You may find yourself in the position of wanting to remove an old layer of nail polish and then apply a new one or to leave your nails natural, but having realized that you have run out of acetone. If you are a lover of glazes with glitter, then, you may have great difficulty removing it even using the purest acetone. Fortunately, in both situations, there are numerous useful solutions to remove old nail polish using common household products.
Note:
Most of these methods, however effective, will need to be repeated several times to ensure an ideal result. None of the products offered are as good as commercially available nail polish removers, but all of them, with the right amount of patience, can give good results.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use Common Home Use Products
DIY Nail Removers
Step 1. Try removing nail polish using alcohol or products that contain it
The higher the alcohol content, the better the result. Obviously the first choice should be common denatured alcohol, but there are many other products that contain alcohol (or ethylene glycol). If one of the products you have available at home appears in the list below, it means that it may be effective in removing nail polish:
- Scent.
- Spray hair spray.
- Hand sanitizing gel.
- Spray deodorant.
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Disinfectant for wounds.
While liqueurs shouldn't be your first option, clear, high-proof spirits, such as vodka, gin, and grappa, can be a great ally against nail polish. If you decide to use them, to get a good result you need to soak your nails in the liquor for about 10-20 minutes
Step 2. Use white wine vinegar or a solution made from vinegar and lemon juice
Vinegar is a natural acid that can prove to be very useful in household chores. In our case it could even prove to be a good solution to remove nail polish. To intensify its effect, mix it with the juice of half a lemon (or even orange): citric acid is also an excellent cleaning agent.
Before trying to remove the nail polish, soak your nails in the acid solution for 10-15 minutes. You can speed up the process by scratching the polish with the nails of your other fingers
Step 3. Use a common toothpaste
A small amount will be more than enough. After applying it to your nail, brush it with an old toothbrush or scrub it with a tissue. In general it is advisable to use a white toothpaste, as it tends to affect and absorb the color of the enamel.
Mixing the toothpaste with a small dose of baking soda, known for its natural cleansing properties, can give even better results
Step 4. Mix two parts of hydrogen peroxide with one part of warm water, then soak your nails in the solution for 10 minutes
Basically, if you use 250ml of hot water, you need to add 500ml of hydrogen peroxide. Use the hottest water you can handle; also, from time to time, scratch the old nail polish with the nails of the other fingers. After the indicated time has elapsed, file the surface of the nails to remove it completely.
Step 5. While not a recommended method, you can try using a paint thinner or thinner
Remember that this method is only applicable as an exception, as the chemicals contained in these products are dangerous to health. That said, they will surely allow you to effectively remove nail polish, sometimes even as quickly as using acetone. The following products are to be regarded only as last resort, to be applied only in a well-ventilated area:
- Pure acetone.
- Paint thinner.
- Solvent for paints.
Apply the Acetone Substitute
Step 1. Apply the selected product using a cotton ball
Once you have identified a potential nail polish remover substitute, soak a cotton ball or tissue in the product, then rub it all over your nails. If necessary, pour more on the cotton. In case it becomes saturated with color, replace it with a clean one.
Step 2. Let the product sit for one minute
Since you are not using conventional nail polish remover, you need to let it work for longer. Make sure the product stays in contact with the nail polish for about a minute.
- The longer you leave it on, the better the final result will be.
- If the first attempt fails, to enhance the treatment you can try to immerse the nails directly in the chosen solution for 4-5 minutes, and then continue with the following steps.
Step 3. When it's time to remove the product from your nails, scrub to get rid of the nail polish as well
After waiting for about a minute, use a cotton swab or clean handkerchief to scrub your nails. You will likely have to put in a little more effort than when using acetone. Being able to remove thicker or glitter nail polishes may also take some time. If you are not satisfied with the result, you may have to repeat the whole process.
- An old toothbrush can help you scrub more effectively.
- Paper handkerchiefs are typically stronger than cotton, so they can be a better choice for removing stubborn glazes.
Step 4. Dip your fingers in hot water, then try to scratch and chip the nail polish
The heat loosens the nail polish's grip, allowing you to stick another finger nail under the paint layer in an attempt to chip and peel it off. This method can help you finish the job if there are any remaining bits of color left on the nail or weaken the polish before reapplying the acetone substitute a second time.
- For the best possible result, use the hottest water you can handle, but be careful not to burn yourself.
