In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about glass nail file care, including how to clean a glass nail file, whether they wear out (spoiler: they don’t), and the best way to keep yours in top shape for years to come. Let’s dive in!
How to wash a nail file
If you've only ever used an emery board nail file before (seriously, please stop--your nails will thank you), then you're probably used to using one until it wears out, then throwing it away and buying a new one; rinse and repeat. But glass nail files, also called crystal nail files, are meant to last a very long time, and, with a certain amount of care, they will. How long does a glass nail file last? It can last forever, as long as you take proper care of it (and don't drop it--these things are miraculous, true, but they are made of glass, after all). So if you're wondering how to clean a glass nail file, read on.
Do glass nail files wear out?
People often ask: do crystal nail files wear out? And the answer is no. The filing surface of a glass or crystal nail file has its rough texture etched into it, and it stays that way forever. If you were to look at a clean glass nail file under a microscope, you'd see thousands of tiny peaks and valleys--this is what creates that rough texture you can feel. As you use the file, those peaks don't get any smaller, but nail dust and residue can build up in the valleys between them. Eventually, that residue fills the valleys up to the tops of the peaks, and as that happens, the filing surface begins to feel smoother and less effective.
So if you're wondering how to sharpen a glass nail file or, in other words, how to make a glass nail file rough again, the answer is to clean out all that built-up residue. With proper care of glass nail files, you can keep that debris from building up, which will keep your crystal file working perfectly for years and years.
It's also worth noting that acrylic nails can damage crystal nail files. Remember those peaks and valleys we talked about? Acrylic is a very strong compound that will take the tops right off those peaks in a way that keratin, which is what your actual nails are made of, won’t. So if you like to wear acrylic nails and you need to shape them or file them down, that’s the one case in which a disposable emery board is probably a better option. As long as you're using your glass nail file on natural nails and following the advice below, you shouldn’t have any issues.
How to clean a glass nail file
The best way to clean a glass nail file is simply to wash with soap and water after each use. First, rinse the file under warm water to wash away any loose particles and debris. Then use a mild soap and gently scrub with a brush to remove any built up residue (you can use a nail brush for this, or even a toothbrush). Using an autoclave on glass or crystal nail files is not recommended, as it can change the color of the glass. An autoclave is a machine that uses steam, pressure, and heat to sterilize things, and many salons use these to sterilize their tools so that they don’t spread contaminants between their clients. There are tools designed especially for salon use that resist changing color when put in an autoclave. But for normal, at-home use, if you're wondering how to clean crystal nail files, you don't need an autoclave--just soap, water, and a brush.
How often should you wash a glass nail file?
It's important to wash your file after each use once enough particles build up on the filing surface, they can solidify and become impossible to remove. Another option is to file your nails underwater. That way, the particles never get lodged in the file—they just wash away and you don't have to worry about cleaning at all! And what could be more relaxing than filing your nails in the bath?
In conclusion, there's no reason not to use glass nail files. They don't wear out, the amount of time you'll spend caring for a crystal nail file is minimal, and the health benefits for your nails are absolutely worth it.
