Learn how to whiten nails with baking soda and peroxide and other home remedies to take proper care of your nails! Keep reading to know more.
We take a lot of care for our skin and hair, but what we fail to notice are the little areas that need attention. Underneath the coats of nail paint, we tend to hide the discoloration of our nails. Our nails can change from a natural pink shade to a pale yellowish shade over time. And this should not be ignored or covered with a coat of chemicals like a nail-paint. Learn how to whiten nails with baking soda and peroxide in this article.
Reasons for Discolored Nails
Stained nails can happen because of applying very dark coats of the nail color for prolonged periods or having a poor diet. It might also occur due to a lack of hygiene practices, which can ultimately lead to the growth of nail fungus.
Why do Baking Soda and Peroxide help?
Hydrogen Peroxide has bleaching properties, which can lighten the shade of your nails. Additionally, it has antimicrobial properties that help in getting rid of any nail infections. Baking soda, a commonly used ingredient for teeth whitening as well, hence, works the same way for your nails.
Nobody likes discolored nails and as much as you scrub with your nail color remover, these can be very hard to get rid of. Find below an easy to use DIY that will help in whitening your nails.
How to Whiten Nails with Baking Soda and Peroxide
Ingredients Required
- Hydrogen Peroxide (maximum 3% recommended to avoid over bleaching of nails)
- Baking Soda
Method
Mix 1 tbsp of hydrogen peroxide with an equal quantity of baking soda. Add a little bit of hot water to form a thick paste. Scrub this paste over your nails with a soft toothbrush for around 10 minutes. Wash with soap to instantly see a difference. Do this daily until you get the desired results.
Alternatively, you can add a tbsp each of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in two cups of hot water and soak your nails in the mixture for 15 minutes (works if you are too lazy to scrub).
Do apply a moisturizer before and after trying this method, since it can cause drying of the cuticles. Also, avoid overuse of this and see a doctor if the yellow nails persist. This could be an underlying health issue caused by the deficit of necessary vitamins.
Other Home remedies to get rid of discolored nails?
1. Lemons
There are many ways you can use lemon to get rid of the yellow stains. You can either rub a sliced lemon on the nails for 5-10 minutes or dab lemon juice on the nails using cotton for 10-15 minutes. Another way to use lemon juice is to mix it with soapy water and soak your nails in the mixture for about 5 minutes.
2. Baking Soda
Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to create a paste. Apply for about 10-15 minutes and then wash it off. The bleaching properties of both ingredients can help in removing the stains.
3. White Vinegar
Take some white vinegar (avoid colored vinegar) in a bowl and soak your nails in it for 15 minutes. This will help in getting rid of any fungal infection which might be causing yellow stains. Consult a doctor if the discoloration persists to check if the nail discoloration is not due to any underlying health issues.
4. Orange Peel Scrub
Rub fresh orange peels on discolored nails for 15 minutes. Keep doing it every day until you get the desired results. Oranges have antioxidants in them which will help get rid of nail discoloration.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Pour a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a lukewarm bowl of water. Soak your nails for about 15 minutes and pat dry using a towel. This will help in getting rid of any fungal infection that might be causing stained nails.
