If you accidentally spill some nail polish on a leather surface, the best thing to do is to hire a professional to remove the stain. Some surfaces covered in leather cannot resist the products and "do it yourself" remedies essential to remove enamel stains; furthermore, you risk drying the material or even lightening it. However, you can still undo this damage; if you have decided to clean the leather surface yourself, you can try some home remedies.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treat the Stain Immediately
Step 1. Scrape the polish
If you have just spilled the nail polish on your skin, you need to try to treat it immediately by scratching it off with a small putty knife or blunt knife. This method is most effective if the polish is still wet, as it is easier to remove from the leather.
- During this process, regularly clean the spatula or knife and continue scraping until you can remove as much color as possible.
- Be careful not to cut the skin when using the knife. For this it is important to use a knife with a blunt blade or, better still, a spatula, so you do not risk piercing the material. Use the tools by making a slight upward motion.
Step 2. Blot the nail polish with a cotton swab
This is another technique for removing nail polish while it is still wet. Blot the swab gently until it eliminates all or most of the product. By doing this you avoid spreading the stain further.
If the affected area is particularly large, use dampened kitchen paper or a rag to soak up the color, but be careful not to spread the polish even more or get water on the leather as this could spread the stain
Step 3. Peel off the dry nail polish
If you only noticed the stain when it became dry, try removing it with your finger. Use a fingernail and try to tuck it under the edge of the nail polish to peel off the dry stain.
- If the polish has fallen on the sofa or car seat, press the surface of the leather on one side of the stain so that the opposite side is lifted; so it becomes easier to insert the nail underneath. If it's a leather dress, fold the material near the edge of the stain.
- Scratch off the nail polish slowly and check the leather carefully to make sure you don't damage it.
Part 2 of 3: Using Stain Removers
Step 1. Test the fabric
Before using any product, you need to test it to make sure it doesn't damage your skin. Some products, such as acetone, can discolor the skin, so you need to be especially cautious when using them.
Before attempting to remove any stain, test the product in a hidden area of the fabric and wait 24 hours to see if the material has deteriorated. If you don't notice any damage, you can proceed with the treatment
Step 2. Remove the stain with alcohol
This product causes less damage than acetone, but it can dry out the skin, so you need to use it carefully. After doing a test on a hidden corner, moisten a cotton swab with alcohol and gently dab the nail polish. Since cotton absorbs the color, change the swab often and pick up new ones until all the stain has been removed.
Be careful not to soak the stain too much with alcohol, as this could cause more damage. The cotton swab should be properly soaked, but not to the point that it drips onto other areas of the leather
Step 3. Apply an acetone-free stain remover
If alcohol does not bring the desired results, you need to intervene with a more aggressive product. An acetone-free solvent shouldn't discolour the skin, but it's always best to test it first, as it may dry out the fabric. Once you are sure that it does not cause damage, wet a cotton swab with the stain remover and gently dab it on the color, making sure you do not accidentally touch other clean areas of the surface.
- It may take several tries to completely fix the problem, so let the skin dry between treatments. then proceed until you have completely removed the stain, using a new stick each time. The advantage of this acetone-free product is that it is not supposed to bleed the skin, but it may not be powerful enough to completely remove the stain.
- If this doesn't work, try an acetone-based stain remover. This is by far the most aggressive product and it is quite likely that it can ruin the skin; however, it shouldn't be a problem to repair the damage.
Step 4. Make a mixture of white vinegar and olive oil
Combine one part of white vinegar with two of olive oil and gently scrub the stain using a toothbrush or laundry brush. This should loosen the nail polish a little and it should start to flake off. At this point, remove the cleaning mixture with paper towels and let it dry.
This is the safest solution for removing nail polish, as it acts as a conditioner for the skin, it does not dry it and it does not stain it. However, it is also probably the least effective at removing enamel
Part 3 of 3: Repair and Treat the Skin
Step 1. Wash off residue from stain removal products
After the treatment, the skin is likely to have suffered some damage, but it is easy to remedy. Start by washing the affected area with water and a moisturizing bar of soap without surfactants. This way you can eliminate any residual traces of cleaning products.
- Once the leather is washed, pat it dry and let the air do the job. Then you can proceed with a restorative treatment.
- If you used an acetone-free product, your skin shouldn't have been severely damaged, but it may be dry; therefore it is important to apply a conditioner to prevent it from cracking, especially on furniture.
Step 2. Apply conditioner
You can buy it or make your own by mixing one part white vinegar with two parts flaxseed oil or lemon essential oil. Apply it to the material in circular motions and let it dry. It may dry in about an hour, depending on the size of the stain. The conditioner should be enough to give the skin its radiant appearance and remove any hue of color, but if that is not enough, proceed to the next step.
Step 3. Apply shoe polish
If the leather has been damaged by the stain remover, you can restore the color by using shoe polish. Find a leather-like shade and apply some to the stained area. Then let it dry and polish the area like you would shoes. Make sure you scrub just enough to keep it from coming off.
Step 4. Dye the leather
If you have removed the enamel stain but the leather is damaged, you can paint it to restore its original color, if it is a piece of furniture. You need to find a leather-like product in your possession, so it's worth calling the furniture store. You can also purchase a leather dye kit, but be wary as you need to make sure the dye is the same color as your furniture.
Step 5. Contact a professional
This is probably the safest solution, as a professional has more expertise in treating stains and will be able to remove yours as well without causing irreparable damage. If all your efforts have been in vain, call the furniture store or an upholsterer to do the job for you.
