When it comes to staying healthy, you should avoid sharing personal hygiene items with others, such as toenail clippers. Sharing toenail clippers can spread blood-borne pathogens and infection. If you must share your toenail clippers, disinfect them after each use. In addition, disinfect your toenail clippers after every use if you have athlete's foot, a staph infection or any other fungal or bacterial infection to prevent re-infecting yourself.
Step 1
Fill up a clean sink or small dish tub with warm soapy water, using hand dishwashing detergent or any type of liquid soap you have on hand.
Step 2
Put on a pair of latex gloves to protect your hands from the germs on the nail clippers.
Step 3
Place the toenail clippers in the soapy water. Scrub the nail clippers, using a kitchen brush or toothbrush to remove dirt and debris. Hold the toenail clippers and the brush underneath the water while scrubbing to prevent the water from splashing on you.
Step 4
Rinse the toenail clippers under warm running water to remove the soap.
Step 5
Dry the toenail clippers with a paper towel or set the clippers on top of a paper towel to air dry.
Step 6
Soak the toenail clippers in a cup filled with disinfectant for a minimum of 10 minutes or as directed by the manufacturer. Use an Environmental Protection Agency registered disinfectant that is labeled as a bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal or make your own disinfectant out of household bleach. The Virginia Department of Health recommends mixing 1 part bleach in 9 parts water to make a disinfectant strong enough to kill Staphylococcus aureus and other dangerous organisms.
Step 7
Rinse the disinfectant off the toenail clippers under warm running water. Dry the toenail clippers with a paper towel or set the clippers on top of a paper towel to air dry.
Things You'll Need
- Hand dishwashing detergent or liquid soap
- Latex gloves
- Kitchen brush or toothbrush
- Paper towels
- EPA registered disinfectant or household bleach
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