Massachusetts Manicurist Practice Exam 2025 - Free Manicurist License Practice Questions and Study Guide

Using alcohol to clean nails after cutting the cuticles is an effective choice because it serves as a disinfectant. Alcohol helps to eliminate any bacteria or germs that may have been introduced during the manicure process. It evaporates quickly and does not leave a residue, ensuring that the nails are clean and ready for any additional products, like polish or nail treatments.

While water can clean, it may not provide the same level of disinfection and can leave the nails damp, which is not ideal for applying nail polish. Cuticle oil is beneficial for moisturizing the skin and nails but does not serve a cleaning purpose after the cuticles have been trimmed. Acetone is a strong solvent used primarily for removing nail polish and could potentially dry out the nails and surrounding skin if used for cleaning, making it less suitable in this context. Therefore, alcohol is the most appropriate choice for effectively cleaning nails post-manicure.