You may think that spilling nail polish on a sofa or your favorite shirt will lead you to live with colorful stains all your life, but in fact, this substance is very easy to clean up. Read this article to learn how to get nail polish off clothes and upholstery.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Removing nail polish from clothes
Step 1. Place the dyed cloth face down on a few paper towels
The dyed cloth should be in contact with the paper towels. This method can be used for both dry and dry nail polish.
- This method is great for cotton, linen, silk, jeans and most other fabrics.
- Be careful if the item contains acetate or triacetate, as nail polish remover will dissolve fabrics containing these chemicals.
Step 2. Blot the polish stain with acetone
Use a cotton swab or a paper towel soaked in acetone (available from your pharmacy's nail-care store) and blot the back of the fabric over the stain. This will transfer the nail polish stain from the fabric to the paper towel.
Step 3. Rinse and repeat
Rinse the stained area of the fabric in the sink, then place on clean paper towels. Repeat the above steps and finish transferring the nail polish stain onto paper towels.
- Repeat until the paper towels are clean after blotting. As soon as there are no stains on the towels, this means that the nail polish is completely removed.
- Check the fabric for traces of nail polish. If you see that a little color remains, then soak a cotton swab in acetone and carefully remove the varnish.
Step 4. Wash your wardrobe item
Apply the stain remover to the area where the stain used to be, then wash following the care instructions on the label. The stain should completely disappear, and you should be able to put on the item as soon as it dries.
Method 2 of 3: Removing nail polish from upholstery
Step 1. Wipe off the nail polish immediately
If you have time before the varnish dries, it will be much easier for you to clean it. Use a cloth or paper towel to clean and try to remove as much nail polish as possible.
- Do not smudge the stain to prevent the surface to be cleaned from getting larger. Use a paper towel and wipe off the nail polish with short strokes.
- Use the most absorbent cloth or paper towels and try to clean off as much nail polish as possible so that as little polish as possible is absorbed into the upholstery.
Step 2. Blot the upholstery area with acetone
Use a cotton swab or other product that can accurately apply a few drops of acetone to the stained area. Only the painted area needs to be blotted.
- You can take a test smear on a hidden area of tissue. Acetone reacts with some types of fabrics, including those containing acetate or triacetate, so cleaning can make the upholstery look worse.
- Do not pour acetone over the stain, as it will be more difficult for you to make sure it does not spread.
Step 3. Use a clean cloth to remove the nail polish
Blot the stain gently, then use a clean area of cloth to blot the stain again. Add more acetone and continue blotting until the stain is removed.
Step 4. Rinse the upholstery area with warm water
Use a sponge to remove traces of acetone or hydrogen peroxide from the cloth. Let the upholstery dry completely before using it.
Method 3 of 3: Alternative Ways to Remove Nail Polish
Step 1. Use hydrogen peroxide
Some fabrics that do not react to acetone can be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide. Use the same strategy.
- Blot the stain thoroughly with a clean towel dipped in hydrogen peroxide until it is gone.
- Hydrogen peroxide can whiten fabrics, so do a test blot on an inconspicuous area of the fabric.
Step 2. Try hairspray
Apply it to an old toothbrush, then use a circular motion to remove the stain from the fabric.
Step 3. Use insect repellent
Some argue that the repellent you spray on your skin to protect yourself from insects works wonders when cleaning nail polish from clothes. Spray it onto an old toothbrush, then use a circular motion to scrub the polish off the fabric.
Step 4. Rinse and dry
Regardless of which method you choose, rinse the previously stained area to get rid of the substances you used to clean the nail polish off the fabric.
Advice
- If the item is expensive, perhaps the best thing to do is take it to the dry cleaner.
- Spray hairspray on a cotton swab and rub the stain well several times. The hairspray will remove the nail polish as the friction looses the molecules.
- If one method doesn't work, try another until you get rid of the stain. It is likely that one of the ways will still cope with the stain. If the hairspray won't clean, take the garment to a professional cleaning.
- Take action immediately. A fresh stain is easier to remove than an old stain.