Spilled your nail polish on your favorite jeans or white t-shirt? You should learn how to get nail polish out of clothes asap, whether youre removing it from cotton, polyester, silk or another fabric
Chipped nail paint is a no-no, but if youre wondering how to get nail polish out of clothes, theres a high chance that attempting to tidy your talons hasnt gone to plan. Perhaps youve spilled your best red on your favorite white shirt, or knocked the bottle on your nicest pair of jeans… Whatever garment youve got dirty, this is one stain to remove pronto.
Even the best washing machines can struggle to budge nitrocellulose (the main ingredient in nail varnish), so weve got some tricks up our sleeve to lift that lacquer off your tops, pants, and other items of clothing. Surprisingly, removing nail polish from fabric doesnt always require any special detergents and many of the items you can use may already be in your home, so there will be no need to overspend on a ton of cleaning products – or on a trip to the dry cleaners for that matter.
You can use nail polish remover on polyester, but you must make sure that the one that you have bought is 100% acetone. Try to find pure acetone in your store because acetone in some nail polish removers won’t do the job right.
Pre-treat with nail varnish remover or hairspray
We all know how acetone works, whether you want to remove your last color or, smooth out gloopy nail polish. But you can actually use it as a prerequisite to washing clothes with nail polish on them also. Sure, its a little strong-smelling, but you can use it with a good eco-friendly laundry detergent, on a cool setting for a relatively gentle wash.
Depending on the strength, acetone-based nail polish removers and hairspray can be pretty potent (and cause the color from your clothing to transfer/run), so its best to test on an inconspicuous area of your affected article of clothing and keep the solvent away from children. We like Pronto 100% acetone on Amazon for fuss-free results. Or if you need to tame your tresses anyway, pop LOreal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Lock It Bold Control Hairspray in your Amazon basket.
Method:
- Remove excess nail polish: Wait for it to dry, then scrape off the excess with a bit of cardboard/blunt knife (or hand-pick it very carefully, making sure not to rip your fabric).
- Apply the nail polish remover or hairspray: Soak the microfiber cloth in the acetone-based nail polish remover or hairspray. First, check that the solution does not discolor the fabric by testing it on the seam, or a less visible part of the garment. Dab the stains with the cloth until it has faded. Do not scrub or wipe. Insert your garment into the washing drum (either separately, or as part of a color wash.
- Add your chosen laundry detergent: This could be a liquid laundry detergent, washing pods, or washing powder. We like Tides coldwater pods on Amazon for energy-efficient cleaning. Choose the best washing machine symbol/setting to begin your laundry program and close the door to start cleaning. When using a washing machine, its good to know that most washers can clean at low temperatures (30C/86F).
Put your clothes in the freezer
No, we havent gone bananas. If you want to improve your chances of removing that pesky polish stain, put your clothes in your fridge freezer. Youll essentially want to use the cold environment to harden the offending material, and that way it should either snap off or you can use tweezers to pick it bit by bit. Stain removal thats as cold as ice!
How to Get Nail Polish Out of Clothes & Fabric
FAQ
Does nail polish remover damage polyester?
Does acetone break down polyester?
Can you use nail polish remover on fabric?
What takes ink out of polyester?
How to remove nail polish stains from fabric?
Hairspray containing alcohol and solvents can also be used to remove nail polish stains by spraying it on, letting it sit, blotting, and rinsing. White vinegar and lemon juice, when mixed with water, can be used as natural alternatives to remove nail polish stains from fabric. They are gentle, effective, and eco-friendly options.
Does Hairspray remove nail polish?
Hairspray contains solvents like alcohol that can help dissolve the nail polish, making it easier to remove from fabric. To use hairspray as a stain remover, spray it directly onto the stained area and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the alcohol to penetrate the fabric.
Can you use nail polish remover on cotton?
Use this method whether the nail polish is wet or dry. This method works effectively on cotton, linen, silk, denim, and most other fabrics. Proceed with caution if the item in question contains acetate or triacetate since the nail polish remover melts fabrics containing these chemicals.