How to Get Nail Polish off Just About Any Surface

Co-authored by Guy Peters

Last Updated: September 7, 2023 References

It is pretty well known that nail polish will stain surfaces. However, it is all too tempting to give yourself a manicure on the couch or a pedicure on your floor, leaving your surfaces vulnerable to spills. If you happen to accidentally stain your carpet, wood, couch, or some other surface, fear not. Chances are, you already have the solution to your problem lying around the house.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Removing Polish from Wood and Laminate

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If you use 0000-grade fine stainless-steel wool, it should be gentle enough to take up nail polish but not harm the wood. Just be sure to scrub gently and in the same direction as the grain in the wood.
Use a plastic putty knife to remove any excess nail polish from the wood or laminate surface. It should come off easily but if it is resistant, dampen a cloth with warm water, and let it sit on the spill for thirty seconds. This should loosen the polish.

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Expert Source

Guy Peters
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 27 September 2021.} Pour the denatured alcohol on a cloth, and lightly rub it against the stain. Do not rub too hard for too long because it could take off the paint or wood finish. Always scrub with the wood grain, and not against it. ^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Removing Polish from Fabric and Clothing

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If you can, scrape off any excess nail polish from your clothes with a plastic putty knife or knife edge. You don't want to use a cloth to wipe if off because that will only worsen the stain.
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Use nail polish remover. ^{[3]
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Expert Source

Guy Peters
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 27 September 2021.} Perform a spot test before you use it, as nail polish remover can interact with some dyes and fabrics (it will actually melt acetate). ^{[4]
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- Choose a spot on the inside of the fabric as a test area.
Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol directly to the spill and blot it off with a clean cloth. Use firm, quick blots and be sure not to wipe the stain because it will spread the polish and push it deeper into the fabric. ^{[5]
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Baking soda is a great way to clean off nail polish and not damage your clothes. Dampen a clean cloth and dip it into baking soda. Then, gently blot away at the nail polish stain. Use firm and quick presses to blot. ^{[6]
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Wash the article with water directly afterward. After using a cleaning agent to wash away a polish stain, clean the area with water to remove residue. ^{[7]
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- Put the clothes into the washing machine if you are able to do so, but you should always hand wash items that cannot be put into the washing machine by blotting the affected area with a clean cloth and warm water.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Removing Polish from Carpet

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Grabbing a towel and rubbing the excess nail polish up may be your first instinct, but don't do it. This will only push the nail polish deeper into the carpet fibers and spread it around. Instead, you want to scrap it up with a plastic putty knife, spatula or knife edge, and blot the area with a clean cloth. ^{[8]
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This works best with medium to dark colored carpets. Saturate the area with glass cleaner and then blot the nail polish with a clean cloth until the stain lifts. ^{[9]
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Blot the polish with a polish remover. This is the best method for light or white carpet and should not be used on dark colors because it could remove the dye from the carpet. Pour a little non-acetone clear polish remover on a clean cloth and blot the area until the stain lifts. ^{[10]
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- Be sure the polish remover doesn't contain any dye as that could further stain the area.
Pour rubbing alcohol on to a clean cloth, and then blot the polish up. Don't give up if the polish just seems to keep coming, you want to get every last bit out. ^{[11]
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Vinegar works great to remove nail polish from carpet. Simply pour some vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the affected area. Then, blot the area clean with a clean wash cloth and warm water. ^{[12]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Removing Polish from Walls

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^{[13]
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Expert Source

Guy Peters
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 27 September 2021.} Pour a little rubbing alcohol on to the coarse side of a sponge. Then, begin scrubbing directly on the nail polish while trying to avoid the paint around the stain. Use small, circular motions to scrub. ^{[14]
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It may take a few minutes of gentle scrubbing before you completely remove the nail polish. ^{[15]
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Expert Source

Guy Peters
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 27 September 2021.} During this time, add more alcohol to the sponge as necessary. ^{[16]
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When you feel that you have lifted as much of the stain as possible, clean off the area and any residue with dish detergent and warm water. Dampen a soft cloth in the solution and gently rub the area clean. ^{[17]
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After you have finished cleaning, be sure to use a soft cloth to completely dry off the wall. ^{[18]
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Using rubbing alcohol may have stripped the paint from your wall. In that case, touch up the spot with the same color or consider moving furniture to cover any spots in the paint.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Removing Polish from Flooring and Tiles

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For granite, grout, concrete, brick, sandstone, tile, or a similar surface, you will need a gentle scrub brush and a few cleaning agents to remove spilled nail polish. ^{[19]
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Take a plastic putty knife, or some other hard edge to scrape away any polish you can. Scrape slow and gentle so you don't further damage your floor. ^{[20]
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Take a clean cloth and dip it in acetone. Then, dab the polish stain with firm pressure until you lift the stain. ^{[21]
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Make a cleaning solution of baking soda and water, and use either a soft-bristled scrub, or a soft sponge, to clean the remainder of the stain. When you are satisfied, clean the area again with warm water. ^{[22]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What does alcohol do to nail polish?

Guy Peters
House Cleaning Professional
Guy Peters is the Owner of MOP STARS Cleaning Service, a complete house cleaning service for residential and commercial clients, based in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 2014, MOP STARS provides regular, move in/out, deep, and commercial cleaning services. Guy has a BA in Finance from the California State University - Sacramento and an MBA from Cornell University.

Guy Peters

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Alcohol can break down and remove nail polish. Like acetone, the active ingredient in nail polish remover, alcohol is a solvent.

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Question

What can you use instead of nail polish remover?

Guy Peters
House Cleaning Professional
Guy Peters is the Owner of MOP STARS Cleaning Service, a complete house cleaning service for residential and commercial clients, based in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 2014, MOP STARS provides regular, move in/out, deep, and commercial cleaning services. Guy has a BA in Finance from the California State University - Sacramento and an MBA from Cornell University.

Guy Peters

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Any kind of alcohol-based product will work! Just expect to use a little extra elbow grease when working with a less-concentrated product, like hand sanitizer.

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Question

How do I get nail polish off paper?

Community Answer

Use hydrogen peroxide on a cotton swab. Gently push away from paper; do not press down.

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Warnings

Don't use nail polish remover on wood. It will only make things worse! Even if it gets out the nail polish stain, it will ruin the finish.

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Always perform a spot test on clothing or carpet with any solution that you choose to use.

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How to Get Nail Polish off Just About Any Surface

Steps

Removing Polish from Wood and Laminate

Removing Polish from Fabric and Clothing

Removing Polish from Carpet

Removing Polish from Walls

Removing Polish from Flooring and Tiles

Expert Q&A

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Warnings

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