How to get nail polish out of clothes
When your teens are working on their manicure, a polish predicament can occur in an instant. A spill of nail polish on their clothes can cause a bit of panic, but it doesn’t have to. A few helpful tips explaining how to get nail polish out of fabrics can keep you calm if a mishap occurs and get your kids back to their glam up routine.
Can you remove nail polish from clothes?
If you act quickly, it is possible to remove a nail polish stain from your clothes. Always start by checking the garment label. Test out your cleaning method on a discreet corner of your garment to ensure that the treatment won’t affect the color or fabric. Also, stains should be removed immediately following a spill. The longer a stain sits, the more it sets and can become harder to remove.
Removing nail polish from clothing: A step-by-step guide
Tackle your nail polish mess with this stress-free guide to get you back to refining your manicure. Nail polish can be stubborn, but cleaning your stain aggressively can cause it to set, making it more difficult to remove. So take a deep breath and prepare to calmly clean your garment with products you have at home.
Supplies
Piece of paper or dull knife
Oil-based soap
Cotton swabs
Tools
Washer
Dryer
Warm water
Step 1: Remove excess nail polish
Using something non-porous like a dull butter knife, gently scrape off excess nail polish. This will help avoid pushing more polish into the garment or setting the stain.
Step 2: Use soap and water
Work a non-flammable oil-based soap into the stain with a cotton swab. Keep replacing swabs when the clean one becomes fully saturated with color. Rinse with the warmest water your garment can handle.
Step 3: Drying
Allow your garment to air dry as you monitor the stain. If there is any residue left, repeat the steps to remove the rest of the stain. When the stain is removed, the garment can be placed into the dryer. Do not machine wash or dry garments that have come into contact with flammable substances such as non-acetone polish remover. Air dry these items instead.
How to get dried nail polish out of clothes
Non-acetone polish remover is a good option for most fabrics when removing dried nail polish. Check your garment label and ensure that the fabric on your garment does not contain acetate, modacrylic or triacetate. Test a hidden area of your garment first to make sure the nail polish remover does not remove color or damage the fabric. Scrape off any dried lumps of nail polish with a dull knife and dab with non-acetone polish remover on top of the stain, flip your garment stain-side down, and dab on the other side as well. Rinse with warm water and observe your stain. Air dry your garment and repeat the process if the stain has not lifted. Do not machine wash or dry fabrics that have been treated with nail polish remover or any other flammable substance.
If your garment does contain the fibers mentioned above, you can use hydrogen peroxide or baking soda to treat both sides of the stain. Proceed to rinse with warm water and observe the progress of the stain before putting your garment in the dryer. Test either treatment method on an invisible corner of your garment before trying it out on the stain.
What else can you use to remove nail polish from clothing?
Always refer to your garment label to better understand your clothing’s fabric and any acceptable cleaning methods. The label can possibly help you determine what method could be used to remove tough stains such as dried paint, grease and oil or nail polish.
A few possible solutions for removing nail polish from clothing include non-acetone nail polish remover, hydrogen peroxide, dish soap or baking soda. It is recommended that you test your cleaning method on a hidden spot on your garment before treating any stain. Never machine dry fabrics treated with flammable substances.
How to remove nail polish from clothes without acetone
It is recommended to utilize non-acetone solutions because of the potential risk of damaging your clothes with acetone. Luckily, there are plenty of other options you can use, including taking your garment to the professionals to be dry cleaned. At-home options include oily soap and water, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide or non-acetone polish remover.
Test your preferred method in a hidden spot on your garment before treating the stain. Dab your preferred solution with a cotton swab on the back and front of the stain. Rinse with warm water and repeat the steps including air drying before putting your clothes in the dryer. Never wash or dry flammable substances in your washer or dryer.
Can hand sanitizer remove nail polish from clothes?
Hand sanitizer has a high alcohol concentration that could break down a stain, however, it is not a recommended solution because of the potential risk of damaging your clothes and a flammable risk for your washer and dryer. Stick to the handwashing options and consider testing your treatment method on a hidden spot in your clothes.
Additional tips for removing nail polish from clothes
Check your care label for cleaning instructions.
Consider taking your garment to a professional cleaner.
Remove excess nail polish before treating the stain.
Test out your treatment on a hidden corner of your clothes.
Never use acetone or alcohol-based products for risk of damaging your garment.
Always use the warmest water your garment can handle.
- Do not clean the stain aggressively. It may make the stain bigger and damage your clothing in the process.
NOTE: Do not wash or dry any flammable substances in the washing machine and dryer.
Explore Whirlpool® washers
Explore Whirlpool brand washers for the right appliance to help you fight stains. The perfect washer for your family could be a top load option or front load. Whichever washer you choose can help simplify laundry days and give you some much-needed time with your loved ones.
Get more laundry tips from Whirlpool brand
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