Preparation

• 1). Dig large clumps of dirt from underneath your fingernails with your pointed nail file. Work from the outer edges of your fingernails toward the center of your fingernails. Be careful not to dig too deeply underneath your nails as the skin past the white portion of your fingernails is sensitive.
  
  
• 2). Rinse your hands in warm water.
  
  
• 3). Apply approximately a quarter-sized amount of antibacterial soap to one of your hands.
  
  
• 4). Lather your hands with the antibacterial soap under warm running water for approximately one minute. Make sure to massage your nails and cuticles lightly with your opposite hand to help get some of the antibacterial soap to activate around your cuticles and underneath your fingernails.
  
  

Soaking & Scrubbing

• 1). Pour approximately two tablespoons of antibacterial soap into a small plastic tub. The plastic tub should be large enough for you to rest both of your hands inside.
  
  
• 2). Fill the plastic tub approximately three-quarters full with warm water.
  
  
• 3). Soak your fingernails in the soapy water for approximately five to 10 minutes.
  
  
• 4). Scrub your fingernails lightly with your fingernail scrub brush. Move the brush in a back-and-forth motion across your fingernails, making sure that the scrub brush is perpendicular to your fingernails.