Our hands are perhaps one of the most under-appreciated, over-worked parts of the human body. They help us to cook and clean, to communicate, to get us where we need to go, and they quite literally help us point the way for others. Hands are impression makers. Our hands say a lot about us as individuals, so how we care for them is very important. Sometimes when dirt and other gunk gets under our fingernails, it can seem impossible to fully clean it all out. But fear not, because whether your nails are dirty from work, play, or you just need a routine nail cleaning, here is how to get your fingernails clean.
You Will Need:
- Pointed, metal emery board or similar tool
- Nail clippers
- Hand soap
- Warm, running water
- Clean toothbrush or nail brush
- A shallow bowl
- A dry towel
- Moisturizing lotion
Steps:
- Using the pointed, metal emery board, go under each of your fingernails to scrape the hard dirt from underneath. It is alright to go slowly; be attentive and patient so as to be sure you get all of the dirt out.
- Under warm, running water, scrub your nails with a clean toothbrush or nail brush, being sure to scrub the cuticles as well as the tops and underside of the fingernails.
- Wash hands with soap and water to eliminate all dirt; rinse, and pat hands dry with towel.
- In a bowl of warm, soapy water, soak just your nails (not the entire hands) for around three minutes.
- Wash your hands one more time, very thoroughly, with soap and water.
- Pat dry with towel, do not rub. Apply some nourishing lotion or cream, and cut or file nails as desired.
Additional Tips and Advice:
- Being in a well lit room will aid in making sure you are able to see all of the dirt, and remove it from under your nails.
- Patting your hands dry, rather than rubbing them, will reduce the chance of chapping them, which can create cracks for bacteria to enter into your body.
- Make sure the water you use isn’t too hot, nor lukewarm. A good, warm temperature will help clean the most.
- For the three minutes that you will have your fingers indisposed, a good idea to keep yourself occupied (and entertained) would be to find a funny video, or a song you like to sing along to, that is around three minutes long. This way you will not be too bored, and it is a good way to keep track of time.
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