Asked on Jun 05, 2013

Dirty Nails!!

Jayme Renee
by Jayme Renee
Any tips for getting your nails clean of dirt and mulch color? I just cant seem to get all the dirt out ...
Or should I just embrace this and wear my dirty nails like a badge of honor? :)
  17 answers
  • wear gloves : ) Beyond that, they sell nail brushes which work great - soap, water & scrub
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jun 06, 2013
    Hop in the shower and wash your hair, giving your scalp a good scrub. At least that works for me.
  • Jayme Renee Jayme Renee on Jun 06, 2013
    Thanks! I know the question is a bit silly but I just cant seem to get them clean!! Even with a brush and showering. I didn't know if there was a secret soak ingredient out there.
    • Marilou Simpson Marilou Simpson on Apr 28, 2020

      I hear you! I just mulched my gardens came in took and shower and washed my hair, still have the stains under my nails..I even used nail polish remover..nothing worked

  • Ivylore Ivylore on Jun 06, 2013
    I have the same problem- my nails are always dirty! I saw this posted on pinterest- rubbing your fingernails across a bar of soap before you garden. I haven't tried it yet tho, so can't say if it works :)
  • Linnya Linnya on Jun 06, 2013
    I have had the same problem and yes I have used a nail brush, boraxo powder hand soap,lava, washed my long hair etc etc. Best answer I came up with was to do a sink of dishes the old fashion way, in the sink with soap and hot water and give the dish washer the night off.
  • Ivylore Ivylore on Jun 06, 2013
    That will do it, Linnya :) My problem is when I'm done gardening, I'm too tired to do a sink full of dishes :)
  • L. Duclos L. Duclos on Jun 06, 2013
    I use exam gloves when I garden. They are thin enough that you can weed with them. You don't get dirt under your nails and your cuticles will thank you. I also use them for removing the seeds etc., from jalapenos and other hot peppers.
  • Thi Thi on Jun 06, 2013
    try scrubbing w/ baking soda and soap
  • Irma had it right. Working on autos and in the soil makes is difficult to keep nails clean. Using ivory soap rubbing fingers across helps prevent the build up under the nails. I have been doing this for years. You can also purchase a product called liquid glove. This is normally sold at auto supply shops. It is a cream that you rub into your hands and under the nails and helps get the hands clean. I use vaseline and rub it into my dry hands and it helps a lot. Any good quality hand lotion applied heavily will help fill the pores in the skin so the soil does not embed itself.
  • Ivylore Ivylore on Jun 07, 2013
    Makes sense! Will just have to remember to keep a jar of vaseline and a bar of soap with my gardening tools, that'll make it easier for me to remember to use it :)
  • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Jun 07, 2013
    Soak your hands in BLUE Dawn dish soap with peroxide -- about 1/2 and 1/2 of each.
    • DORLIS DORLIS on Aug 10, 2015
      @Elizabeth I agree, but I just pour a bit of peroxide on while washing my hands. Blackberry stain is about the only thing I have not been able to remove
  • Gladys Gladys on May 26, 2014
    I wear gardening gloves because I can't stand to get dirt under my nails and I don't even have long nails. I don't do much of this anymore though because of a bad back, so I have to count on hubby or friends to plant for me, except for window boxes etc.
  • Lisa Lisa on Jun 16, 2014
    Using a little "Soft Scrub" on a nail brush and scrubbing the under side of my nails helps me keep my long fingernails looking clean and free from bacteria. I also get a professional manicure about every couple of months.
  • Sally Roesner Fuhr Sally Roesner Fuhr on Sep 30, 2015
    lemon juice. Whitens as it bleaches.
  • Evelyn Adams Evelyn Adams on Sep 30, 2015
    Peroxide in a small plastic bathroom cup to dip finger tips for a few seconds to soak and then brush with soft nail brush, dipped in peroxide - works well for me - to remove stain from finger nails.
  • Mar3393727 Mar3393727 on Jan 31, 2016
    Before you do the task, scrape your finger nails over a bar of soap. Keeps the crap from getting under the nails. I wear surgical gloves, much easier !
  • Janice Janice on May 28, 2016
    I just googled this subject after mulching today. Thank you all for posting your answers for those of us who can't keep up with gloves