How do I remove a wet nail polish stain?

Dab the area with a paper towel and use a cotton wool ball or cotton pad dipped in nail polish remover to rub the stain in a circular motion. Rinse with cold water and blot dry.

How do I remove a set nail polish stain?

Carefully scrape off any excess nail polish with a dull knife. Create a mixture of one tablespoon of liquid detergent and two cups of cool water and dip a cotton wool ball or cotton pad into it. Rub the stain in a circular motion and rinse off the area with cold water. Blot dry with a paper towel.

Are there any other remedies for nail polish stains?

Rub a small amount of dish soap into the area with a soft cloth, and then rinse off with cold water. Alternatively, spot the stain with a small amount of hairspray on a cotton ball.

WikiLaundry > Stains > Nail polish > Ball gown

How to Eliminate Nail Polish Stains from Ball Gowns

A ball gown can easily become stained with nail polish, turning the pristine piece of clothing into a blotchy disaster. Luckily, there are a few techniques that can be used to save the fabric and keep it looking its best.

Updated 28 Feb 2023

By Noemi Denker

Removing Wet Nail Polish

If nail polish is still wet, dab the area with a paper towel to remove any excess polish. Place a cloth underneath the stain so that the other side of the fabric isn't affected. Dip a cotton wool ball or a cotton pad in nail polish remover, and then gently rub the stain. Use a circular motion and don’t saturate the fabric. Once the stain has been removed, rinse the area off with cold water and blot dry with a paper towel.

Removing Set Nail Polish

For a set stain, use a dull knife to carefully scrape off any excess nail polish. Take care not to push polish further into the fabric. Create a mixture of one tablespoon of liquid detergent and two cups of cool water. Dip a cotton wool ball or cotton pad into the mixture and gently rub stain. Avoid rubbing too hard and saturating the fabric with the mixture. Rinse off the area with cold water, and then blot dry with a paper towel.

Other Remedies

If the stain remains, rub a small amount of dish soap into the area using a soft cloth and lukewarm water. Rinse the area off with cold water, and then blot dry with a paper towel. For more stubborn stains, pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide onto a cotton wool ball or cotton pad, and then rub the affected area. Rinse it off with cold water and blot dry with a paper towel.

Tips

Always blot dry the area instead of rubbing – otherwise the fabric will be damaged.
Act quickly! The sooner you act, the better chances of removing stain.
Test the cleaning method on a small area of the fabric first, to make sure it won’t damage the color.
Try spotting the stain with a small amount of hairspray on a cotton ball.

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