Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Mia Rubie. Mia Rubie is a Nail Artist and the Owner of Sparkle San Francisco, a nail studio based in San Francisco, California. She has over eight years of nail artist and management experience and is known for her push-the-envelope designs and artistic eye for colors. Her clients include Sephora, Target, and Vogue. Her work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and StyleCaster. She holds a BBA focusing on Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from San Francisco State University. You can find her work on her Instagram account @superflynails.
There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Acrylic nails look beautiful, but dirt, food, and bacteria can hide beneath the nail. Cleaning underneath your acrylic nails requires a gentle touch so that the acrylic nail doesn’t separate from the natural nail. Use a soft-bristled nail brush and warm, soapy water to scrub gently under your nails, then scrape out dirt with a cuticle pusher. If an acrylic nail looks discolored, it's probably a fungal infection. Remove the acrylic nail, clean your nail bed, and apply tea tree oil or an OTC fungal cream to the area 1-2 times a day until the infection clears. Practice daily hygiene habits to reduce your risk of fungus or other infections.
Easiest Way to Clean Under Fake Nails
Scrub gently under your nails with a soft-bristled nail brush and warm, soapy water, then scrape out any dirt with a cuticle pusher. If your acrylic nail looks discolored, you may have a fungal infection. Remove the nail, clean the nail bed, and apply tea tree oil or an OTC fungal cream 1-2 times a day.
Steps
1Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water. Do this whenever you go to the bathroom, eat or cook, touch animals, or handle dirty objects. Don't wash your hands unless they need it, however. Too much washing can weaken the nail glue.
2Dry your nails thoroughly with a towel whenever they get wet. Water can cause fungus and bacteria to build up under the nail. It can also cause the acrylic nail to separate from the natural nail, which can encourage infections.Advertisement
3Scrub under the nail using a soft-bristled nail brush. Dip the nail brush into a cup of warm, soapy water. Tap out any excess water. Move the brush back and forth under the nail to remove dirt. Be gentle, however, so that you do not weaken the glue.[1]- Do not press hard against the underside of the nail. Instead, just sweep the brush back and forth.
- A soft toothbrush may also work.
4Scrape out dirt with a cuticle pusher. Rub the dirt off onto a paper towel before cleaning the next nail. Only clean areas that you can reach. Try to avoid applying pressure to the nail, as this can cause the nail to separate.- Do not stick the cuticle pusher down between the nail and skin.
5Soak your nail in rubbing alcohol before replacing a fallen nail. This will prevent fungus or bacteria from getting under your nail. Pour some rubbing alcohol into a cup, and soak your fingernail for 15 seconds. Dry your natural nail before gluing the acrylic nail back on.[2]- You should do this even if the nail is still partially attached.
- Dark streaks, yellow discoloration, or a crumbly crust on the natural nail are all signs of a fungal infection. Throw out the acrylic nail and treat the fungus.
1Remove the nail from your finger. Fungal treatments do not work if the acrylic nail is still attached. You will have to treat the fungus before you can apply new nails. Toss the infected nail as soon as you remove it.[3]- To remove acrylic nails, soak your fingers in a cup of warm water for up to ten minutes. This will soften the acrylic nails so that you can easily peel them off.
- Alternatively, you can soak cotton balls in acetone. Wrap them against your fingernails using aluminum foil, and leave them for twenty minutes. This should remove the acrylic nail.
2Remove any remaining glue with a damp sponge. The leftover glue may contain the fungus. Soak the sponge in warm water, and gently scrub around the nail to remove any remaining glue. Polish the top of the nail with a nail brush if the glue is stubborn.[4]
3Soak your fingers in vinegar. You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Keep the affected fingers in the vinegar for at least 30 minutes a day for up to a week.- Do not dunk your entire hand into the vinegar, as this might cause your skin to dry out.
4Try a mouthwash soak. Instead of vinegar, you can soak your fingers in mouthwash for up to 30 minutes a day. The alcohol should help kill the fungus. If your fingers start stinging, however, remove them from the mouthwash.
Apply a mixture of tea tree oil and olive oil to the nails. Mix equal parts of each oil, and apply to each affected nail with a cotton swab. Do this twice a day until the infection is gone.[5]
6Visit a doctor. If natural treatments do not clear up the fungus after a week, see your doctor. You may need a prescription cream or pill to kill the fungus. You should also visit your doctor if you notice any:[6]- Redness around the nail
- Swelling
- Pain
- Itching under or around the nail
- Broken skin around the nail
- Broken natural nails
Use whitening toothpaste for a fast fix. After removing any nail polish, cover your nails with a layer of whitening toothpaste before applying acrylic nails. Use a nail brush and scrub the toothpaste all over your nails, making sure to get underneath them as well. Rinse your nails off with water after you’re done scrubbing.[7]- If you scrub your nails with the whitening toothpaste and want them to be whiter, you can either repeat the process over again or let a coat of whitening toothpaste sit on your nails for 5-10 minutes.
2Combine baking soda with lemon juice to create a whitening paste. Squeeze at least half of a lemon’s juice into a bowl or container. Mix baking soda into the lemon juice slowly until you form a paste — how much baking soda you'll need to form a paste will depend on the amount of lemon juice used. Use a nail brush to scrub the paste into your bare nails, and rinse it off once you’ve applied it evenly. Repeat the process for whiter nails, if necessary.[8]- Lemon juice can be painful on open wounds, so if you have any cuts or scrapes on your fingers, this might not be the best method.
