're looking for a luxurious option, Chanel L'Huile Camélia Oil is an editor favourite at Allure. This oil-based formula is fast-absorbing and intensely moisturising, leaving your cuticles soft and hydrated without any greasy residue. Olive & June's Cuticle Serum is another mess-free option that allows you to control the application and delivers a moisturising yet fast-drying formula.
For fragile nails, OPI's Pro Spa Nail & Cuticle Oil provides strengthening moisture with a combination of grapeseed, sesame, kukui, sunflower, and cupuaçu oils. This concoction instantly softens cuticles and provides conditioning benefits to dry nails, helping to minimise breaking.
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