The nail community was turned on its head when people started making the switch to glass nail files! After years and years of using emery boards, it was mind-blowing to discover a tool that not only lasts forever and a day, but is kinder and gentler to your nails too.
With a glass nail file lasting as long as it does, it’s essential to know the best way to clean it. A clean file will do its job more effectively than a worn one, and it will lengthen the lifespan of your tool overall. There are a ton of ways to approach doing this, but some work far better than others.
So, how do you clean a glass file? The best way to clean a glass file is with hot running water. If you notice buildup, you can wash your file with a cleaning agent like soap, but this isn’t necessary after every use. Proper sanitization should also be kept in mind, and this can be achieved with a cotton ball and alcohol.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best ways to clean, sanitize, and store your glass file and some improper cleaning methods you should probably avoid. Ready? Let’s dive in.
When To Clean Your Glass File
For those of us who have used nothing but a good old-fashioned emery board to shape our nails, you may be unaware of the fact that your glass file needs a little bit more attention from you to be in its best shape!
Unlike traditional nail files, glass and crystal files need regular cleanings to maintain their grip and filing capabilities.
Your fingernails harbor a lot of bacteria, even if you maintain an uber-clean lifestyle. Because of that, you’re going to want to clean your glass file after every single use. That may seem like a lot of maintenance, but it’s the best thing you can do for the health of your nails and your file!
While you can skip out on cleaning your file every once in a while, don’t expect your tool to last as long as it should. It’s important to remember that cleaning is a necessary part of glass and crystal file maintenance!
This is especially true if you’re filing down nails that are brittle, yellowed, or recovering from fungal infections. With conditions like these, proper cleansing after use will keep germs from spreading and prevent you from having to deal with them rearing their heads again.
Glass files are beloved for their cleanliness and gentle capacity, so keeping them working their best is vital!
Methods To Clean Your Glass File
Hot Water
After your nails are all dressed up and dry, it’s time to turn your attention to your file. The best cleaning method for glass files is super simple and takes literally less than 2 minutes to complete, so it’s easy to keep your glass file looking its best!
Simply lay out a towel (a paper towel is okay) on the counter, turn on the hot water, and wait until it gets steamy. From there, run the water on both sides of your file, working it into the grit and making sure all the nail dust is accounted for.
Then, go ahead and give it a quick shake to get rid of the excess water, and lay it on the towel. At this point, all you have to do is wait until your file is all dry so you can store it. That’s it! Super simple, and you just added some time to your file’s lifespan – definitely a win/win in our book!
Hot Water and Soap
Sometimes, you’ll notice a little more build-up on your file than usual. This is normal and usually happens after a week or two of use, or it can be due to a particularly thorough filing session!
Whatever the reason may be, hot water won’t be enough to bring your glass file back to health! So, in addition to it, we’ll be adding a dollop of antibacterial soap or dishwashing detergent.
Do the same method we mentioned above, getting both sides of your file wet with hot water. Then, add a little bit of soap to both sides, and work it in well- making sure to get the free edge, and near the base of the tool. Try and be as thorough as possible, making sure to get the soap into all of the grit you can.
Rinse with hot water, and continue being as thorough as you can! Accidentally leaving soap behind is a surefire way for your tool to harbor bacteria and germs, so make sure you rinse until the water stops bubbling. From here, air-dry as normal!
Dishwasher
You may be thinking, “I didn’t know my glass file could go in the dishwasher!” Here’s the thing: not all glass files can be washed in the dishwasher.
When you purchase your glass file, the package will clearly state whether or not it can be popped in the dishwasher for a super-deep-cleaning session. Then, and only then, should you even consider placing your nail tool in the machine.
If you’re not quite sure whether your tool is machine-safe, it’s better to air on the side of caution and stick to handwashing it! Putting an incompatible glass file in the dishwasher can break and damage your file, as well as ruin any designs or crystals adorning the surface!
For those with dishwasher-safe files, you should note that this isn’t a method to be done more than once a month. It’s just a way to get into all the nooks and crannies you may have missed during your regular washes.
Sanitizing Your Glass Nail File
After your file is all dry from being cleansed, the next step is to sanitize it. Sanitizing your glass file prevents the buildup of bacteria and germs while your file is stored, and takes even quicker than cleaning does!
A quick sanitization is also a great option if you’re not feeling up to cleaning your file. Though you should always take the time to clean your tool, sanitizing your file is better than storing it when it’s fresh from buffing your nail edge.
For a quick sanitization, spray some alcohol on both sides of your file and let it air dry, or wipe it down with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball.
For some serious sanitization (like if you’ve used it on an infected nail, etc.), you can boil your glass nail file in some water. Put it in the pot once the water has reached a rolling boil, make sure it’s completely submerged, and let it get nice and clean with a 30-minute soak.
After both methods, let your tool air dry.
How To Store Your Glass Nail File
Once your glass file is all clean and sanitized, the last thing you want to do is dirty it up with improper storage!
When you buy your glass file, it likely came in a carrying case already or had a storage pouch alongside it. This is to protect the grit of the file and ensure it doesn’t get worn while moving around in your manicure kit. Consider the included storage as your file’s home – it should always be there when it’s not in use!
You should only store your file when it’s clean and dry. Storing a dirty or wet file is a surefire way to invite germs to play. If the storage container is dirty and germy, your tool will get contaminated whenever you store it- which is the opposite of what we want to occur!
Related Questions
Can you resurface a glass file?
Glass files are built to last, and unlike traditional nail files, their grit doesn’t wear down in the same way as a classic emery board. They stay sharp, throughout wear and wash!
That being said, if you notice your board not having the same grit as it used to, or that it doesn’t file your nails in quite the same capacity, the only option you have left is to toss your tool. Unfortunate as it may be, resurfacing your file isn’t easy, nor time/cost-effective – you’re better off buying a new tool altogether!
How long does a glass nail file last?
With proper cleanings, sanitization, and storage, your glass nail should last for life, making it one of the most money-saving nail tools you can invest in! Of course, this depends on the quality of the file you buy, we really like this Crystal Nail File, it’s double-sided, professional-grade, and will last you use after use!
If you neglect proper upkeep and maintenance, the longest your file will last you is 6 months, and though that is quite a bit longer than the traditional emery board, it’s not ideal for a high-quality nail tool!
Do glass files work on gel or acrylic nails?
Unfortunately, glass nail files aren’t compatible with gel and acrylic nails. The polymers, monomers, and gels used are fairly thick- and take longer to break down than your natural growth.
Glass nail files are low-grit, and are meant to be gentle so as to not harm the keratin seal on your free edge. Using a glass file on fake nails will wear both your nail and the file down, so it’s better to stick to a disposable file with a more abrasive grit count.
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