To be honest with you, domestic duties are always looked at as the least favorite chore among most people.
Between scrubbing, washing, and disinfecting, there’s one part of me that takes a serious beating: my nails.
Well, if you’re like me and enjoy having lovely and healthy nails, you know how easily they can become brittle during most activities.
I have personally experienced how water, chemicals, and hard surfaces often end up erasing the cutest manicure within days.
But here’s the good news: if you could provide an extra measure of care you can safeguard your nails and beautify them up even during the most rigorous cleaning schedule.
In today’s article, I want to focus on my personal favorite methods of how to maintain strong and beautiful nails while still being able to clean the house from top to bottom.
Why Household Chores Are So Harsh on Your Nails
Now, of course, it’s time to talk about why your nails are such a victim when it comes to house cleaning before we move to the tips.
I once had the perception that a little cleaning her and there would not harm… and OH I was wrong!
When being involved in cleaning, the hands and nails are least protected from harsh chemical and physical conditions such as those in cleaning products or even on the surfaces which are being cleaned.
On the list of substances which are not friendly to our nails, water tops the chart, especially when in excess.
Your nails are very vulnerable to breakage if you do not take them out from water after sometime they will become soft.
Additionally, those rather powerful agents that we employ to clean ourselves with (hey there, bleach!) ruin the skin that is around the nails and, therefore, the nails themselves in the long run.
Also, cleaning in general especially by scrubbing, wiping and washing exposes your nails to tiny injuries if the nails are already compromised.
Step 1: Invest in Good Gloves (And Actually Wear Them!)
Gloves are one of my favorite things to wear when I am ever doing chores around the house to protect my nails.
I used to never wear those gloves or rather I would avoid them because they were so bulky and would feel like you have extra appendages on your hands but today they are a must-have when cleaning the house.
Now imagine doing dishes or cleaning the bathroom or even wiping dust or surfaces, gloves serve as a shield between your nails and all the nasty things.
They guard your nails from water and chemical damage, and also prohibit the skin around the nails from becoming dry.
Now, however, yes, it can be quite natural to forget about gloves if you are just wiping the surfaces here and there for not more than 5-10 minutes.
However, just see for yourself – this major change is the kind of improvement you will be getting for your nails whenever you follow the proper habit of doing so.
If you happen to be a person who has to perform more delicate activities such as dusting or ironing clothes, and your nails, opt for more slender gloves, which will give you a better dexterity while the nails are still protected.
Step 2: Keep Your Nails Trimmed and Filed
This might sound counterintuitive if you’re someone who loves growing your nails (I get it, I do too!) but if you want to avoid a lot of damage especially during those days, you might want to trim your nails to average lengths.
When the nails are long, they get easily caught while washing the hands or while doing some tough work.
The last thing you would wish for is having a broken nail as you clean, half way through your cleaning spree, isn’t it?
I would rather have nails that are not too fancy but I would like them to be strong and healthy so that they do not bend or break easily as they chip off.
Step 3: Moisturize Like Your Life Depends on It
This is a real must-heed advice to everyone who wants to have strengthened nails – and if I had to pick one holy grail tip from the whole article, this would be it!
The thing with nails is that if you moisturize your hands and your nails consistently, it will make a difference.
Whenever I do any washing or sweeping or any house chores, my hands get dry and this affects my nails which become brittle.
What I do is put on a thick hand cream or oil after I am through with the chores.
Concentrate on rubbing the product into the nails and the cuticles as these areas are normally left with little attention.
It is important for you to ensure that your cuticles remain moist since dry cuticles lead to formation of hangnails, no one would wish for that.
You can even take the extra measure of putting some cuticle oil in the middle of the day.
One is by my desk and another by the bed and that way I can use it at all times during such spare moments after finishing a few tasks.
This little act of self care assists in making sure that your nails are flexible and therefore not so easily broken.
Step 4: Consider a Protective Nail Strengthener
As much as I am not one to recommend incorporating more products into the list, nail strengthening is something that has helped me so much especially when chore-filled weeks are around the corner.
It is possible to go for a strengthener as you would any other polish, and they are capable of drying rather fast.
The best thing that I like with them is that they not only give my nails that added shine but also a protection.
The only thing is you have to remove it and reapply it now and then so that your nails can look good and healthy.
Step 5: Take a Break From Nail Polish
Oh yes, this is the most challenging tip, which is a bit difficult for all the nail polish addicts like me because wearing nail polish all the time is not healthy for your nails, especially when you do not apply a protective coat underneath.
As much as I love painting my nails there are certain weeks when I am aware that there will be lots of washing and cleaning so I leave my nails bare.
This gives them a little time to recoup and most importantly, heal if there has been any casualties among them.
If bare nails are uncomfortable for you, use a clear protective coat or strengthener instead.
Step 6: Be Mindful of How You Use Your Nails
One bad habit I think most girls do unconsciously is the use of nails as tools.
You know what I mean – peeling off stickers that don’t want to come off, opening packages or even scraping off dirt if you do not want to get the correct tool for it.
Such acts are particularly destructive to nails.
Not only does it place stress on your nails, but it will also cause your nails to bend, break, or split.
It is something that I have had to learn to be very cautious with on how I am going to engage my nails.
Now I do not use them like some sort of a mini swiss army knife anymore, but rather attempt to use actual tools for the job.
Step 7: Hydrate from the Inside Out
Last but not the least, the topic that I would like to conclude with is, hydration.
It is important to note that your nails are the mirror of your general health hence the need to hydrate yourself.
When you’re dehydrated, your nails also become brittle, dry, and are easier to break.
While doing chores, I always need to have a water bottle around me, and I always take time to take a sip of water.
It not only helps me keep my energy up when I am cleaning, however it also aids my nails (and skin) in the long term.
Conclusion: You’ve Got This!
Caring for your nails during times that you are doing household cleaning tasks doesn’t have to be something complicated at all.
However, it is good to know that there are some ways of improving your nails’ appearance without having lots of time for manicures in the modern world.
Do not neglect to have a good quality of gloves, make sure that you have short and well-shaped nails, use a lot of creams and always be careful with how you use your nails.
These little habits will pay off and one day you will find yourself able to do chores with strong healthy nails that look good.
So go ahead, put on those gloves, grab your cleaning supplies, and let your nails shine!
