There’s a reason why our “How to Get Fingernail Polish Out of Carpet and Fabric” post is popular—accidents happen! Especially when it comes to drippy, brightly colored nail polish. So what do you do when you’re ready to paint the town red and you accidentally paint your hardwood floors (or antique end table or dining room chairs) too? Don’t panic! Learning how to get nail polish off wood isn’t as difficult as you may think.
First, skip the nail polish remover. It can ruin the finish of hardwood floors and wooden furniture. Instead of nail polish remover, use rubbing or denatured alcohol. Depending on the type of wood, its finish, and other factors, you may also need some fine steel wool to remove all the nail polish.
Use a clean, white towel or cotton swab to dab a bit of rubbing alcohol on the spot before trying something harsher. Test the alcohol on an unnoticeable area of your wood floor or furniture before applying to the stain. If rubbing alcohol doesn’t get nail polish off the wood, dab it with mineral spirits.
How to Remove Nail Polish From Wood
Whether you need to know how to get nail polish off a wood table or hardwood floors, these tips will help keep the wood safe.
- Understand what you are dealing with. Because of its porous qualities, wood may not fully release the color, and some woods are more porous than others. Oak, for example, is more porous than birch, cherry, or maple. The finish on your wood should protect it from most spills and stains, but nail polish can still get into the grain.
- The easiest way to remove nail polish from wood is to clean the spill while it’s still wet. Use a cotton swab to soak up the excess, making small swipes with the grain to dab it up. Remove as much nail polish as you can before using your stain remover.
- While rubbing or denatured alcohol is a proven solution for removing nail polish from wood, how gentle you are in the removal process will determine the end result. Use a clean, soft cloth (felt works great) and try to go in the grain’s direction. Use light pressure because rubbing the stain too aggressively may damage the finish and the wood.
- You may be able to gently buff out any remaining nail polish without chemicals using 0000-grade steel wool. Gentle pressure working along the grain is key to getting the nail polish out.
- If you do get overzealous, spot treat the bare wood with wood touch-up markers available at most hardware stores. You can also lightly sand the unfinished area and blend the bare spot in with the surrounding wood using an oil-based finish applied with a touch-up brush.
How to Get Nail Polish Off of Furniture : Furniture Repair & Refinishing
FAQ
How do you get dried nail polish off wood?
Does nail polish remover ruin wood tables?
Does vinegar remove dried nail polish?
How do you get nail polish off a wood table?
Dampen a clean cloth with hot water and press it against the old stain to open the wood’s pores. Try a natural solvent like rubbing alcohol or acetone-free nail polish remover to destroy the stain particles and allow quick cleaning. Sometimes, despite your most prudent efforts, getting nail polish off a wood table isn’t in the cards.
How to remove nail polish stains from furniture?
Hairspray is worth trying when removing nail polish. It contains ingredients as rubbing alcohol which can help remove nail polish stains. Also hairspray will maintain the aspect of the furniture without damaging it. Pour a small amount of hairspray onto a clean cloth or cotton swab and apply it to the nail polish stain.
Can you remove nail polish from wood?
First, skip the nail polish remover. It can ruin the finish of hardwood floors and wooden furniture. Instead of nail polish remover, use rubbing or denatured alcohol. Depending on the type of wood, its finish, and other factors, you may also need some fine steel wool to remove all the nail polish.
How do you remove dried nail polish from wood floors?
If you discover a dried nail polish spill on your wood floors, you may need something stronger than rubbing alcohol. Mineral spirits aren’t as strong as acetone products like nail polish remover, but they do a great job of removing nail polish without damaging most wood floors. Spot test first and rub gently.