What to Use to Whiten Nails

Beauty Tip of the Day

There are various means of whitening yellow and stained finger and toenails. They all work, but can cause drying of the nails which, if used too often, can lead to unhealthy, flaking, nails. However, there are methods that do add moisture to the nail while whitening the nail.

A paste of baking soda and water can be brushed onto the nails and left to sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then scrub off with warm water to reveal whitened nails.

A paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is helpful to whiten nails. Spread the paste onto nails, leave for 3 to 4 minutes and wash off with warm water.

Another way to use hydrogen peroxide is to use a mixture of half water and half hydrogen peroxide. Soak finger- or toenails for 15 minutes and rinse. Hydrogen peroxide helps in the same way it bleaches dark hair into blonde hair.

A paste of lemon juice with baking soda whitens nails. The lemon juice acts as a bleach just like the hydrogen peroxide does. Wash off after about 15 minutes.

Whitening toothpaste that contains baking soda will also whiten nails. Apply to the nails, leave on for 10 to 15 minutes, scrub gently while washing the toothpaste off with warm water is effective.

Soaking nails in a water and apple cider mixture also whitens nails. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic and malic acids which reduce the discoloration. The vinegar also has antibacterial and antifungal properties which can help with fungal infections.

One old-time remedy is to use denture cleaner tablets. Dissolve 1 or 2 tablets in a bowl of water. Soak nails for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse.

Apply a paste of glycerin and fresh lemon juice and leave on nails for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. The glycerin will help protect nails from becoming dry and brittle just as it keeps skin moist with rose water and glycerin.

One other very effective way to keep nails from becoming dry, brittle and breaking, is to massage a bit of olive oil onto the nails and cuticles after any of the whitening routines.

For more information on healthy nails read:

How to Whiten Yellow Nails
What Helps Dry Fingernails