How to Clean Underneath Acrylic Nails: Guide & Tips

As lovely as acrylic nails appear on the outside, anyone who has ever had this type of manicure knows that they can easily collect dirt underneath.

This is especially true if you’re like me and enjoy your acrylic nails to be on the long side.

And while your fave nail technician at the local nail salon will clean them at your next fill appointment, you likely don’t want to leave dirt hanging around for two to three weeks.

Not only is dirt hiding underneath your acrylic nails disgusting, but it could lead to potential infections.

Keep reading to find out how to clean underneath acrylic nails successfully.

How to Clean Under Acrylic Nails: Four Ways

Cleaning under acrylic nails is surprisingly easy. All you need is antibacterial soap, a nail brush/toothbrush, rubbing alcohol, or a pusher, and you can be successful.

1. Rinsing with Antibacterial Soap

The quickest and easiest way to clean under acrylic nails is to simply wash your hands using antibacterial soap.

Wash your hands thoroughly and ensure to scrub underneath the nail.

You can also “claw” or gently “scratch” your nails into the soap to get the soap underneath for an efficient wash.

Regardless of the method, it is imperative to rinse the soap off thoroughly and dry your hands.

If your acrylic nail(s) are left wet, you pose two risks:

• The nail glue can weaken, causing your acrylic nails to fall off, or
• The leftover moisture will cause a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi

Tip: You might want to wear gloves when you go in the shower, bath, or other heavily hydrated areas. This can ensure your acrylic nails don’t succumb to fungi or bacteria due to moisture.

You will also prolong the longevity of your nail polish, so they look stunning. Even if you go for unpolished nails, you can still benefit from extending the look.

2. Nail Soak Using Rubbing Alcohol

Soaking in rubbing alcohol is another great way to get rid of dirt and keep your acrylic nails clean.

All you need to do is fill a bowl with rubbing alcohol and place your dirty nails inside. Let them soak for up to ten minutes, then rinse and dry.

Don’t want to sit around with your nails in a bowl of alcohol?

Don’t worry. You can soak cotton balls in rubbing alcohol or rubbing alcohol pads to wipe any dirt, grime, and bacteria underneath.

3. Scrub with a Nail Brush

Stuck on dirt and grime can be a pain to remove, especially underneath your acrylic nail(s).

If you’re struggling with nails that are dirty underneath and you just can’t seem to reach them with soap or a cotton ball of alcohol, you can always use a soft-bristled nail brush.

You can leave it bare or dip it in a bowl of warm water and antibacterial soap. Then, gently scrub the nail to remove dirt.

Again, be extra careful when you’re cleaning underneath the acrylic nails.

Being overly rough can result in loosened nails, a fallen nail, or you may accidentally remove acrylic nails altogether.

Don’t have a brush? You can use an old but soft toothbrush with the same great results.

Tip: You can boost your white acrylic nails by creating a nail whitening scrub using whitening paste or another nail whitening product with excellent results.

This scrub will work as a fungal treatment while keeping your nails clean. And the biggest bonus? **_Whitening nails _**for a gorgeous, look-at-me shine.

Just add whitening toothpaste to the toothbrush and use a slow brushing motion to brush underneath and on top of the acrylic nails.

4. Use a Cuticle Pusher

If you’re looking for more of a “spot treatment” for dirt collection underneath your own nails, consider using a pusher or orange stick to remove it.

These can be pretty sharp, so you want to be as gentle as possible when using them. Gently push it along the nail and remove any dirt.

Don’t go underneath the acrylics as this could cause pain to the natural nails.

Tip: Wipe off the dirt and grime on a paper towel after each fingernail to avoid transferring it to another nail.

5. Head to Nail Salons

When all else fails, you can always ask nail techs to clean your acrylics for you when all else fails.

This may be necessary for specific situations, such as if you did too much washing and need a professional for reattaching loose nails.

Just make sure that they are using sterilized equipment while removing dirt (and applying) your manicure and using a brand new nail file (or nail files).

Don’t worry - many nail salons will do that automatically, but there is nothing wrong with double-checking while you’re there.

You don’t want to end up with an infection that was not your fault, to begin with.

Tip: If you’re dealing with an infection, you have options. Some people swear by using tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar to treat these infections on the natural nail.

Simply soak or apply the treatment to the natural nail until the infection goes away.

However, if you do not have luck with these fungal treatments, you may need a prescription cream to treat the fungal infection.

FAQs

What is the white stuff under my acrylic nails?

It could be a sign of infection and should be treated as such (using a natural remedy like vinegar or heading to the doctor for a professional treatment).

What does putting toothpaste on nails do?

Using toothpaste can cause whiter nails and whiter nail tips for a more desirable finish.