How to Clean Nail Polish Off Leather

Act fast to clean nail polish off leather.

Whether it's your leather jacket or your furniture's upholstery that's the victim of nail polish, don't panic. While the best course of action is to remove the polish while it's still wet, you may be able to effectively remove it even if it has already dried. Be careful when attempting to clean the product off of your leather item to avoid any potential damage.

Things You'll Need

• Butter knife or spatula
• Paper towels
• Small container
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1 to 2 drops of mild liquid soap
• Spoon
• Non-abrasive sponge
• Running, lukewarm water
• Dry, soft cloth
• Art gum eraser
• Emery board or 220- to 280-grit sandpaper
• Vacuum

Instructions

Wet Nail Polish

1. Place the edge of a butter knife or spatula by the spill while holding a piece of paper towel close to the other edge. Carefully slide the knife or spatula under the polish to transfer it to the tool. As you remove the polish from the surface, wipe the polish onto the paper towel so you can continue to use the tool to get rid of the rest of the polish.

2. Fill a small container with a cup of lukewarm water. Add one drop of mild liquid soap and mix with a spoon to create a froth. If one drop doesn't produce bubbles, add another drop and mix.

3. Dampen a non-abrasive sponge by placing it under running, lukewarm water and squeezing out the excess water. Dip the sponge into the bubbles or froth on the surface of the water, and carefully wipe the area of the leather affected by the nail polish to remove any residue.

4. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.

Dry Nail Polish

1. Rub an art-gum eraser gently across the stain to remove the dried polish. Apply a bit of pressure if needed to dislodge it. If this step is not effective, proceed to Step 2. If it is, proceed to Step 3.

2. Sand the dried polish with an emery board or a piece of 220- to 280-grit sandpaper. Use light pressure, taking care not to damage the leather finish as you sand through the polish.

3. Vacuum up any residue from the dried polish that has fallen on the floor or other areas.

4. Place a cup of lukewarm water in a bowl and mix in one to two drops of soap with a spoon until you have a frothy mass of bubbles. Wet a nonabrasive sponge under a lukewarm tap and squeeze out excess water.

5. Dip the sponge into the bubbles and rub them on the area affected by the stain to remove any remaining nail polish. Dry the area with a soft cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use nail polish remover or other cleaners on your leather item to avoid damage or discoloration.

References

• Cosmetics LK: Removing Nail Polish Stains