Here’s how to remove nail polish stains from clothes and upholstery.

If acetone causes discoloration, use hydrogen peroxide instead.

If any color remains, try blotting with rubbing alcohol, working in gentle motions.

Tips for Removing Nail Polish Stains

The Spruce / Adrian Mangel

After washing, check to see if any stains remain.

Never dry a polish-stained fabric on high heat in a clothes dryer.

The dryer’s high heat can cause the stain to be permanently set.

collage of two Gain Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap Plus Aroma Boost on a light tan background

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Here’s what you’re gonna wanna do.

It’s unlikely that nail polish stains will come out in the laundry.

You’ll need to pretreat it with a solvent instead.

testing nail polish remover on a hidden area of the garment

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

If rubbing alcohol is too harsh for your garments, try hydrogen peroxide.

Centers for Disease Control.

removing excess nail polish off of a garment

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

dabbing the stain with acetone

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

dabbing peroxide on the nail polish stain

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

laundering the garment

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

removing extra nail polish with a dull knife

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

dabbing acetone on a nail polish stain

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

using a credit card to scrape away extra nail polish

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

applying acetone to the carpet

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska