Painting your nails may make your hands look pretty and festive, but the same can’t be said with as much enthusiasm when nail polish ends up staining your clothes or carpet. Removing nail polish stains can be quite tasking if you don’t know the tricks.
Listed below are some widely tried-and-true nail polish stain removers:
- Hairspray
- Acetone
- Undiluted lemon juice
- Bug spray
- Baking powder
- Hot water
- Liquid soap
Table of Contents
Acetone and dish soap to remove nail polish stains
Acetone is commonly used as a trusted nail polish remover and works by dissolving the nail polish. It is available in any drug or beauty store and is effective on stained clothing.
You’ll need:
- 100 ml acetone
- 2 tablespoons of dish soap
- 100 ml hot water
Follow this procedure:
- Pour the acetone directly on the stain, enough to saturate the area
- Using a damp towel, dab the stain
- Keep patting while pouring more acetone, most of the nail polish will transfer to the towel
- Mix dish soap with the hot water, then pour on the remaining stain
- Using a toothbrush, gently work on the stained area. Continue to scrub until there is no more nail polish visible.
- Once satisfied with the result, rinse the area with cold water and throw your clothes in the washing machine with a regular load of laundry.
A surprising stain remover: Bug spray
Although it may be unexpected, bug spray is also among the best options for removing nail polish stains from clothes. If you don’t have bug spray on hand, you can make your own DIY bug spray using rubbing alcohol, hot water and essential oils.
For a nail polish stain remover, you’ll need bug spray and 500 ml of hot water.
Follow these steps:
- Spray the nail polish stain with bug spray.
- Scrub the stain gently with a soft-bristled brush to work the bug spray into the polish, which will lighten the stain.
- Rinse the stain with hot water.
- Reapply the bug spray and keep scrubbing until you are happy with the results
- Rinse and wash in the washing machine with hot water.
Hairspray isn’t just for your hair
Hairspray isn’t just helpful at holding hair in place, it works like a charm in removing nail polish stains from fabrics or carpets. It works as well as acetone, but hair spray alone won’t leave your garment spotless. Incorporating dish soap will seal the deal.
You’ll need:
- Hair spray
- 500 ml hot water
- 100 ml dish soap
Follow this procedure:
- Spray hairspray over the nail polish stain on the garment.
- Pour the dish soap directly followed by hot water, little by little.
- Scrub the stain gently with a toothbrush to work the two ingredients into the polish, which will loosen.
- Repeat the steps until satisfied that the polish has completely come off
- Rinse, then launder in the washing machine
Video: How to remove nail polish from fabric with hairspray
Dish soap, baking soda and lemon juice paste
Baking powder is an abrasive which makes it suitable for working on stains. Lemon juice is a natural whitener. And dish soap has proven to be a key ingredient in household cleaning dilemmas like this one. Mix these three things to get rid of nail polish stains on your clothing.
You’ll need-.
- ½ cup dish soap
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1 cup undiluted lemon juice
Follow these steps:
- Make a paste with the three ingredients in the measurements given.
- Put a bunch of the mixture on the nail polish stain. Make sure the stain is wet and not dry.
- Gently scrub using a toothbrush.
- After working on the stain gently with your brush, let the solution soak on your garment for an hour.
- Rinse and wash as you regularly do in the washing machine.
Did you get Super glue on your nails or clothes? Read this: How do you remove super glue from nails
Frequently asked questions about nail polish stains
How do you remove nail polish stains from clothes?
The best two ways to get rid of nail polish stains are with hairspray and acetone. If acetone is not suitable for the fabric you are spot-cleaning, then hairspray should be the other first alternative. They both remove the stain quickly and easily.
If the nail polish color doesn’t come off entirely, then add liquid soap and a baking soda paste and give it a gentle scrub.
Does acetone bleach?
Unfortunately, acetone is not recommended for all fabrics as it can leave white spots behind. Acetone is suitable for garments that can handle triacetate or acetate. Check the clothing’s label or test first on a small hidden place on the fabric if you see any bleaching spots. If so, use any of the other options above to remove the nail polish stain.
How do you remove nail polish stains from jeans?
Nail polish stains on jeans can be removed the same way as other garments using hairspray, acetone, or lemon juice and liquid dish soap. As always, start with milder cleaning products to avoid any damage to your jeans.
Can hydrogen peroxide be used to remove nail polish stains?
Hydrogen peroxide is also an effective way to remove nail polish stains from clothes. It has a bleaching effect that helps to quickly white-out stains of any kind from fabrics. Cover the stain with hydrogen peroxide, then blot the stain with a damp cloth until the stain completely transfers to the piece of cloth.
Do a spot test to make sure the hydrogen peroxide doesn’t damage your clothing.
Does rubbing alcohol remove nail polish stain?
Rubbing alcohol alone will not remove a nail polish stain. To make it effective, you can mix with other cleaning agents like dish soap and baking powder to make a paste and try to work on the stain.
Wrapping up
Whether you work at a nail spa or do your pampering at home, taking caution during your nail application process is essential in preserving your fabrics, carpet and upholstery. But if the damage gets done, you don’t have to give up on your favorite pair of jeans or outfit, follow the above removal methods and pick which option works for you. Enjoy self-care day without having to worry about stains.
