To protect your nails during household work, you mainly need to keep them away from water and chemicals. Nails are about ten times more absorbent than skin. Each time they are soaked they swell, and as they dry they shrink. Repeating that cycle many times a day, with detergent added, is the most common reason for nails that split, peel and break.
What housework does to nails and hands
| Task | Risk to nails | Risk to skin |
|---|---|---|
| Washing dishes | Swelling and shrinking; loss of natural oils | Dry, cracked hands |
| Cleaning with sprays, bleach, oven cleaner | Chemical drying; discoloration | Irritation, dermatitis |
| Laundry by hand | Long soaking | Dryness |
| Gardening | Breaks, dirt under nails, small cuts | Cuts, infection, rough skin |
| DIY, scrubbing, moving furniture | Knocks, tears, lifted nails | Blisters, cuts |
| Peeling and chopping food | Staining; acids from citrus and tomatoes | Irritation |
Gloves: the most effective protection
- For wet work: wear rubber, vinyl or nitrile gloves with a cotton lining, or separate thin cotton gloves underneath. The cotton absorbs sweat, which would otherwise soften the nails and skin from inside.
- For gardening and DIY: wear sturdy fabric or leather gloves.
- For handling food: thin disposable gloves protect against staining and acidic juices.
Using gloves well
- Make sure your hands are clean and dry before you put them on.
- Choose the right size. Gloves that are too tight press on the nail tips.
- Take them off after about 20 minutes, if you can, to let your hands dry. Long wear makes hands sweaty.
- Rinse the outside before you take them off, and turn them inside out to dry.
- Replace gloves that have holes. Water trapped inside is worse than no glove.
- If rubber irritates your skin, choose vinyl or nitrile. A latex allergy needs medical advice.
Other habits that help
- Shorten water time. Use a dishwasher if you have one, a long-handled brush for dishes, and do the washing dishes in one session instead of many.
- Use warm, not hot, water.
- Choose milder products, and follow the dilution on the label.
- Do not use your nails as tools. Use a scraper for labels, a knife for tape and the pad of your finger for buttons.
- Keep nails shorter if you do a lot of manual work. A rounded shape catches less.
- Clean under nails gently with a soft nail brush, not a sharp tool. Scraping underneath can lift the nail from its bed.
After each job
- Wash your hands with a mild soap and lukewarm water.
- Pat them dry, including around and under the nails.
- Apply hand cream straight away, rubbing it into the nails and cuticles. Hand Cream Ingredients: What to Look For explains which ingredients to look for.
Keep a tube of hand cream beside every sink, so that it becomes automatic.
Protecting a manicure
- Wear gloves for all wet work.
- Add a thin layer of top coat every two or three days.
- Rub hand sanitizer in with your palms, to keep it off polished nails as much as possible.
- Wait a few hours after painting before long contact with hot water.
See How to Care for Nails Between Manicures.
An overnight repair treatment
Once or twice a week, apply a thick layer of hand cream or ointment to your hands and nails at bedtime and wear cotton gloves overnight.
Signs your hands and nails need a rest
- Nails that peel, split or feel soft. See Peeling Nails: Causes and How to Care for Them.
- Red, itchy, cracked or stinging skin.
- Sore, swollen skin around the nails.
Red, itchy or cracked hands that do not improve with gloves and moisturizer may be hand dermatitis. See a doctor. Dry Hands from Washing: How to Adjust Your Routine has a routine for hands that are washed often. For nails that are already weak, see Brittle Nails: Causes and Everyday Care Tips.
Related on ArniSun
- Brittle Nails: Causes and Everyday Care Tips
- Peeling Nails: Causes and How to Care for Them
- Dry Hands from Washing: How to Adjust Your Routine
- How to Care for Nails Between Manicures
- Hand Cream Ingredients: What to Look For
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Do rubber gloves really protect nails?
Yes. Keeping nails out of water and detergent prevents the swelling and drying that weakens them. Cotton-lined gloves work best.
Why do my nails break after washing dishes?
Nails absorb water and soften, then dry and shrink. Repeated cycles, together with detergent, loosen the layers of the nail so that the tips split and break.
How can I clean under my nails without damaging them?
Use a soft nail brush with soap and water. Avoid digging with sharp tools, which can separate the nail from the nail bed.