How to clean your nails properly

Our nails make more of an impression than you may think.
And whether you're someone who dabbles in the latest nail art trends, has a solid monthly appointment for SNS, or prefers an au naturale look, keeping them clean is a must.
After all, just like our hands, our nails can pick up a fair amount of grime and germs. Plus, nothing says 'put together' like a pair of prim and proper paws.
RELATED: The best hand creams under $10
RELATED: Everything you need to know about non-toxic nail polish
Here’s how to clean nails properly…
Step 1: Nail scrub
If you want clean, lovely fingernails it’s an absolute must to invest in a good quality nail brush. A nail brush will scrub out the dirt from underneath your nails and attack those hard-to-reach areas where grime can build up. Always ensure you do a nail scrub in a well-lit room, using a solution of warm water and hand soap. To clean fingernails, start by scrubbing underneath your nails by holding the brush downwards and rubbing it back and forth gently, then move to the front of the nails, working in a circular buffing motion.
Step 2: Remove leftover polish
Wet a cotton pad with some nail polish remover and use it to remove any old nail polish that may still be hanging around on your nails. For really strong healthy fingernails, you should aim to give them a break from polish once every few weeks, or use a strengthening polish like Revitanail Triple Strength in between nail treatments. If you're looking to remove a gel manicure, follow this step-by-step.
bh loves: Manicare Nail Polish Remover - Non-Acetone, Swisspers Nail Polish Remover Pads, and Mavala Switzerland Nail Polish Remover - Crystal.
Step3: Soak away the day
Treat your fingernails to a soak in a bath of water with a dash of antibacterial hand wash. Be sure to only soak your nails, not your entire hand – as the soap in the solution can dry your hands out if left to soak.
Top tip: If you're experiencing a stubborn bit of dirt under the nail that a brush can't reach, try also soaking your nails in a bowl of warm water with a tablespoon of bicarb soda, to coax the dirt out.
Step 4: Rinse and dry
After twenty minutes, rinse nails and hands under the tap, taking care to wash away all remaining hand soap before patting dry with a soft towel. Now you can give your nails a file as usual and, if not re-painting, finish with a clear protective coat of nail strengthener.
bh loves: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Clear Treatment, Revitanail Nail Strengthener, Mavala Switzerland Nail Shield Two-Phase Nail Strengthener
How do you keep your nails clean? Will you be trying this nail care routine?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
86 Member Comments
My nails can't wait until the salons open again. But until then, I am eagerly awaiting a shipment of Zoya products. I've read really good things about them & the colours are divine, so hopefully they live up to the hype.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I love a good nail brush and feels so good to get extra clean after a morning in the garden.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Great to have this up to date info!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
agh feel so good when i do a mani
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Lately I've been cleaning my nails by scraping soap between the nail and finger, then washing my hands with soap and removing the excess bits of soap still lodged under my nails with a sharp knife. Then a final rinse.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have done this for years. I used to use a small nail brush but now keep it in my Weekend away/Holiday kit. I now use a much large brush from Kmart. I need to give my nails a serious deep clean after being out in the garden which has red dirt.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
My nails are clean.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Stand by what I said in 2017 ....lol
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
A timely article.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I like keeping my nails clean. Healthy nails is what I like.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I've done a nail polish detox and have left them bare which is good for the nails
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
My nails have always grown long and healthily. When I was younger I would manicure them every week and keep them painted. Nowadays even though my nails still grow quickly I keep them shorter and natural looking. I always try to keep them clean and manicured.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Good article, needed this
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
All of the hand washing is certainly keeping my nails clean
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I find regular hand washing is enough to keep my hands clean. I don't do any nail grooming
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Like to keep my Nails Clean now with COVID-19 Hand Washing I am doing that all the time, also when I am preparing food like crumbing meat or making Meat Balls I wear Food Safe Latex Gloves.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Just have put on some sparkles on. And I keep mine short as have discovered that I love the best short nails.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
This is just what we need
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Mine nails are short, I use a nailbrush when I need to.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
My nails are short and clean. Apart from that quite a mess!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I find that my nails tend to just mostly stay clean, and for the times they don’t I’ve got an old toothbrush that I use to clean them.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I always keep my hands and nails clean but that sometimes leads to over-washing them and dry skin.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Once a week I soak my hands in warm water with half a lemon squeezed in it. After 5min I use an old toothbrush and after dabbing it into the other half of squeezed lemon begin to gently brush over my nails, including underneath. A quick sock for 1 min and viola clean as a whistle. Followed by a hand moisture cream.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have always scrubbed my hands and nail on a regular basis. I really do not think keeping nails clean will in any way make them weak. Clean well kept nail always look good.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0