You Spilled Nail Polish On Your Clothes. Now What?

Nail polish is one of the top beauty products that women use and unfortunately it is also one of the top products that can ruin clothes. If you have ever accidentally spilled nail polish on your clothing, then you know the instant panic that sets in. But thankfully for you, we are here to help! We know how frustrating it can be when nail polish lands on anything other than nails so today, we’re going to share our best tips for how to get nail polish out of clothes.

The first thing you should do if you spill nail polish on your clothing is to act fast. The sooner you treat the stain, the better chance you have of removing it. If the stain is still wet, start by blotting it with a clean, white cloth. Once you’ve blotted up as much of the excess polish as possible, it’s time to start treating the stain.

There are a few different ways that you can treat a nail polish stain, but we recommend using either rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. We will go over in more detail the process of getting nail polish out of clothes and some tips to prevent accidents from happening. We are also going to share some tips for getting nail polish out of furniture and clothes as well! So keep reading to learn more!

Removing Nail Polish Quickly

Again, the very first step after you’ve spilled nail polish is to take a deep breath and try to remain calm. We know it can be frustrating, but panicking will only make the situation worse. The next thing you should do is grab a clean, white cloth and start blotting up the excess polish. Do not rub the cloth back and forth over the stain as this will only spread the polish and make the stain worse. Also, do not push down and scrub at the stain as this can damage the fabric of your clothing and set the nail polish in even more.

Once you’ve blotted up as much of the nail polish as possible, don’t attempt to put it back in the bottle. This will not only be very difficult to do, but it will also be messy and could get onto other things. Also, at this point, the quality of the polish has likely been compromised and it would be best to just get rid of it. Instead, dispose of the cloth safely and then move on to the next step which is treating the stain.

Treating The Stain

Nail polish can be tough stains to lift but there are a few different ways that you can treat a nail polish stain. We recommend using either isopropyl alcohol or nail polish remover.

Here’s what to do if you choose to use rubbing alcohol: Soak a clean, white cloth in rubbing alcohol and then blot the stain with the cloth. You may need to do this a few times in order to remove all of the nail polish. Once the stain is gone, rinse the area with cold water and then wash the clothing item as you normally would. Be careful when using rubbing alcohol as it can be harsh on some fabrics. If you’re unsure, test a small, hidden area of the clothing first.
Here’s what to do if you choose to use nail polish remover: First, be sure to use acetone-free nail polish remover as this is less harsh on the fabric. Saturate a clean, white cloth with nail polish remover and then blot the stain with the cloth. You may need to do this a few times in order to remove all of the nail polish. Once the stain is gone, rinse the area with cold water and then wash the clothing item as you normally would. Be careful when using nail polish remover as it can cause some fabrics to fade or be dis-colored. If you’re unsure, test a small, hidden area of the clothing first.

Preventing Nail Polish Spills

Of course, the best way to deal with nail polish stains is to avoid them altogether! Here are a few tips that can help you prevent spills:

When applying nail polish, always be sure to do it in a well-ventilated area.
If possible, apply your nail polish at a table instead of on your lap. This will give you a stable surface to work on and will help to prevent spills.
If you don’t have a steady hand, try asking a friend to help paint your nails.
When painting your nails, do it in a tiled room with an old towel on your lap just in case. Or you can also wear clothes you don’t care about in case of a spill.
Be careful when opening and closing the bottle of nail polish. Nail polish can easily spill when the bottle is first opened as there is a small amount of pressure that is released.
When you’re finished applying nail polish, always screw the cap on tightly. This will help to prevent the polish from spilling if the bottle is accidentally knocked over.
Make sure you give your nails plenty of time to dry before doing anything else. If they aren’t dry, they can easily smudge against your clothes and as we know- these are tough stains to lift so let’s prevent that!

Hopefully, these prevention tips help you avoid a nail polish catastrophe next time! Now let’s talk about a few tips for getting nail polish out of furniture and carpet!

Getting Nail Polish Out of Furniture and Carpet

Possibly worse than spilled nail polish on clothes is spilled nail polish on furniture or carpet. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Here are a few tips for getting nail polish out of wood, carpet, and upholstery.

If the spill is fresh, quickly grab a clean, white cloth and blot up as much of the nail polish as possible. For most things, that will be enough to do the trick! If not, you can try using rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. There are also heavy-duty fabric stain removers that can be effective. However, make sure to read the label first to see if it’s safe for your particular piece of furniture. When using any type of solvent on furniture, always do a patch test first in an inconspicuous area to be sure that it won’t damage the finish or fabric.

If the nail polish has already dried, you’ll need to use a little more elbow grease. First, use a dull knife or credit card to scrape off as much of the dried polish as possible. Once you’ve done that, grab a clean, white cloth and soak it in acetone-free nail polish remover. Gently rub the cloth over the stain, taking care not to damage the furniture. You may need to do this a few times in order to remove all of the nail polish. Once the stain is gone, rinse the area with cold water and then blot it dry.

What If Nothing Is Working?

If you’ve tried all of the above and you still have tough stains to lift then it may be time to call in the professionals. A carpet cleaner or upholstery specialist will likely have the tools and expertise to get the job done right. They’ll also be able to tell you if the item is beyond repair and needs to be replaced. Not all items will need to be replaced, there are still ways to salvage them or cleverly cover the stain if all else fails!

We hope you found this article helpful! Spilled nail polish doesn’t have to ruin your clothes, furniture, or carpet. With a little elbow grease and some household supplies, you can get rid of those pesky stains in no time!

How To Get Nail Polish Out Of Clothes