It’s common for nails to develop a yellow tint due to their porous nature and frequent exposure to nail polish, dirt, and everyday wear and tear.
While finger and toenail whitening is often more of an art than a precise science, you don’t need harsh chemicals to fix it.
The simplest and most effective way to whiten your nails at home is to experiment with items you likely already have in your kitchen pantry.
We’ve gathered some of our favorite non-chemical methods that use simple household ingredients to help restore your nails’ natural brightness.
#1. Soak In Hydrogen Peroxide
When applied judiciously, hydrogen peroxide can serve as an effective, natural lightening agent to whiten your nails.
Used correctly, it can softly lighten any yellowing without harming the underlying nail layers or causing painful hangnails.
This makes it a great non-chemical option for restoring your nails’ natural brightness and avoiding the abrasive damage that other methods might cause.
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 one-two punch for treating yellow nails.
This natural combination works perfectly because each ingredient plays a distinct role.
The lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent to effectively lift set-in stains, while the mild abrasive texture of baking soda physically scrubs away topical discoloration and smooths the nail surface.
Together, they provide a simple yet powerful non-chemical solution for brightening and cleaning your nails.
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 just for your teeth; it turns out it can be used to lighten yellowed nails as well.
The same gentle abrasives and mild chemical brighteners designed to polish away stains on tooth enamel can be safely applied to your nails.
By gently scrubbing with a small amount of whitening toothpaste, you can effectively lift topical stains and discoloration, providing a quick and easy way to brighten your manicure using a common bathroom staple.
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 may sound strange, but denture soak is an incredibly efficient and effective method for lightening stubborn nail discoloration.
The reason it works so well is that the active ingredient in denture cleaner is specifically formulated to remove stains from any hard surface.
When you soak your nails in the solution, the same deep-cleaning action that whitens dentures tackles and effectively treats the yellowing stains on your nails, offering a surprisingly powerful way to restore their bright, natural color.
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
If your yellow nails are caused by a nail fungal infection, a vinegar soak may offer a helpful, non-chemical treatment, thanks to its natural antifungal and antibacterial properties.
This is a particularly popular remedy for conditions like athlete’s foot and nail fungus.
While any common vinegar will work to help whiten the nail, using raw apple cider vinegar is an especially good choice.
It contains probiotic properties that may help support your natural immune response, potentially aiding your body in fighting the underlying infection more effectively.
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.