How to Clean Under Acrylic Nails

Co-authored by Mia Rubie

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References

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. Be aware, however, that most discoloration on acrylic nails is caused by fungus, not dirt. This means that you will have to remove the nail and treat your finger before you can apply a new one. Prevention is easier than treatment, however. Practice daily hygiene habits to reduce your risk of fungus or other infections.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Removing Dirt from Nails

1
Wash 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.
2
Dry 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.

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3
Scrub 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]
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- Do not press hard against the underside of the nail. Instead, just sweep the brush back and forth.
- A soft toothbrush may also work.
4
Scrape 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.
5
Soak 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]
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- 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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Eliminating Fungus on Nails

1
Remove 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]
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- 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.^{[4]
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2
Remove 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.^{[5]
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3
Soak 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.^{[6]
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- Do not dunk your entire hand into the vinegar, as this might cause your skin to dry out.
4
Try 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.^{[7]
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5
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.^{[8]
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6
Visit 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:^{[9]
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- Redness around the nail
- Swelling
- Pain
- Itching under or around the nail
- Broken skin around the nail
- Broken natural nails

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Whitening Nails

1
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.^{[10]
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- 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.
2
Combine 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.^{[11]
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- 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.^{[12]
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3
Soak 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.^{[13]
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4
Mix 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.^{[14]
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- 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.^{[15]
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5
Dissolve 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.^{[16]
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6
Buy 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.^{[17]
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- These products range in price from $5-$15 and can also be purchased online.
7
Apply 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.^{[18]
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Expert Source

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
- Most base coats are $5-$10, and they can be purchased online as well.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Keeping Nails Clean

1
Wear 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.
2
Visit 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.^{[19]
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Expert Source

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
3
Replace 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.^{[20]
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- 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.
4
Make 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^{[21]
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- 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.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How long do acrylic nails last?

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
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.

Mia Rubie

Nail Artist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

It really depends on how the nails were applied. An experienced nail technician will do a good job and your nails should last 2-4 weeks before you see any breaks or cracks. If you take good care of your nails, they may last a little longer. If the nails weren't applied correctly or you don't take good care of them, they may start cracking in a few days. It just depends on how they were put on your nails.
Question

How do I remove soap in my nails?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

Run your fingertips under warm or hot water and wait for the soap to foam or dissolve away.