h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I don't think you should use "household gloves" for gardening - even potting plants. Run your fingernails down a bar of soap, so that you have soap under the nails. Get your hands into the soil - they work much better than trowels and forks and other soppy and expensive bits of steel. Wash your hands in hot water and the soap and dirt will float out together. Now do a proper maincure and rub in some cream (two very different and equally delicious sensory experiences there)
Gardening gloves are lovely thick cotton affairs that keep the pricks out.

I have to admit here that I do next to no gardening. And my pot plants just get repotted when the cat knocks them over. But I like the tip, I'm probably going to seriously think about getting round to doing that sometime
Of course, you know the best way to get dirt from under the nails (and get lovely white nail-tips into the bargain) is to make pastry......

Although I see that this was posted many many years ago I thought I would still reply.

I must disagree with the comments about not wearing household gloves for re-potting plants and gardening, the last thing I want to do is put soap down my fingernails as this will not stop my hands comming into contact wiith the wet soil, also who knows what else is mixed in with the soil down the garden i.e. we have a lot of cats around here .......

Think I will stick with rubber gloves thanks !