How to Remove Nail Polish Stains

While nail polish looks great on your nails, it's murder on your clothes, leaving a bright stain that's tough to get out. Whether the bottle spills, the brush splatters or you accidentally touch wet nails to your clothing, you can get rid of nail polish stains if you act quickly. To remove nail polish stains, it's best to begin the removal process right away, before the stain even has time to dry. If you didn't notice until later, you can still follow these nail polish stain remover tips to get the polish out and save your clothes. Always make sure that the stain is completely out before drying the garment, however, as drying the clothing will cause the stain to set.

Acetone
Try pure acetone to remove nail polish stains, which can be found at your local drug store. Test it first on a hidden spot of the fabric to make sure the color doesn't bleed. Take a clean, dry cloth or paper towel and blot the acetone on the stain, being careful not to rub the nail polish further into the fabric or make the stain bigger. When you've blotted out most or all of the stain, launder as usual. Check to make sure the stain is completely removed before putting the fabric in the dryer, as drying it will set the stain. If any nail polish stain remains, repeat the process with the damp fabric.

Never use acetone on fabrics that contain triacetate or acetate (always check garment labels first), because it can dissolve the fibers. Instead, use amyl acetate on these fabrics, which can also be found at your local drug store.

Hairspray
To remove nail polish stains, spray the nail polish stain with hairspray and work it into the stain with a toothbrush or small brush. Remove any bits that come up and continue the process until the stain is removed. This may take 10 minutes or more and some elbow grease. When you are done, launder as usual, checking the fabric first before you put it in the dryer to be sure the stain is completely out.

Bug Spray
Get rid of nail polish stains with bug spray. A more mild, cosmetic version works well. Spray the bug repellent on the stain and work it in with a toothbrush or other small brush, removing bits as you go. When the stain is gone, launder as usual. Check to make sure the stain is completely removed before you put it in the dryer, since drying the garment will set the stain.

Acetone Nail Polish Remover
While pure acetone is best, most people who have nail polish also have acetone nail polish remover in the closet. Dab this on the stain with a clean cloth, paper towel or even cotton ball and work out the stain. (Check on a hidden spot of fabric first.) Launder as usual, making sure the stain is out before drying the garment. Make sure the nail polish remover you use is non-oily, as this will leave an oily residue, resulting in another stain you'll need to remove.

Sources:
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