Nail polish remover is one of those makeup accessories that are the lone rangers on a dressing table. They serve an important purpose, though: Removing nail polish in a matter of seconds! A quick change of clothes calls for a different nail polish shade, and spills are common in such situations. After all, you are dealing with a small bottle of liquid, which is bound to happen. However, when a spill occurs on your clothes, you should act fast.
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Quick Answer
Even though a nail polish remover is a clear liquid, it can leave stains on clothes. It causes a bleaching effect, which can ruin the overall look of your dress. The good news is that you can remove this stain before it does any lasting damage. All you need to do is clean it with a stain remover and launder the clothes according to instructions on its tag.
Now that you know how you can deal with nail polish remover spills on your clothes, let’s take a look at some of the other information regarding this clear liquid and what else it can do:
What Is a Nail Polish Remover?
To understand how nail polish remover stains clothing, you first need to know this liquid.
As the name says, nail polish remover is a colorless liquid that helps remove nail polish. There are two types of removers: Acetone-based and non-acetone-based. Both nail polish removers can be used on natural nails. However, the latter was originally created for artificial nails. You can even use everyday household items as natural remedies to remove nail polish.
Nail Polish Remover With Acetone: As an organic solvent, acetone dissolves plastics, rubber, oils, and fats. It is also added in paint buckets as a stripper. It has a diluted formula as a nail polish remover, so it works differently. The built-in adhesive in the nail polish acts as glue. Hence, the color sticks to your nails. When the nail polish is dabbed with the remover-soaked cotton ball, the acetone eats the adhesive, giving you back your natural nails.
Nail Polish Remover With No Acetone: This nail polish remover has ethyl acetate instead of acetone. It’s a mix of acetic acid and ethanol that works similarly to an acetone-based remover. The chemical composition of this nail polish remover makes it gentler o the skin. It does not work as quickly as acetone, but it can be used on fake nails. While this remover was originally created for artificial nails, you can also use it on natural nails. Moreover, many people prefer it over acetone-based remover because it has a less pungent smell.
Natural Alternatives: As we said, some nail polish removers have harsh chemicals. If you are looking for an alternative, you can use natural ingredients. However, keep in mind that they might not work as quickly as store-bought nail polish removers. You can use a blend of lemon juice and vinegar to rub on your nails. This will break the nail polish’s structure as both are acidic. You can also rub a lemon slice dipped in soapy water on your nails or immerse your nails in the water for 5 to 10 minutes and then scrub the nail polish with the lemon slice.
What Makes Nail Polish Remover Stain Clothing?
We can all agree that nail polish remover can be a life-saver. However, it also has the potential to wreak havoc on clothes. A misconception that most people have is that nail polish remover contains acetone, and that’s the culprit. In reality, acetone dries out quickly, and since it is clear, it does not leave behind any stains. It is usually the other additives and chemicals that damage the fabric. Even if you are buying nail polish remover that does not have acetone in it, you still might end up staining your clothes.
Nail Polish Remover Does Stain Clothes
Depending on what type of nail polish remover you are using, the chances of your clothes getting stained vary. For example, if you use a DIY solution of lemon and vinegar, there will be no stains. It’s an entirely different story when it comes to nail polish removers with chemicals in them. Yes, acetone might or might not stain your clothes, but the bleaching effect it causes depends on the type of clothes you are wearing. Some fabrics lose color easily while others don’t. At first glance, it might look like the fabric has some spots on it, but in reality, it’s the color that has come off. The good news is that you can remove the stains, and the bad news is that if it’s the bleaching effect, nothing can be done about it.
How Acetone and Non-Acetone-Based Nail Polish Removers React With Clothing
Acetone-Based Remover Will Destroy Certain Fabrics
As mentioned earlier, acetone reacts slightly differently when it spills on clothes. It does not cause a stain. However, it should be kept away from triacetate, modacrylic, and acetate. The acetone in the remover will eat them. Since acetone evaporates quickly, there’s no knowing how it will react with clothes. Denim will bleed color, so you will see the color fading if acetone-based remover spills on this fabric. Bed sheets fall in the same category along with any fabric that isn’t colorfast.
Non-Acetone-Based Remover Will React Differently
The effects of non-acetone-based remover are less harsh. Synthetic materials are more likely to survive if non-acetone remover spills on them. If the remover has fragrances and conditioners, that might cause the stains, stripping away the color from the fabric.
How to Remove Acetone from Clothes
Use laundry detergent to clean the fabric to check if the acetone stain is just a stain or a bleached spot. Dip a clean cloth with warm water and gently rub the stain with the detergent. Rinse your clothes in cold water, and you are done. You can also use a stain remover to see if the spot is permanent or can be cleaned.
Is Acetone Bad for the Fabric?
Acetone has its pros and cons. While it can cause a bleaching effect, it can also help remove grease stains. Since acetone evaporates fast, you need to act quickly when cleaning the fabric. Once blotted the fabric with acetone, use a clean rag to clean the grease stain with dishwashing liquid and warm water.
Wrap Up
In conclusion, nail polish remover might or might not cause a stain to form on your clothes. If the chemicals in this liquid can break down plastic, a piece of fabric is no match.
However, acetone in its pure form will never bleach a fabric. It’s the other chemicals that cause the stains. So, we suggest that when removing nail polish, do it very carefully.