A pedicure at home keeps feet comfortable and neat between salon visits, or instead of them. It is mainly about three things: trimming toenails correctly, softening hard skin gently and moisturizing. Polish is optional.
Before you start
If you have diabetes, poor circulation, loss of feeling in your feet, or a foot wound, ask your doctor or a podiatrist before doing your own pedicure. Small cuts can become serious, and professional foot care is safer.
What you need
- A basin of warm water and a towel.
- Nail polish remover and cotton pads.
- Toenail clippers and a nail file.
- A pumice stone or foot file.
- An orangewood stick.
- Foot cream.
- Toe separators, base coat, polish and top coat, if you are painting.
Step 1: Remove old polish
Take off any old polish and look at your toenails. Check for changes in color or thickness. See Nail Discoloration: Causes and When to Get Help.
Step 2: Soak
Soak your feet in warm, not hot, water for five to ten minutes. A little mild soap is enough. Soaking softens nails and hard skin. Dry your feet well, including between the toes.
Step 3: Trim the toenails
- Use toenail clippers, which are larger and stronger than fingernail clippers.
- Cut straight across. Do not cut down into the corners or round the edges deeply. This is the most important step for preventing ingrown toenails.
- Leave the nail level with the tip of the toe. Do not cut too short.
- Smooth sharp corners gently with a file.
Toenail Care: Trimming and Hygiene Tips has more on toenail care.
Step 4: Smooth hard skin
While the skin is still slightly damp:
- Rub a pumice stone or foot file over the heels, the balls of the feet and the sides of the big toes.
- Use light pressure in one direction or in small circles.
- Stop when the skin feels smoother. Do not try to remove all hard skin in one go.
Never use blades, razors or graters on your feet. They cut too deeply and can cause infection. A little hard skin is protective. See Foot Calluses: Gentle Care and When to Get Advice.
Step 5: Tidy the cuticles
Apply a drop of cuticle oil and ease the cuticles back gently with an orangewood stick. Do not cut them, and do not dig under or along the sides of the nail.
Step 6: Moisturize
Massage foot cream into the tops, soles and heels. Leave the spaces between the toes dry, because moisture there encourages fungal infection. For very dry heels, look for a cream with urea. See How to Moisturize Your Feet and Cracked Heels: Care Tips and When to Get Help.
Step 7: Paint, if you wish
- Wipe each nail with remover to take off cream and oil.
- Place toe separators between the toes.
- Apply a base coat, two thin coats of color and a top coat, capping the tip of each nail.
- Let the polish dry for at least 30 minutes before putting on socks or shoes. Open-toed shoes are best for a few hours.
How often
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Trim toenails | Every four to eight weeks, as they grow |
| Smooth hard skin | Once a week, gently |
| Moisturize feet | Daily |
| Full pedicure | Every four to six weeks |
| Break from polish | A week or so every couple of months, to check the nails |
Hygiene
- Use your own tools and do not share them.
- Wash and dry tools after use, and wipe metal ones with rubbing alcohol. See How to Clean and Store Nail Tools.
- Rinse and dry your pumice stone, and replace it regularly.
- Clean and dry the basin.
- Do not do a pedicure if you have cuts, a fungal infection or a wart on your feet without advice. Tools can spread infection to other toes.
When to see a professional
See a doctor or podiatrist for a painful ingrown toenail, a thick or discolored nail, cracked heels that bleed, a corn that hurts, or any sore that does not heal.
A manicure follows the same pattern. See How to Do a Manicure at Home.
Related on ArniSun
- Toenail Care: Trimming and Hygiene Tips
- How to Moisturize Your Feet
- Foot Calluses: Gentle Care and When to Get Advice
- How to Do a Manicure at Home
- Cracked Heels: Care Tips and When to Get Help
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
How long should I soak my feet for a pedicure?
Five to ten minutes in warm water is enough to soften nails and skin. Longer soaking dries the skin.
Why should toenails be cut straight across?
Cutting into the corners or rounding them encourages the nail edge to grow into the skin, which causes painful ingrown toenails.
Can I use a pumice stone on dry feet?
It works best on damp skin after soaking or bathing. Used on dry skin it can scratch and irritate.