Nail Polish Stain Solutions

There are several things that will help remove a nail polish stain depending on the type of fabric that is stained. Here are some tips to make a snap out of the job.

Tip #1: Test Your Fabric Prior to Removing the Nail Polish Stain
Always test the fabric in an area that is not noticeable such as an inner hem or a part of the garment or cloth that does not show before treating the nail polish stain with any of the following tips.

Tip #2: First Do No Harm
Remember the Hippocratic Oath; first do no harm. Always start with the mildest solution and work your way up from there. Products like hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are fairly innocuous to most fabrics and blends and should be tried first on your nail polish stain before moving on to other solutions. Some abrasion may be necessary but use caution with delicate fabrics. More durable goods may stand up to a tooth brush or nail file. Delicate fabrics should be rubbed gently with your finger nail, finger tip or even a cotton swab to remove the nail polish stain.

Tip #3: If at First You Don't Succeed- Try, Try Again
In the event that the above products fail to produce satisfactory results you may have to move on to another round of stronger solvents found around the home to help remove the nail polish stain. Rubbing alcohol, hair spray, window cleaner or mosquito repellent for the skin are all possible choices. These products should be tried in this order with rubbing alcohol being the least offensive to most materials.

Tip #4: A Word of Caution about Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish remover is probably the last thing you'll want to try on almost any fabric as it can discolor many fabrics and will generally make the stain spread without getting the stain out. This should be used only as a last resort and with much caution.

Tip #5: How to Blot Your Stain
When using any of the above solutions especially nail polish remover- always work in toward the center of the stain, blotting as you go with a clean dry cloth or paper towel.

Tip #6: Removing Nail Polish Stains from Denims and other Durable Goods
For denims and other durable materials like carpet you may want to try simple abrasion first; this can be accomplished with your finger nail, a tooth brush or a nail file.

Tip #7: Removing Nail Polish Stains from Cotton Blends
For mostly cotton blends you may want to try using mosquito repellent that sprays onto the skin or any type of hair spray. Carefully spray the area stained with nail polish and then employ one of the above abrasion methods to remove the nail polish.

Tip #8: Tips for Silk or Jersey Fabric
For silk or jersey fabric you may want to try freezing the garment or applying ice that has been placed into a plastic bag so that it doesn't wet the area, then try peeling or scratching the nail polish off.

Tip #9: More About Freezingthe Fabric
Rub the nail polish stained fabric with ice in a plastic bag or freeze the fabric. This method can be used in conjunction with any of the above solutions to help harden the nail polish to make it easier to chip off the fabric or clothing.