Top 9 Tips On How To Remove Gel Nail Polish From Nails, Clothing, & Furniture

Overview

Nails and hair are the two most vital natural jewelry of women. Ladies at every period of time has been making their nails more beautiful and appealing by painting and decorating them with color, fake nails, and many pieces of jewelry else. As many other cosmetics, nail gel polish is very important for women. Like hair dyes, it makes our life more colorful and lively. However, removing gel nail polish without destroying your nails is a big problem with women. Moreover, sometimes, we can drop some nail gel polish on the clothing or furniture, which is really annoying as it makes our clothing and furniture look dirty.

But don’t worry, today’s article is going to give you top 9 tips on how to remove gel nail polish from nails, clothing, and furniture at home without causing any damage. These tips and DIY remedies are not only effective but also friendly with your health. Continue reading this article on Beauty Talk to discover them and then find one way that is suitable for you. Hope that these tips will work wonderfully and give you the satisfying result.

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I. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish – Must-Know Tips

A. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish From Nails

1. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish – The Foil Method

This method is used to remove your gel nail polish by applying a cotton ball soaked in acetone on your nails and putting a foil over the ball. This is the quickest and most effective way to remove gel nail polish from your nails. This method is also used popularly in the salon. So, this article will show you the way to do it at home.

To prepare for this method, you need 10-15 cotton balls, 10-15 strips of aluminum foils which are large enough to wrap around your fingers. You also need to prepare some pure acetone, gritty nail file, and petroleum jelly.

To remove gel nail polish by this method, you should do 6 steps below.

• Step 1: Remove the shiny top coat. First of all, you have to remove the shiny top coat which protects the gel nail polish from chipping. After removing this layer, it would be easier for you to remove the nail polish. Then, use a gritty nail file to buff away that layer. Your nails should look nearly rough and matte. Avoid filing beyond the top coat because you can file too close to the real nail and damage your nail.
• Step 2: Cover the skin around the nails with petroleum jelly^[1] to protect your skin from the damage of strong acetone.
• Step 3: Place a cotton ball soaked in acetone over your nail. Acetone will make the gel nail polish flake off. You should use 100% pure acetone for the best result.
• Step 4: Cut a piece of aluminum foil and wrap it over the cotton ball to prevent the acetone from evaporating and make it soak into the gel nail polish. Leave it for 30 minutes.
• Step 5: Check the polish to see whether it is flaking off after 30 minutes. Use your nail or an orange stick to check by slightly pushing at the end of the gel polish. If it isn’t flaking off, place the covering again for another 10 minutes. This time should be enough for removing the polish.
• Step 6: Clean the leftover gel polish and wash your hands with a mild soap to rinse off the acetone on the fingers.

2. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish – The Soaking Method

This method helps you remove the gel nail polish by soaking your fingers into acetone. It takes a long time and is less preferable. In this method, you don’t need a cotton ball or foils. Instead, you a large bowl and a medium bowl, pure acetone, gritty nail file, orange stick and petroleum jelly. To remove gel nail polish by this way, you should take five steps.

• Step 1: Mix acetone with warm water. You need to pour warm water fully into the large bowl. The water should be warm, not hot. You should keep acetone away from heat as it can burst into flame. Pour the acetone in the smaller bowl and put this bowl into the large bowl of warm water and leave it for 3 – 5 minutes.
• Step 2: When waiting for the acetone heated up in the warm water, you should use a gritty nail file to remove the topcoat layer of the gel polish. After buffed away, the gel polish should look matte. Like the previous method, you should apply petroleum over the skin around your fingers to keep your finger skin protected from acetone when you soak it into this solution.
• Step 3: Soak your fingers into the warmed acetone for about 10 – 15 minutes or until the gel polish starts to come off.
• Step 4: Push an orange stick at the edge of the flaking gel polish to remove it. If it is still hard to be removed, you should soak your nails into warm acetone for a few minutes longer to make it easily come off.
• Step 5: Like step 6 of the previous method, after removing the polish from your nails, you need to clean up all the leftover gel polish and use a mild soap to wash your hand thoroughly to make your fingers get rid of acetone. After removing the gel nail polish with acetone, you will feel your nails dry, so, apply some cuticle oil and nail cream to hydrate your nails.

3. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish – The Filing Method

Removing the gel nail polish, you needn’t use acetone. You only need to use a file to remove it. So, this is not only effective but also natural and safe method for removing nail polish at home without having to go to the spa or using any harmful chemicals.

To fill off the gel nail polish, you need to cut your nails first so that your nails are short and manageable enough. Then, you use a coarse grit nail file to file down the nails slowly. You ought to blow the dust away to notice how far you file away from the natural nails or you may damage your nails. When reaching the natural nail, you need to change into a softer nail file, which is not so harsh, to protect your nails from being damaged. You should be careful when filing the nails to avoid destroying the real nails.

