How to Remove Nail Polish from Clothes

Written by Karen Bates (last updated June 14, 2021)

It's a scary thought, but it could happen: you accidentally tip over a bottle of nail polish left on the table, and a drop of the nail polish spills onto your favorite shirt. The shirt is doomed, right? You might think it's time to throw it out since nothing gets nail polish out of fabric.

But don't toss that shirt in the trash yet! There is still hope for getting the nail polish out. There actually are ways you can try to remove the polish and any stain it leaves behind on the fabric.

Before you give up hope, try these ideas:

  • Wipe Away Excess Polish. If the spill is fresh, carefully wipe away the excess polish with a paper towel or old cloth. There will probably be a stain left behind on the fabric that you will now need to work on removing.
  • Use Nail Polish Remover. It might seem like an obvious idea, but you might not think to try nail polish remover on your clothing. While the remover can be a bit harsh on clothes, the fabric should be okay if you only use a little on the spot. If you are nervous about it, test the nail polish remover on an inconspicuous spot. To get the spot out, dab a paper towel or cotton ball with some polish remover onto the spot to lift it up. You might want to try a non-acetone remover since it could be less harsh. Don't use bleach.
  • Bug Spray or Hair Spray. It may be strange, but many people have found this to work. If the polish remover doesn't seem to work, use a tooth brush and some bug spray and hair spray to scrub out the stain.
  • Try a Special Cleaner. If nail polish remover or bug spray doesn't do the trick, you may want to try a cleaner made especially for this type of stain. You should be able to find these at your local store. Follow the directions carefully. You might also have luck with prewash sprays like Spray and Wash.
  • Rinse and Wash. Once you have removed the stain, rinse with water and then throw in the wash.

If one method doesn't seem to work, try different ones until the stain is gone. It is likely that at least one cleaning method will do the trick. If the stain absolutely won't come out, take the garment to a professional cleaner's.

Author Bio

Karen Bates

An English student who enjoys writing and art, Karen has had her poetry published in her university's literary journal and has several novels in the works. ...

MORE FROM KAREN

Scalloped Potatoes

Potatoes are tasty and easy to cook. Try cooking them scalloped (or au gratin) for a cheesy and delicious dish.

Discover More

Turkish Rugs

Turkish rugs can add class and sophistication to any room. You can find these lovely rugs in many unique patterns and ...

Discover More

Glass Lampshades

Everything you display in your home can impact the overall look of your interior, including lamps. Using glass lampshades ...

Discover More

The Power of Microfiber! Zwipes Microfiber Cleaning Cloths will become your favorite tool for every cleaning task. This 36-cloth package is perfect for hundreds of uses in the garage, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and all around the house. Each cloth is tough, streak-free, lint-free, reusable, and washable. Check out Microfiber Cleaning Cloths today!

More Cleaning Tips

Removing Nail Polish

Nail polish can be messy, but spills are not permanent. The simplest solution for nail polish spills is to use nail ...

Discover More

Nail Polish Stain

If you enjoy painting your nails, you probably know how annoying a nail polish stain can be. There are certain things you ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is eight minus 6?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.