Suggestions for non-plastic fingernail cleaning tools?

When I come in from the garden, I invariably have dirt caked under my fingernails. I rinse my hands outside and then go in to the sink, wash up and scrub under my nails with the brush you see below. But we're making an effort to stop consuming synthetic materials where we can. We've switched from plastic scrubbies to loofa for dish and hand scrubbing (it works just as well). I have a little foraging knife my daughter gave me that's narrow and concave. It works great but it's really slow.

What would a natural brush be made of? Can I make it myself? Would I just use broomcorn cut short? bind or glue? Does anyone do this? Making it would be coolest, but we buy tons of stuff, so that's fine too.

i think pig bristle is your best bet, but the specifics of how to actually make a brush with them isn’t exactly my wheelhouse. i feel like broomcorn would be a bit too thick.

i tend to use the pointy end of the file that lives in the middle of one of our fairly standard-issue fingernail clippers, myself.

Most households have a non-zero number of these conveniently close to the back door when you come in from the garden.



Quick wipe and it goes back in the drawer.

I always put my garden hose nozzle on "jet" and spray under my nails. Gets it all.

j

greg mosser wrote:i feel like broomcorn would be a bit too thick.
i tend to use the pointy end of the file that lives in the middle of one of our fairly standard-issue fingernail clippers, myself.

I agree with both of these. Broomcorn has my under-the-nail skin cringing already. Yowch!
Fingernail anatomy varies, and mine is such that brushes do very little to get things out from under my nails- I use a metal tool, or the file in my army knife, etc etc.

We also use loofahs now for a lot of stuff and they're great. I wonder if you used the cut ends of larger ones (with stiffer fibers), if that would provide a "brushy" enough sort of texture to get under your nails?

How about old toothbrushes?  It would extend their life a little more, and although possibly synthetic, it's better than just tossing it without using it in another iteration.
I remember when using straws became taboo.  I'd had a pack in a drawer that I got from Costco, so there are a lot.  I decided to try to send them through the dishwasher...guess what?  It was fine!  And that was on the "sterilize" setting.  I've been using the same two straws for over five years! While I'm eager for scientists to develop a natural, composting "plastic," I do use things like ziplock bags, but I wash them out and reuse them.  When they are no longer viable, I put them in a special recycling bag that I bring to the Transfer Station, where it's all transported to Trex, the deck flooring people.
I don't know if you have ticks where you are, but here they are everywhere.  It's advised to shower as soon as possible after being out in the garden.  I find that just running my fingers through my hair cleans my nails so that's a win-win, too!

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

I particularly want to call out the old toothbrush idea. That's a great suggestion, at least up until the bristles are falling out regularly. At that point I'd rather it go to the landfill than into my septic system. On the other hand, it points out the need for natural toothbrushes, which I hadn't even really thought about (except that I've used sticks for the purpose when camping).

Well, yes, when the bristles start falling out, it's best to not keep using it, but I think there is life to be had between it being a good toothbrush and bristles falling out. There are many natural toothbrushes on the market, too.
Luffas can be grown like squash.  I've not grown them, but their zone is pretty wide!  Someday.