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Over time, your nail clippers can accumulate buildup. While this is normal, it’s really important to clean and disinfect the clippers regularly to avoid getting infections from bacteria and fungus. Read on to learn what disinfecting techniques and care tips will ensure your clippers are safe and ready to use.
Best Way to Disinfect Nail Clippers
Soak your nail clippers in a bowl of rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or hospital-grade disinfectant for 30 minutes. Rinse the clippers with warm water and dry them completely. Disinfect your nail clippers once a month to keep them clean.
Steps
Using a Heat Sterilizer to Disinfect Nail Clippers
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Prepare an autoclave or bead sterilizer . Sterilization requires getting your clippers to a hot enough temperature to kill bacteria and microorganisms. Autoclaves or bead sterilizers are special machines intended specifically for this purpose. [5] X Research source
- Marta Nagorska, a licensed nail technician, explains that an autoclave is what most nail salons use and is the best way to kill all bacteria on your clippers. [6]
X
Expert Source
Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist Expert Interview. 26 May 2021. - Each sterilizer will be different, so follow the setup directions for your sterilizer for the best results.
- You could also use an oven to sterilize your clippers. To do this, lay your clippers on an oven-safe pan and bake them at precisely 170°C (340°F) for 60 minutes. [7] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
- Plastic nail clippers should be sanitized with another method, as the intense heat of this sterilization process may melt them.
- Marta Nagorska, a licensed nail technician, explains that an autoclave is what most nail salons use and is the best way to kill all bacteria on your clippers. [6]
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Expert Source
Marta Nagorska
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Wipe off your clippers. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe your clippers down before sterilizing. This removes any loose bits of gunk or buildup. Pay extra attention to ridges and contours on your clippers, as gunk and buildup love to hide in these places. [8] X Research source
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Sterilize your clippers in the machine. Follow the instructions on your chosen sterilizer for how long to place your clippers into the machine. Some sterilization methods may require more time to completely sterilize your clippers than others. Generally, you can expect a metal tool to be sterilized if it has been held at a minimum of 170°C (340°F) for 60 minutes, but sterilizing machines may take as little as a single minute. [9] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
- Heat conducts easily through metal, so you may want to use gloves or an oven mitt when handling freshly heat-sterilized tools.
- Glass beads can sometimes stick to your clippers when using a bead sterilizer. Be careful, as these will be extremely hot. [10] X Research source
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
- Aim to disinfect your nail clippers at least once a month. [17] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to sourceThanks
- Bleach can be used to disinfect nail clippers; however, it isn’t generally recommended as the solution is extremely strong and can cause burns or other health problems.Thanks
Warnings
- Exercise caution whenever using heat to sterilize. The extreme temperatures can easily cause burns.Thanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about nail art, check out our in-depth interview with Marta Nagorska .
References
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/how-to-trim-nails
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-sterilization/chemical-disinfectants.html#cdc_generic_section_5-hydrogen-peroxide
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-hydrogen-peroxide-good-for
- ↑ https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/130-5
- ↑ https://youtu.be/hfqd2r2QqxE?t=11
- ↑ Marta Nagorska. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 26 May 2021.
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-and-sterilization/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/hfqd2r2QqxE?t=55
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-and-sterilization/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfqd2r2QqxE
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/how-to-trim-nails
- ↑ Marta Nagorska. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 26 May 2021.
- ↑ Marta Nagorska. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 26 May 2021.
- ↑ https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/laws_regs/common_violations.pdf
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/how-to-trim-nails
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/personal-hygiene/nails.html
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/how-to-trim-nails
About This Article
You can easily disinfect your nail clippers with a toothpick, a brush, and some cleaning liquid. Start by wiping off your clippers with a clean cloth to remove any buildup or gunk. If there’s buildup in the crevices, use a toothpick or tweezers to dislodge it. You can also use a bristle brush to remove gunk from the clippers. To sanitize the nail clippers, soak them in a glass bowl of store-bought disinfectant for the recommended amount of time. Most disinfectants need to be diluted with water, so make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging. To learn how to use a heat sterilizer to clean your nail clippers, read on!
