If you’re the type of reader who tries to save money anywhere and everywhere you can, then you probably prefer doing your own manicures and pedicures as opposed to paying for a professional to do it. After all, a little touch up here and there can greatly extend the life of a good mani or pedi and can save you lots of time and money in the long run. That being said, nail polish is rather unforgiving when it comes to spills and stains and even the littlest of mistakes can ruin an outfit.
We’re going to dive into how to save your nail polish stained clothes before it’s too late.
First, chill the area.
Every stain is a ticking time bomb that gets worse the longer you wait – especially when it comes to nail polish. Take a cold ice pack and press it onto the stain. This will prevent is from further bleeding and staying wet. Before moving on, touch the polish to make sure it has effectively dried and is contained.
Next, wipe away the excess.
If any, the now cool and dry nail polish should start to peel off in flakes from the fabric. We recommend using tweezers to carefully loosen the polish around the edges as to avoid damaging the fabric. Obviously, some fabrics are more porous than others, so the amount to can remove at this step may vary.
Now it’s time for the fun part – cleaning.
Use a soft cloth – we used a microfiber one – and add some acetone-based nail polish remover. Next, lightly tap or blot the stained area. This typically works best for a linen fabric or cotton, but can also work well on nylon and polyester. Careful with silk or wool though, as a strong nail polish removed maybe permanently damage the fabric.
Last, machine wash.
When it’s time to throw the fabric in the wash, make sure you use cold water and a good laundry detergent. Hang the article to dry.
Send to the cleaners if all else fails.
When in doubt, a good professional cleaner should be able to effectively remove the stain. On the bright side, you now know how to clean a stain properly if it ever happens again!
