How to Clean Your Fingernails: 13 Steps
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1. Gather your tools: Before you start cleaning your fingernails, make sure you have all the necessary tools nearby. These include a nail brush, a bowl of warm soapy water, a towel, a nail file, and clippers/scissors.
2. Remove nail polish: Using a gentle nail polish remover, get rid of any existing polish on your nails. Make sure your nails are completely clean before moving on.
3. Clip and shape: Trim your nails using nail clippers or scissors to an appropriate length. Shape the edges with a nail file to create a smooth surface.
4. Soak in warm soapy water: Fill a bowl with warm water and add some mild hand soap. Immerse your hands into the bowl and allow them to soak for around 3-5 minutes. This helps soften the cuticles and loosen up any dirt under the nails.
5. Scrub your hands: Use a gentle hand scrub or simply rub your hands together to remove dead skin cells and dirt from the surface of the skin.
6. Use a nail brush: Gently scrub your nails using a nail brush, focusing on the areas underneath the nails and around the cuticles.
7. Clean under the nails: Using an orangewood or metal cuticle stick, gently scrape any remaining dirt from underneath each nail.
8. Push back cuticles: After softening the cuticles during soaking, gently push them back using a cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick wrapped in cotton.
9. Rinse hands: Thoroughly rinse your hands in clean water to remove soapy residue and loosened dirt.
10. Pat dry with a towel: Gently pat your hands dry using a clean towel, making sure not to rub too hard as this can cause irritation to the skin.
11. Moisturize: Apply hand cream or a cuticle oil to your hands and nails, paying particular attention to the cuticles. This helps keep them soft and prevents them from becoming dry and brittle.
12. Groom nails: Maintain your newly cleaned fingernails by regularly filing the edges and keeping them at an appropriate length.
13. Keep your hands clean: To prevent dirt from accumulating under your nails, it’s important to wash your hands regularly using soap and water. Consider wearing gloves when gardening or doing dirty work to protect your nails even further.
By following these 13 steps, you’ll have clean, well-groomed fingernails and be on your way to keeping them healthy and looking their best.