- You can also use these two ingredients separately. Soaking your fingers in a bowl of lemon juice will help whiten your nails, as will creating a paste by mixing baking soda with water. By using these two ingredients together, it creates a more powerful whitener.
3Soak your fingers in white vinegar and water for whiter nail tips. Mix a small cup of water with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of white vinegar in a bowl or small container. Let your unpolished nails soak in the mixture for 5 minutes, rinsing your hands off with clean water after the 5 minutes are up.[9]
4Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 3 parts water for a nail soak. Combine the hydrogen peroxide with the water in a bowl or small container, mixing them together. Let your bare nails soak in the solution for 10-15 minutes before you rinse them off.- You can also combine 2.5 tablespoons (37 ml) of baking soda with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of hydrogen peroxide, creating a paste that you scrub into your nails.[10]
5Dissolve denture tablets for a unique whitener. While you may not have denture tablets around the house, they’re great for whitening nails. Find a package of denture tablets from your local drug store or big-box store and follow the instructions on the package to dissolve the tablets in water. Soak your unpolished nails in the mixture for about 5 minutes.
6Buy a nail whitening product for an alternative to at-home remedies. You can find whitening products specifically for nails at many nail salons, drug stores, and big-box stores. Choose a nail whitening scrub, cream, or pencil, depending on your needs.[11]- These products range in price from $5-$15 and can also be purchased online.
7Apply a base coat to your nails for preventative care. The best way to whiten your nails is to prevent them from yellowing in the first place. Purchase a nail polish base coat from a nail salon, drug store, or big-box store. Apply the base coat to your nails before you apply your desired nail polish, making sure that the base coat dries completely.[12]- Most base coats are $5-$10, and they can be purchased online as well.
1Wear gloves while you clean or bathe. This will prevent dirt from getting under your nails. It can also keep your hands dry so that fungus does not grow beneath the nail. Latex or rubber gloves work best.
2Visit the nail salon to touch up the nails every 2 to 3 weeks. Gaps that appear between the acrylic and natural nail can cause infections. Your salon can prevent this by filling in the gaps or reattaching loose nails.[13]
3Replace nails after 3 months. Acrylic nails can attract more dirt and grime the longer that you wear them. To prevent fungal infections and dirty nails, get rid of the nails after 3 months.[14]- Let your natural nails rest for a month before applying new acrylic nails to them. This will keep them clean and prevent damage that can cause infections.
4Make sure your nail salon sterilizes their equipment after every use. Sterilization kills any germs, bacteria, or fungus that may be on the tools. Ask your nail technician if you can see how they sterilize their tools before you let them handle your nails.- Make sure they remove a brand-new nail file straight from the packaging. Nail files cannot be sanitized like other tools can be.
- Do not go to any salon that does not sterilize their tools.
Tips
Common Questions: Hygiene Tips for Acrylic Nails
Why is there brown stuff under my acrylic nails?
Brown or yellow discoloration is usually a fungal infection. Over time, the discoloration will increase and your real nail may thicken or crumble at the edge. Remove the acrylic nail and apply an OTC fungal treatment. Let the infection clear completely before putting another nail there.
Does bacteria grown underneath acrylic nails?
Yes, bacteria can get underneath your acrylic nail and multiply. To prevent this, scrub under your nails regularly and get the full set replaced every 3 months. Make sure that your nail tech is sterilizing the equipment they use.[15]
What is the green stuff under my acrylic nails?
Green or greenish-black discoloration is caused by bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. If you have a greenish spot under your nail, remove the nail so you can treat it. Apply a topical antibiotic, like bacitracin or polymyxin B, a few times a day for at least a month to kill the bacteria.
References
- ↑ https://www.beautyheaven.com.au/hands/nail-care-treatments/how-to-clean-nails-properly-7660
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/beauty/tc/artificial-nails-problems-and-treatment-topic-overview
- ↑ http://www.dermanities.com/get-rid-nail-fungus-fake-acrylic-nails
- ↑ http://www.dermanities.com/get-rid-nail-fungus-fake-acrylic-nails
- ↑ http://www.dermanities.com/get-rid-nail-fungus-fake-acrylic-nails
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/beauty/tc/artificial-nails-problems-and-treatment-topic-overview
- ↑ https://www.liveabout.com/how-to-whiten-your-nails-3013053
- ↑ http://www.listotic.com/6-easy-ways-to-whiten-your-nails/
- ↑ http://fustany.com/en/beauty/nails/how-to-whiten-underneath-your-nails-naturally
- ↑ http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/makeup/how-to/a41/nails-whiten-yellow/
- ↑ http://www.listotic.com/6-easy-ways-to-whiten-your-nails/
- ↑ Mia Rubie. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.
- ↑ Mia Rubie. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/beauty/tc/artificial-nails-problems-and-treatment-topic-overview
- ↑ https://www.snexplores.org/blog/eureka-lab/beautiful-nails-may-harbor-germs
About This Article
To clean under your acrylic nails, dip a nail brush into warm, soapy water and gently scrub underneath your nail and remove any dirt. Avoid pressing hard against the underside of your nail, as this can weaken the glue. If your nail has dark streaks, a yellow discoloration, or a crumbly crust, it likely has a fungal infection and should be thrown away. Once the infected nail is removed, use a sponge soaked in warm water to scrub away any leftover glue. Then, soak your fingers in vinegar for 30 minutes every day to kill the fungus. If the infection doesn’t go away after a week, see your doctor, who can offer professional treatment. For more help, like how to whiten your acrylic nails, read on!
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