How to Clean Fingernail Polish

Don't rub when removing spilled nail polish or you will spread it further.

It's always fun to give yourself a manicure or pedicure, but what isn't fun is finding fingernail polish on your clothes, carpet or wood furniture. Polishing your nails is messy, so it is not uncommon to get nail polish in places you don't want it. Although nail polish stains look impossible to remove, if you do it correctly you can remove it without spreading the polish further.

Things You'll Need

• Rags
• Acetone nail polish remover
• Laundry detergent
• Water
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Bowl
• Dull knife or kitchen spoon
• Small bowl
• Bleach-free, lanolin-free dish soap
• Empty spray bottle
• Plastic putty knife
• Denatured alcohol
• 0000 fine steel wool pad

Instructions

Cleaning Nail Polish From Clothing

1. Blot the fresh nail polish spot with a dry rag. Do this carefully so you do not spread the fingernail polish. Switch to clean portions of the rag after each blot.

2. Moisten a rag with acetone nail polish remover. Dab at the stain with the rag until it is gone. Switch to clean portions of the rag often, and apply more nail polish remover as needed.

3. Drizzle laundry detergent and a couple drops of warm water onto the stain and work it in with your fingers. Wash the clothing as usual.

4. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water into a bowl if the nail polish stain persists after washing. Blot the mixture onto the stain with a clean rag. Lay the clothing in the sun to dry for several hours.

Cleaning Nail Polish From Carpet

1. Let the nail polish dry before trying to remove it from your carpet. Attempting to remove wet nail polish from carpet fibers will only cause it to spread. Once it has dried, scrape up as much of the dried nail polish from the carpet as possible using a dull knife or kitchen spoon.

2. Moisten a clean rag with acetone nail polish remover. Blot the nail polish stain carefully with the rag. Switch to clean portions of the rag often and apply more nail polish remover until the stain is gone.

3. Fill a small bowl with 2 cups cool water. Add a few drops of bleach-free, lanolin-free dish soap and mix it up well. Fill an empty spray bottle with plain water.

4. Wash the carpet stain with a rag and the soapy water. Spray the carpet with the plain water, then blot with a dry rag until all of the soap residue is gone.

5. Pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide onto the stain if it persists. Leave the peroxide on the carpet for 30 minutes, then blot with a rag until the nail polish is gone. Blot up excess moisture with a dry rag or paper towels.

Cleaning Nail Polish From Wood

1. Scrape up the fresh nail polish with a plastic putty knife. Do this slowly so you don't spread the nail polish. The polish will easily transfer from the wood to the putty knife.

2. Moisten a rag with denatured alcohol. Rub the rag gently over the spot until it is gone. Avoiding rubbing too long or too hard or you risk damaging the wood.

3. Wipe the affected area with a damp rag. Sand away any remaining dried nail polish from the wood with a 0000 fine steel wool pad. Rub very gently with the pad and only sand until the nail polish is gone.

Tips & Warnings

• If you removed some of the wood's finish while removing the nail polish, touch it up with a wood finish stain marker.

• Always test the product you are using on a small, inconspicuous area prior to applying it to a more noticeable area.

• Hydrogen peroxide may bleach some clothing and fabric. Only use it on whites, light-colored or colorfast items.

References

• Tip Nut: How To Remove Nail Polish From Carpet
• Mrs. Clean USA: Removing Makeup & Cosmetic Stains