Nail Polish on Your Clothes or Chair? How to Remove It Without Causing Damage (2025)

Equipment / Tools

Materials

How to Remove Nail Polish From Washable Clothes

1. Test the Fabric

   Apply a dab of acetone-based nail polish remover to a hidden spot on your clothing to ensure it does not change the material's color. If acetone causes discoloration, use hydrogen peroxide instead.

   

2. Remove Excess Fingernail Polish

   Do not rub the stain as this can push the polish deeper into the fabric. To clean off excess nail polish, use the edge of an old credit card or dull knife to lift it away as quickly as possible.

   See Also

   How to Get Nail Polish out of ClothesHow to Get Nail Polish Out of Fabric: 7 Effective OptionsHow to Remove Nail Polish from Clothes

   

3. Dab Stain With Acetone

   • Place white paper towelsunder the stain to absorb the nail polish remover (or hydrogen peroxide).
   • Dab a cloth or cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover on the outside of the stain, working inwards.
   • Replace paper towels and cotton swabs as needed, and continue dabbing until all traces of the polish are gone.

   

4. Remove Traces With Rubbing Alcohol

   Place the garment under running water to rinse away leftover nail polish remover. If any color remains, try blotting with rubbing alcohol, working in gentle motions.

   

5. Launder the Garment

   After removing the stain, launderthe clothing item as usual to remove the cleaning solution. After washing, check to see if any stains remain. Never dry a polish-stained fabric on high heat in a clothes dryer. The dryer's high heat can cause the stain to be permanently set.

   

How to Remove Nail Polish From "Dry Clean Only" Clothes

If the garment or fabric is labeled as "dry clean only," the safest bet is to get it to a professional cleaner and point out and identify the stain as soon as possible. But if you wish to try it at home, here's what to do:

• Find a hidden seam on the garment, and dab dry cleaning solvent or rubbing alcohol to ensure it doesn't change the fabric's color.
• Use an old credit card or dull knife to remove as much excess nail polish as possible.
• Dab the stain with rubbing alcohol or dry cleaning solvent applied to a cotton swab or a clean white paper towel. Use a fresh swab and additional product as the color transfers to the swab.
• When finished, allow the alcohol to evaporate entirely.

How to Remove Nail Polish From Upholstery

Spilled a bottle of nail polish all over your sofa or rug? Here's what you need to do.

• Dab acetone-based nail polish remover on a hidden area to ensure the solvent will not change the material's color.
• Use a dull plastic edge to remove as much nail polish as possible.
• Use an eyedropper or cotton swab to apply a few drops of nail polish remover to the stain.
• Immediately blot the area with a clean white cloth or paper towel.
• Continue applying nail polish remover and blotting until you remove as much of the stain as possible.
• Once the stain is gone, clean away any remaining residue with dish soap and water. Blot dry.
• Vacuum to lift the carpet or upholstery fibers.
  

Additional Tips for Handing Nail Polish Stains

• Be persistent and repeat if necessary: Acetone-based nail polish remover and alcohol will dissolve fingernail polish, but it may take repeated treatments to remove all traces of the stain.
• Read labels first: Before you do anything about that nail polish stain, find and read the fabric content label of your garment or accessory.
• Try hand sanitizer as an alternative: If you don't have a nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol on hand,try hand sanitizer with a high concentration of rubbing alcohol to remove nail polish stains.
• Give other home remedies a try: Create a mixture of 1 part white distilled vinegar and 1 part heavy-duty laundry detergent. Blot the stain with the mixture and wipe it away after 10 minutes with a cold-water-moistened cloth.
• Act fast: Clean the nail polish stain ASAP to ensure the stain doesn't set.
• Get professional help: If you have a large or very dark nail polish stain, take your item to a dry cleaner. Also, steer clear of trying to clean stains from acetate, triacetate, modacrylic, wool, silk, or other natural fibers that are not colorfast. Instead, take them to the dry cleaner.
  
• Handling vintage or delicate upholstery: You can use these cleaning techniques on most upholstery, but if your furniture is upholstered in silk or vintage fabric, contact a professional.