How to Clean the Inside of Your Toenails

Apply nailpolish as a quick fix to dirty nails.
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Cleaning your toenails is an easy, necessary feat that can turn nasty nails into natural beauties. The reality is that you have to dig the dirt out from under your toenails every once in a while because soap and water from the shower doesn't always cut it. So after a day at the beach or wearing linty socks to work or school, get out your toenail tools. It's time to clean underneath and inside the nails of those ticklish toes.

Wash your feet during a warm shower. Apply soap to a soft-bristle brush and gently scrub around the bed and on top of your entire nail area -- especially in the corners. Place some of the bristles under the toenail to try and dislodge dirt.

Pat your feet dry with a clean towel.

Trim each toenail straight across using a number of small cuts. The dirt might fall from the nails just from the trimming.

File each nail at the corner into a rounded curve.

Place a curette under each toenail at one side. Glide the tool across and under the nails to grab dirt and debris. Wipe the tool clean with a tissue. Start again at the other end of each nail and swipe across. Wipe debris onto the tissue again.

  • Lotion and petroleum jelly on your feet attract dirt under your nails.
  • Ingrown toenails need to be removed by a podiatrist before any dirt can be released.
  • Keep your toenails short.
  • Add some lemon juice to a toothbrush and scrub your toenails. This helps keep nails white.
  • Follow your natural curve when cutting nails.

Based in Los Angeles, Lisa Finn has been writing professionally for 20 years. Her print and online articles appear in magazines and websites such as "Spa Magazine," "L.A. Parent," "Business," the Famous Footwear blog and many others. She also ghostwrites for mompreneurs and business owners who appear regularly on shows such as Ricki Lake, HGTV, Carson Daly and The Today Show.

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