Why You Need To Clean Your Nail Clippers ASAP

I would never go a day without cleaning my face, but I can be a pretty big slacker when it comes to cleaning beauty utensils. This is not a wise move! I recently discovered that cleaning nail clippers is not something to mess around with, which is why I've broken down how to clean your nail clippers at home. If it's been a while since you have, you'll definitely want to follow the cleaning directions below before you clip your nails again.

Why is cleaning your nail clippers correctly and frequently such a big deal? Well, I hate to break it to you, but your nail clippers can make a perfect home for fungal spores and bacteria. SteriShoe shared that "fungal spores can live on all kinds of surfaces for months — including metal toenail clippers. When you cut your fungal nail with your clippers, you can easily transmit the fungi to other toenails or fingernails — and even reinfect yourself — if you don’t properly sanitize your clippers." Yikes. If you think cleaning them once every few months is enough, think again — the CDC recommends disinfecting any nail tools before every use. That's right, guys — every single time you want to use them.

If you're the kind of person that always gets professional manicures, you still need to be your own advocate. Healthline advised, "If you get a manicure or pedicure at a nail salon, be sure to ask how the staff disinfects their tools and how often they do it." Nothing would suck like getting a manicure and a fungal or bacterial infection.

Luckily, it's a total breeze to clean nail clippers quickly and correctly with these simple steps.

You'll need:

• A scrubbing brush
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Antibacterial Soap

1. Dip Your Brush In Rubbing Alcohol

Swan Rubbing Alcohol, $7, Amazon

In a small bowl, soak your scrub brush in rubbing alcohol for five minutes so the bristles absorb the alcohol.

2. Scrub Clippers

Green Sprouts Nail Brush, $6, Amazon

Add a small squirt of antibacterial soap onto your alcohol-coated scrub brush, and scrub your clippers in small circles until completely cleaned. Rinse the clippers in warm water to remove any remaining soap suds.

3. Dry Completely

Tweezerman Deluxe Nail Clipper Set, $9, Amazon

To make sure the clippers don't develop any mold, make sure to thoroughly dry them with a paper towel and store in a Ziploc bag to avoid contamination.

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Images: Fotolia; Courtesy of Brands