- You may have to let your nails soak for up to 20-25 minutes, so make yourself comfortable in front of the TV, you can remove your nail polish as soon as your favorite show is over. If necessary, heat the water again.
Method 2 of 3: Use a New Coat of Nail Polish to Remove the Old One
Step 1. Choose a nail polish that doesn't dry too fast
Nail polish dries due to the evaporation of the solvents it contains. Applying a new layer of nail polish over the old one tends to soften those same solvents; once it has returned to a semi-liquid state, the old enamel can be removed more easily. The most effective product to carry out this method successfully is a dense enamel, which dries very slowly. A clear top coat might work, as it tends to dry gradually. Avoid extra fast drying products, as well as sprays or drops to dry nail polish quickly.
Some blogs suggest using a darker color nail polish than the one you want to remove. The most important point, however, remains to choose a product that dries slowly
Step 2. Apply polish to only one nail at a time
Spread it over the old layer, even if not too precisely since you will have to remove it immediately afterwards. Do not wait until it is dry, otherwise removing both layers will be even more complicated, also requiring even more time.
Step 3. Quickly remove the newly applied nail polish
Immediately after applying the new layer of enamel, hurry to remove it. A paper handkerchief should ensure the best result.
- Many women are used to removing nail polish with solvent and cotton, but for this method it would be better to avoid common cotton wool balls. Their tendency to wear out by attaching themselves to wet enamel does not allow the enamel to be eliminated effectively.
- To get the desired result, you may need to apply some pressure on the nail. While the application of a second layer of enamel is effective, it may require a little more effort than the normal process performed with acetone.
Step 4. Continue to apply a new coat of polish and then remove it immediately until the nails are completely clean
Before giving the desired effect, this method may require you to make several attempts. Keep applying and scrubbing; sometimes two or three coats of polish will be needed for each nail. Tougher nail polishes to remove, such as glitter ones, will require even more work.
This method can be a great starting point for removing the largest portion of color. The methods described in this section can help you complete the work
Method 3 of 3: Preventive Measures for Glitter Enamels
Step 1. Create a base with glue and water
If you are a lover of nail polishes that contain glitter, which are notoriously difficult to remove, start taking preventive measures to help you remove them with less difficulty. This method should be applied before using the glitter nail polish, to allow you to easily remove it when you feel the need. All you have to do is prepare a mixture of glue and water to spread on the nail before the polish.
Get ordinary white vinyl glue, an empty nail polish bottle, and water. Pour the glue into the bottle, about a third full, then add the water. Shake until the two ingredients are evenly mixed, the result must be fluid enough to be spread on the nail
Step 2. Apply the base to the clean nail, then let it dry
Spread a layer of sticky mixture on each nail. Before starting to apply the glitter polish as usual, wait at least 5 minutes for the base to dry completely. If you normally also use a transparent base, for example to prevent color stains on the nail, apply it only after having spread and let the base prepared with glue dry.
Step 3. Once the mixture prepared with water and glue (and possibly the transparent base) has been applied and allowed to dry, you can apply the glitter polish as usual
The glue will have hardened by adhering to the nail, then in turn the nail polish will harden by adhering to the glue. Fortunately, by applying light pressure, the glue will come off the nail easily, taking the polish layer with it as well.
Step 4. When you are ready to remove the glitter polish, soak your nails
Soak them in hot soapy water for a few minutes. Alternatively, you can lather them directly under a jet of running water. Once softened, the nail polish will be much easier to remove, preventing damage to your nails.
Step 5. Remove the nail polish as if it were a sticker
Use your fingers to "strip" one nail at a time. Alternatively, you can use a cuticle pusher, toothpick or other thin object with a blunt tip. If so, gently tuck it under the nail polish at the base of the nail until it is lifted. At this point you should be able to easily peel it off in a single small patina.
Advice
- Acetone and nail polish remover are certainly more effective than any of the alternative methods described here. The only reason to put them into practice is to be left without a specific product, having the need to remove the nail polish before leaving the house.
- Applying a quick-drying layer of nail polish over old nail polish may cause it to peel off the nail allowing you to peel it off into small pieces. However, this is not a guaranteed result; furthermore, forcing the detachment of the enamel from the nail could risk damaging it.
- You can also try to dilute the glue with a common "base coat" for the enamel. Remember that acetone and nail polish remover are by no means suitable for this purpose.
