Are you looking for ways to get rid of your yellow nails and make them white? Here’s a list of 10 of the best ways to whiten your nails at home.
Finger and toenail whitening is an art, not a science. There are a lot of ways you can whiten nails at home but the easiest way is to experiment with some ingredients from your kitchen pantry.
Nails are fairly porous, so it’s no wonder that they can turn yellow when exposed to nail polish, dirt, and everyday wear and tear. And your toenails, understandably, take the brunt of the abuse since they’re often trapped inside shoes and socks for long stretches of time.
The thing about nails is that they get discolored or stained pretty easily. And stained nails can turn out to be another cause of embarrassment because look unsightly. But do not fret, you can whiten your nails that have been stained with some effective homemade remedies.
Whitening underneath your nails might require a little bit of effort. The thing about nails is that they can get discolored easily, either because of excessive use of nail polish or due to being exposed to dirt almost the whole day. To keep your nails looking fresh and clean, you might want to know how to whiten your nails naturally. With that being said, how do you make your nails white from yellow?
To keep tips looking light and bright, you need to whiten the area underneath the nail while gently buffing away stains on the nail surface. The following tips and tricks will help you to un-strain your nails and make them shine once again so that you can stop feeling uncomfortable in front of others. Try these tips mentioned below and tell us which one worked for you the best.
How can I whiten my nails quickly?
2. Use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
3. Use whitening toothpaste.
4. Use lemon juice and soapy water.
5. Use white vinegar.
6. Use lemon juice and baking soda paste.
7. Absorb stains with activated charcoal + bentonite clay.
8. Scrub your nails.
9. Prevent stains with a base coat.
10. Use a lemon salt scrub
Below is short detailed information about the 10 easy, no-fuss ways to help keep your nails looking as white, cleaned, and healthy as possible compiled by TheVibely.com.
1. Use denture cleaner
You can get rid of the stain on your nails by soaking your nails in denture cleaner. Denture soak is super effective at whitening stubborn discoloration on nails (and it just so happens to be one of the favorite lightening methods for many).
Denture cleaners mainly contain Dilute sodium hypochlorite which is a mild bleach. So the active ingredient in the denture cleanser works on the stain as it can strip the stains from any hard surface.
To use denture cleaner take a denture cleaner tablet and dissolve it in a dish of warm water. Once the tablet is completely dissolved then soak your hands (fingernails) in the liquid for five or 10-15 minutes at maximum.
Then rinse your hands in warm water and pat dry with a clean towel. You will have to repeat this process a couple of times a week to see improvement in the appearance of your nails.
Be sure to follow up with nourishing cuticle oil to lock in moisture and prevent peeling.
2. Use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural lightening agent that, when used carefully, can gently whiten nails without damaging the layers underneath or leading to hangnails.
Make a soak from hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. The mix will work as an effective stain remover.
To make the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda solution mix one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and one tablespoon of baking soda with 125 ml of hot water in a small plastic bowl.
Stir this solution with a spoon until the powder dissolves and then dip your fingers or toes in the bowl so that nails are completely covered and let soak for 15 minutes.
Then wash your hands with soap and water and make sure you moisturize them well with cream as hydrogen peroxide can be harsh on your skin and strip away the moisture.
Rinse well. Repeat daily until nails are whiter and stains have disappeared.
If used for longer than 3-4 days, use sweet almond or coconut oil to seal in moisture and keep cuticles from drying out.
3. Use whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste isn’t reserved just for teeth. Turns out it can lighten nails as well.
Rub a small dollop of toothpaste into the nails and let sit for 10 minutes. Once time is up, grab a soft bristle brush (an old toothbrush is great for this!) and gently scrub nails under warm water. Repeat for a few days, if needed, to get rid of stubborn stains.
4. Use lemon juice and soapy water
Use a solution of lemon juice and soapy water to get rid of the stain. You can find both easily in your kitchen cabinet. So when you use this solution, the acidic properties of lemon juice will dissolve all the stain particles from your nails and the soap water will further ease the process. To use this solution in one cup of water pour two tablespoons of liquid soap and one-fourth cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Soak your nails in this solution for about five minutes. Wash your hands in running water and moisturize them.
5. Use white vinegar
Colored vinegar can stain your nails, so instead use white vinegar to get rid of the stains from your nails. Yellow discoloration of the nails may be a sign of a nail fungal infection. Vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties and has been shown to help in the treatment of athletes’ foot and nail fungus.
You can use any type of vinegar but raw apple cider vinegar has probiotic properties, which may help tackle bacteria with a one-two punch.
The mild acid in the vinegar will strip away stain particles from hard surfaces. To use white vinegar to get rid of the stain, in one cup of warm water add one teaspoon to one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar. Soak your nails for about eight minutes and then rinse your hands under lukewarm water. After patting your hands with a clean towel apply a dollop of moisturizing cream or lotion. Repeat daily for best results.
6. Use lemon juice and baking soda
Lemon juice and baking soda are the ultimate 1-2 punch for yellow nails: lemon juice lifts set-in stains while baking soda scrubs away topical discoloration.
Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 2 tablespoons of baking soda (add more lemon juice, if you like a smoother paste). Apply to the top of the nails and just underneath the tip of each nail. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then gently massage into nails before rinsing off with warm water.
Just a heads up: lemon juice will burn, so keep away from cuts, tears, and hangnails, if you can.
7. Absorb stains with activated charcoal + bentonite clay
Both activated charcoal and bentonite clay can absorb toxins and stains, which may make nails appear lighter.
To use, combine 1-2 teaspoons of activated charcoal or bentonite clay (you can always mix them together, but that might be overkill) with just enough water to make a loose paste. Apply to nails and let sit for several minutes. Gently massage into nails before rinsing off.
If using activated charcoal, be careful when pouring it into a bowl – it has a tendency to go everywhere! While it won’t stain, it can be pretty messy.
8. Scrub your nails
If your nails are stained after using dark-colored nail polish, wipe away the nail polish using a nail polish remover. Then use a nail scrub brush to scrub off the stains from your nails. You can also soak a cotton pad in acetone to scrub your nails. but this will only work if your nails are stained from dark nail paint.
9. Prevent stains with a base coat
Prevention is sometimes the best medicine. Once you’ve successfully whitened the nails, go ahead and apply and generous base coat to seal the nails and prevent further yellowing. Not only will it keep nails white longer, but it will also strengthen nails so they’ll grow long without any chipping, breaking, or peeling.
10. Use a lemon salt scrub
Using lemon and salt is another effective home remedy. The lemon will work on the stains and the salt will act as a gentle buffer to buff away the stain and polish your nails at the same time. To use lemon and salt scrub, combine equal parts of lemon juice and salt and then scrub it on your nails. Leave this for about five minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water. Moisturize your hands after this with a moisturizing cream or lotion.
Nail Whitening FAQ
How can I whiten my nails really quickly?
Will bleach whiten my nails?
Can I still whiten my nails if they’re weak and brittle?
And try repairing nails from the inside out with the help of hair, skin, and nail vitamin. After a few weeks, go ahead and try a couple of gentle lightening treatments on your nails, just keep an eye out for signs of splitting or weakening.
