How to Get Nail Polish off Walls—Without Removing the Paint
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The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Nail polish can be beautiful on fingertips and toes, but it doesn't belong on a painted wall. Whether the stain was caused by a splatter or a budding artist, it should be removed before you attempt to repaint the wall.
The techniques for removing the nail polish without removing the paint are a bit different depending on whether you catch the stain while the polish is wet or find it after it has dried. The key to success is to work slowly and do your best not to smear the polish and make the situation worse. With some basic household supplies, you should be able to remove the polish and still protect the painted finish.
Warning
While nail polish remover (acetone) works wonders on removing polish from fingers and most fabrics, it should NOT be used to remove nail polish from painted walls or other painted surfaces, as the acetone will also remove the paint.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Old, soft cloth
- Small bowl or bucket
- Sponge
Materials
- Dishwashing liquid
- Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
- Borax
- Safety razor blade
- Cotton swabs
- Melamine sponge (Magic Eraser)
- Clear nail polish
Instructions
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The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
How to Remove Wet Nail Polish From Painted Walls
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Wipe Away Wet Polish
Use an old, soft cloth or a cotton swab to wipe away the wet polish. Work from the outside edges of the stain toward the center to prevent spreading the stain and making the problem worse.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Mix a Cleaning Solution
In a small bowl, combine one cup of water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Sponge Away the Remaining Polish
Dip a sponge in the soapy water and gently wipe the remaining polish off of the painted wall. If all of the polish won't come off the wall, use a damp melamine eraser (such as a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) to gently remove any remaining color. Do not scrub, or you may remove the paint!
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
How to Remove Dried Nail Polish From a Painted Wall
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Treat the Stain with Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol
Pour a small amount of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol into a small bowl. Dip a cotton swab in the alcohol and dab at the edges of the nail polish stain. Use a fresh cotton swab as the color from the nail polish transfers from the wall to the swab.
This will take lots of time and patience. Keep working from the edges to prevent spreading the stain until most of the stain is removed.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Coat the Dried Nail Polish With Clear Nail Polish
If the dried nail polish won't budge, try coating it with wet clear nail polish. Paint clear nail polish directly over the dried polish. Allow it to sit for one minute. Wipe away the loosened nail polish with an old cloth.
Repaint with more wet nail polish and repeat the steps until most of the color is gone and you can move to the next step of washing the wall.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Use a Safety Razor Blade
If rubbing alcohol or clear nail polish does not cut through the dried nail polish, you can attempt to remove the stain with a safety razor blade. Gently slice away the layers of nail polish. Keep the blade flat against the wall surface and work very slowly.
Warning
Use a small blade scraping tool where the blade can be retracted after use.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Mix a Cleaning Solution
In a small bowl, mix one cup of warm water, a few drops of dishwashing liquid, and a teaspoon of powdered laundry borax. Stir well to dissolve the borax.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Wash the Wall
Use the soapy borax solution on a sponge to wipe down the wall and remove any remaining bits of color. Wring the sponge well to prevent over-wetting the wall and use a gentle touch.
If there are any traces of the nail polish remaining, gently wipe the wall with a damp melamine (Magic Eraser) sponge.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
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Touch up the Wall Paint
If after your best efforts a bit of color remains, the wall paint can usually be touched up without repainting the entire wall.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska