You certainly do not want discolored nails, and want to whiten them immediately. Things like nail polish, cleaning products, and fumes can damage your nails, making them yellow and stained. Luckily, you can whiten your nails again by soaking or scrubbing them with a household product. Apart from that, you can also get white nails and maintain them by changing your manicure habits.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Soaking Nails
Step 1. Put hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, vinegar, or denture cleanser in a bowl
You can use a number of household products to safely whiten your nails. Choose the product you like, then put it in a clean glass or plastic bowl. Use one of the following options:
- Mix 45 to 60 ml of hydrogen peroxide with 120 ml of water and stir.
- Squeeze 2 lemons and put the juice in a bowl.
- Put about 120 ml of denture cleanser in a bowl to soak.
- Put about 120 ml of vinegar in a bowl.
Variation:
For quick and easy stain removal, rub a slice of lemon directly on your nails. Next, let the lemon juice sit there for about 10 minutes before you wash it off with warm water.
Step 2. Soak nails for up to 10 minutes to whiten them
Set the timer for 10 minutes. Next, soak your nails and fingertips in the bowl. Relax as you soak your nails in the bleach solution.
- If you use hydrogen peroxide, you will see results in just two minutes.
- If your fingers start to get irritated, remove them from the bowl immediately.
Step 3. Clean the solution by rinsing the nails with warm water
After you soak your nails, wash your hands with mild soap and warm water. This is useful for cleaning bleach solutions. Check the nails to see if they are white.
If you are not satisfied, try another whitening treatment. However, it's a good idea to wait at least a day before doing so as you may have irritated your skin
Tip:
Apply hand lotion after soaking your nails to add moisture to your skin.
Step 4. Soak nails 2 to 3 times in a week until they turn white
Deep, stubborn stains are sometimes difficult to remove, so you'll need to go through the bleaching process several times. For best results, repeat this treatment 2 to 3 times a week so that your nails can be white without damaging the skin.
If you have an event in the near future, do this nail whitening every day for up to 3 days. However, this can make the skin on your fingertips dry, red, and irritated
Method 2 of 3: Brushing Nails
Step 1. Apply whitening toothpaste on the nails and leave it on for 10 minutes
Apply toothpaste on your nails, then set a timer for 10 minutes. After that, use an old toothbrush or nail brush to scrub the toothpaste for 1 to 2 minutes to allow it to soak into your nails. Next, rinse your hands using warm water to remove the toothpaste.
- The best ingredients are whitening toothpastes that contain baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
- Maybe the nails will turn white after you do one treatment. Otherwise, repeat this treatment once or twice a week until the nails are completely white.
Step 2. Make a paste of baking soda, then apply it on your nails and leave it there for 30 minutes
Mix baking soda and warm water in equal proportions until a paste forms. Next, dip a toothbrush or nail brush in the paste and rub it on your nails. Let the paste sit on your nails for 30 minutes. After that, rinse your nails with mild soap and warm water.
Use less water to make a thicker paste. This can make it easier to stick to the nails
Step 3. Rub a paste made of baking soda and lemon juice on your nails and wait for about 10 minutes
Mix 15 ml of lemon juice with 30-45 ml of baking soda to make a paste. Next, use a cotton swab to apply the paste on the top of the nail and under the tip of the nail. Let the paste sit on your nails for 10 to 15 minutes, then wash your hands with warm water and soap.
Variation:
You can use hydrogen peroxide instead of lemon juice. Mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda to form a paste, then apply it to your nails and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Method 3 of 3: Changing Manicure Habits
Step 1. Clean your nails with a nail polish remover to remove nail polish stains
Dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover, then place it on your nail for 1 to 3 seconds. After that, wipe the cotton bud on the nails to remove the nail polish stains. Use more nail polish remover and get a new cotton bud if needed.
Nail polish removers containing acetone may give better results. However, don't use acetone if you don't like it
Step 2. Color the tips of the nails with a whitening nail pencil for quick results
A whitening nail pencil will hide discoloration and can be used if you need a quick, temporary result. How to use it, wet the tip of the pencil, then scratch under the tip of the nail. Reuse the pencil if necessary to keep your nails looking white.
- You may have to reuse it every time you finish washing your hands.
- Whitening nail pencils can be found at drug stores or the internet. This product is usually sold in the nail care section. The shape is similar to an eyeliner pencil.
Step 3. Use a base coat when you color your nails to prevent yellowing
Nail polish is a common cause of discolored nails, but you can protect your nails by applying a base coat. Always apply a base coat before coloring your nails so that the color of the nail polish doesn't seep into your nails. This is useful for keeping your nails white so you don't have to worry about stains anymore.
You can use a clear base coat to protect your nails. This product can usually be found in the nail care section near the nail polish
Step 4. Use a light color polish, not a dark one
Pigments in dark nail polish can seep into your nails and cause stains. While this can also happen when you use light-colored nail polish, it doesn't discolor your nails. If you use nail polish, choose a light color, not a dark one.
