Nails are rather porous, so it is not surprising that they can turn yellow when exposed to nail polish, dirt, and everyday wear and tear. Finger and toenail whitening is an art, not a science. There are many methods you may use to whiten your nails at home, but the simplest is to experiment with some items from your kitchen pantry. Here are some of our favorite non-chemical methods for whitening nails.
#1. Soak In Hydrogen Peroxide
When applied judiciously, hydrogen peroxide, a natural lightening agent, can softly whiten nails without harming the layers underlying or causing hangnails.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon hydrogen peroxide
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 125 ml of water
Source: unknown
Direction
- Mix one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and one tablespoon of baking soda in a plastic bowl.
- Add half a cup of water and mix the ingredients until the powder dissolves.
- Soak your nails in the solution for about 10 minutes or until the stains disappear.
- Rinse your hands with lukewarm water.
- Slather on some lotion. Your nails should be clean now.
#2. Scrub With 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.
Ingredients
- Half a lemon
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- An old toothbrush
Source: unknown
Direction
- Squeeze half of a lemon into a plastic bowl.
- Mix in the baking soda until you get an abrasive, paste-like texture.
- Apply the paste to your nails and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Use an old toothbrush to scrub your nails with the paste.
- Rinse your hands with mild soap and water.
Just a heads up: If you can, avoid getting lemon juice on cuts, rips, or hangnails since it can burn.
#3. Use Whitening Toothpaste
Toothpaste with whitening properties isn’t simply for teeth. Turns out it can lighten nails as well.
Ingredients
- Whitening toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Nail buffer
Source: unknown
Direction
- Start by buffing your nails until they look shiny.
- Apply a thin layer of toothpaste to your nails and let them sit for 10 minutes.
- Use an old toothbrush to scrub your nails gently.
- Remove the toothpaste with the help of cotton balls soaked in water.
#4. Give Denture Soak A Go
It sounds strange, but denture soak is incredibly efficient in lightening stubborn nail discoloration. The denture cleaner’s active ingredient removes stains from any hard surface, making it effective at treating stains.
Ingredients
- Denture cleaner tablet
- ½ cup warm water
- Bowl
Source: unknown
Direction
- Add one denture cleaner tablet to a dish of warm water.
- Once the tablet dissolves in the water, soak your hands in the solution for about 10 minutes.
- Rinse your hands with warm water and pat them dry with a clean towel.
- Follow up with a moisturizer, and you’re good to go!
Continue each day until the stains are gone and your nails are lighter. Use nourishing cuticle oil right after to seal in moisture and stop peeling.
#5. Soak Your Nails In Vinegar
A nail fungal infection may be indicated by yellow nail discoloration. Vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties that may help in the treatment of athlete’s foot and nail fungus. Any vinegar will work to whiten your nails, but raw apple cider vinegar has probiotic properties, which may help improve your natural immune response.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
Source: unknown
Direction
- Pour one cup of warm water into a bowl.
- Add one tablespoon of white vinegar to the water.
- Soak your nails in the solution for 10 minutes.
- Rinse your nails with lukewarm water and pat them dry with a towel.
- Apply lotion to your hands to prevent your skin from drying out.
What are you holding out for? To whiten your fingernails, try the solutions. However, if these remedies do not work, it is best to consult a doctor to determine the exact reason for yellow nails.