When the filing process is completed and all the gel nail polish is removed, use a mild soap to wash your hand. Remember to nourish your nails by applying some oil after filing.

4. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish – Soaking & Peeling Off Method

This gel polish removing technique is less preferred and advisable. However, when you have no other option, you can do it carefully.

To remove the gel polish by with this method, you need to soak the nails in warm water first. You can also do this method after having a hot bath as your nails are wet enough to be removed. After making your nails wet properly, you push back the gel polish near the chipped edge with the help of a cuticle stick. The nail should be easy to peel off at that point. Peel off as much polish as possible. If you cannot peel off some parts as they are stubborn, you can file them off. Do not try to peel off the gel nails as you can damage your natural nail.

B. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish From Clothing

1. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish Using Nail Polish Remover

This method helps remove the gel nail polish from fabric by using nail polish remover. You should use a non-acetone remover, which is the gentlest product. You also need some soft cloths and cotton balls/swabs. Take some steps below to remove gel polish for your clothing.

• If the gel polish hasn’t dried, use a clean paper towel or cloth to blot up the polish as much as possible. If it has dried already, it may be more difficult to remove, but you needn’t worry because you can still eliminate it easily.
• First of all, you check the tag of your clothing to notice whether it will be acrylic when applied acetone gel polish remover or not. Some items might be damaged when you apply acetone on it. Therefore, you should be careful and serious about it.
• If the fabric is not damaged by acetone, you moisten a clean soft cloth with gel polish remover. If the affected area is not large, you can use a clean cotton ball/swab instead.
• Then, you gently blot the cloth/cotton ball/swab on a hidden area of your cloth to check if it is colorfast or not. You should test it in the inside of a hem. If the polish remover does not damage or remove the color of your clothing, it would be safe enough to be applied to the stained area.
• Blot the gel nail polish stain on your clothing with the soft cloth moistened with polish remover. While blotting, you will notice the polish in your clothing transferring to the soft cloth/cotton swab/ball.
• Switch to another clean part on the cloth/ball/swab to avoid reapplying the nail polish to your item.
• When you have removed the nail polish from your item, do the laundry as usual to remove all the leftover residue of the polish remover in your clothing.

2. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish Without Using Nail Polish Remover

If your clothing will be damaged by the acetone in the nail polish remover and you cannot use the method above, you can try this alternative way. You need an old toothbrush, off bug spray and hairspray to remove the gel nail polish in the fabric.

• If the nail polish on your clothing hasn’t dried, use a paper towel or clean cloth to remove it as much as you can. The stain remains or dried polish will be removed with the steps below.
• Do a test on the fabric by spraying a little off bug spray on a hidden part of your clothing. If the spray does not remove or damage the color, it would be safe for removing gel nail polish in the fabric.
• Spray a proper amount of the bug spray to the stained area so that the stain will be saturated. When the spray has absorbed into the polish, you use an old toothbrush to scrub the stained area gently. If you still cannot remove it, apply some hairspray, you’d better use cheap hairspray for the better result. Leave the solution for a few minutes, then, use the toothbrush to remove it gently.
• After removing the gel nail polish from your clothing, wash it, as usual, to get rid of the leftover stains.

C. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish From Furniture

Sometimes, we accidentally drop some fingernail polish on the wooden floor or furniture. In this case, you should take something below for consideration.

• First, you need to make out which kind of wood you are treating. Due to the porous features, wood may never totally release the color. Some woods are even more porous than other woods, like oak for example. Besides, birch, cherry, and maple woods are less porous than oak.
• If the gel nail polish is still wet, you can put a light pressure on a cotton swab, a clean soft cloth or a tissue placed on the nail polish on the floor to soak up it. Experts also advise to rubbing or using alcohol to remove gel nail polish from the wooden furniture and floor, but the pressure you put on the rubbing tools will impact on the result. You should use a clean soft cloth to rub the wooden furniture gently. Avoid rubbing too strongly as it can cause damage to the wood. You soak a clean sponge or soft cloth in the rubbing alcohol, place it on the stained area and leave it for a few minutes, then, gently scrub the furniture. You should notice the stain come off right away.

Alternatively, you can spray some hairspray on the stained area in your furniture, leave it on for 20 seconds, and wipe it off. You may notice that it does not come off right away, and what you need to do is repeatedly do this process many times. However, this preferable way will give you a splotchy item after removing.

If there is a stain of your white or light carpet, you can use a non-acetone polish remover to eliminate the stain instantly. If the carpet is dark, and you don’t know if the dye will interact with it or not, you should pour some hairspray or rub alcohol on, then use a paper towel or sponge to blot up the gel nail polish.

II. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish – Must-Know Precaution

1. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish On Nails

• Do not peel off the nails.
• Be careful when filing your nails and keep checking while filing to avoid filing off your natural nails.
• Do not peel off the gel manicure.

2. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish On Clothing

• Do not use acetone-based polish remover to remove the nail polish in acetate fabrics as the chemical can damage the fabric. Wash the acetate fabric to remove the gel nail polish instead.
• Remove the gel nail polish as soon as possible as dried polish on the fabric will be much more difficult to be removed than the wet polish.
• You should have a professional treat the nail polish dropping on delicate and dry-clean-only clothing. Remember to point out the stained part right after you drop the nail polish on to remove it right away.

3. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish On Furniture

• If the stained area in your furniture is large or placed on a valuable part, you should have a professional to treat it for you. Do not try to treat the stain yourself with normal methods or you may damage the furniture.
• Avoid using nail polish remover because the chemical contents in these products may do harm to your wooden furniture, destroy the natural color of the wood and cause unwanted color. You actually don't want to make it look less beautiful after removing just a small stain on it.
• After removing the nail polish from your furniture, you can clean your house as usual and needn’t worry that you can mess up the paint.

III. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish With Simple Remedies

1. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish With Lemon Juice & Vinegar Mix

Why: This is an effective DIY remedy replacing for the polish remover which is full of acetone and harmful chemicals. This home remedy is not only effective, simple but also safe for your nail health. Moreover, lemon can also help treat breaking nails effectively, give you beautiful and strong nails.^[2] Lemon juice and vinegar are both safe for your nails.

What you need:

–    Fresh lemon juice: 1 tablespoon.

–    White vinegar: 1 tablespoon.

–    A clean cotton ball

How to do: Mix 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar together to make the solution. Soak your fingernails in the warm water for 5 – 10 minutes. Then, dip the cotton ball in the solution and rub the nail polish off your nails gently for 10 – 20 seconds in each nail, or until you notice the nail polish comes off. This way will help remove the traces of the old polish from your nails efficiently.

See more: 26 amazing lemon beauty benefits for your skin and hair

2. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish With Perfume

Why: Perfume is another effective home remedy for removing nail polish with a favorable aroma thanks to the acetone content in these scented products.

What you need:

• Regular perfume
• A clean cotton ball/swab

How to do: Dip a clean cotton swab/ball in a small amount of your regular perfume. Rub the nail polish with a little pressure to eliminate the paint. Then, you will notice that the gel polish falls off instantly.

Warnings: As cheap perfume can help remove the nail polish, you needn’t use expensive perfume for eliminating your nail polish. Perfume also contains a lot of chemicals like benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, camphor, ethanol, ethyl acetate, limonene, etc. which can harm your health. So, you should not use perfume too much and frequently. Not only perfume but many other scented cosmetics also contain these chemicals.

See more: 7 best ways on how to make perfume naturally at home with/without alcohol

IV. How To Remove Gel Nail Polish – Nail Care After Removing

After removing the gel nail polish with acetone for a long time, your nails would be a little dry and brittle. So, you need to moisturize the nail properly with a gentle nail oil to improve the nail health. Because when the nail is brittle, weak, and dry, it is more likely to be broken and less glowing, healthy, and beautiful. Remember to moisturize your nails properly to make nails stronger.

To hydrate your nails after removing the gel nail polish, you can soak your fingernails in coconut oil for 5 – 7 minutes, then, you can apply the cuticle oil to the nail beds. You should not reapply the nail polish right away. However, if you have to go out and you want to apply the gel polish immediately, you shouldn’t apply creams or oils until you have applied the gel polish.

Alternatively, you can remove the gel nail polish before going to bed and leave the paint-free nails overnight. You can apply a proper amount of Aquaphor or Vaseline to the cuticles and lightly rub it into the nail beds before going to bed. This method will help moisturize your nails, make your nails healthy, strong, moisturized, and glowing.

The article has given you effective home remedies and must-know tips on how to remove gel nail polish at home. It also revealed some must-know precautions you should take into consideration to remove the gel nail polish from your nails, clothing, and furniture, specifically wooden furniture. These tips are highly recommended by experts and reviewed and tested by a lot of people. So, they are safe, effective, and favorable for most the people. If these method does not work with you, you should ask a professional for help. Do not try to treat the polish if it is stubborn or you can damage your nails or items. All content provided is for informational and educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional to determine which method is appropriate for you. For more remedies to stay healthy and have a beautiful skin, let’s visit our Health Care page. Do not forget to comment in the form below and let us know what you think. Welcome!