How to Clean the Inside of Your Toenails

By: Lisa S. Kramer

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Regardless of whether you traipse around in the sand and mud or spend all day inside wearing clean socks and closed-toe shoes, the areas underneath your toenails are going to get dirty. Even if your toenails do not appear dirty to the naked eye, there still may be microscopic organisms and bacteria lurking beneath your nails -- and these intruders can cause toe fungus, infections and foul odors. As such, cleaning the inside part of your toenails should be a regular part of your personal hygiene and grooming regimen -- so take that extra bit of time and remove those harmful guests.

Step 1

Fill a bucket or bathtub with warm water. The water temperature should not exceed 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Add a couple of drops of shampoo and antibacterial soap to the water and swirl the water around. Let your feet soak in the water for 10 minutes.

Step 2

Scrub underneath your toenails with a soft-bristled nailbrush or toothbrush. It is best to do this while your feet are still submerged in the warm water.

Step 3

Clean out dirt and debris gently from under your toenails with a pointed nail-cleaner stick. These sticks are included on many nail cutters. Alternatively, you can use an orange stick, a toothpick or the flat end of a cuticle-pusher tool.

Step 4

Submerge your feet again and scrub gently under your nails with the nailbrush or toothbrush to remove any remaining dirt. When you are finished, rinse off your feet and dry them with a clean, dry towel.