How to Remove Nail Polish from Clothes (Without Ruining Them)

I spilled nail polish on my favorite shirt last week, and I thought it was ruined. But then I found this simple method that removes nail polish from clothes without damaging the fabric. I was so surprised when it worked!

What You'll Need

Acetone-free nail polish remover
Cotton balls
A clean white towel

Step-by-Step Guide

Blot up as much nail polish as possible with a clean towel. Do not rub! Rubbing will spread the stain.
Place a clean towel under the stain to protect the other side of the garment.
Dampen a cotton ball with acetone-free nail polish remover.
Blot the stain with the cotton ball. Change the cotton ball frequently as it absorbs the nail polish.
Continue blotting until the stain is gone.
Wash the garment in the washing machine on the hottest setting that's safe for the fabric.

What to Avoid

Never use acetone nail polish remover on synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon. Acetone will melt these fabrics and ruin your clothes. Always use acetone-free nail polish remover.

For Delicate Fabrics

If the garment is made of a delicate fabric like silk or wool, take it to a professional dry cleaner. Don't try to remove the stain yourself – you could ruin the fabric.

Related Home Cleaning Tips

Now you don't have to throw away your clothes just because of a nail polish stain! For more easy cleaning tips, check out our Home Cleaning section or return to home.