How to get nail polish out of comforter
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How to get nail polish out of comforter
Many of us apply our nail polish while relaxing in comfortable places, such as on the bed or couch. However, accidents happen, and we all may need to remove nail polish format a comforter. Nail polish contains ingredients to help it adhere to your nails until removed. These ingredients, as well as the dye that gives polish its color, can cause stains on your clothing. House paint usually washes off, but nail polish is tougher. With most stains, the best results are achieved if the spill is treated right away. Attempting to do it the wrong way only makes a bigger mess for you to clean up. Read to learn about all our tips to get rid of that nail polish on your comforter.
Wet Polish
If you just had this accident, get to the stain right away. Wipe up as much of the polish you can without rubbing it into the fabric. Instead, remove any excess polish with a spoon. Wiping excess polish or attempting to soak it up will simply smear the polish and leave you with a dripping paper towel and a more significant mess. Then, use the tips mentioned below.
Dry Polish
Sometimes you might find dry fingernail polish on comforters. When this happens, it probably will take a stronger remover to get it out. First, gently scrape any dried polish from the comforter with the blunt end of a knife, the edge of a credit card, your fingernail, or a plastic scraper taking care not to tear or damage the fabric. Then, try one of the tips listed below.
Ways to Get Nail Polish Out of the Comforter
Before you begin
Before you do anything about that nail polish stain, find and read the fabric content label of your comforter. If it has a fiber content of acetate, triacetate, or modacrylic, do not try to remove the stain at home. Take your comfort to a professional dry cleaner. No home cleaning method for polish removal is safe for these fabrics. Fingernail polish remover (acetone) will dissolve these fabrics and create a hole that cannot be repaired. Before applying any product on your comforter, try it in a hidden area to see if it get stained. If not, follow the instructions and tips mentioned below.
Tip #1: Use polish remover
Use this method whether the nail polish is wet or dry. This method works effectively on cotton, linen, silk, denim, and most other fabrics.
- Place the stained comforter facedown on a few paper towels on a flat work surface. The part of the fabric that is stained should be against the paper towels.
- Blot the stained area with acetone. Use a cotton ball or paper towel saturated with polish remover to blot the backside of the fabric. Be careful if the fabric contains acetate or triacetate since the nail polish remover melts fabrics containing these chemicals and polyester. This action transfers the stain to the paper towel, so change to clean paper towels and continue to blot the backside of the stain. Do not pour the acetone onto the stained fabric since it’s harder to control where it flows if you don’t use an applicator like a cotton swab or the corner of a paper towel.
- Rinse and repeat. Take the item to the sink and rinse out the stained area, then place it face down on a clean set of paper towels. Repeat the blotting action to finish transferring the stain to the paper towels. Continue rinsing the fabric and applying more nail polish remover until the paper towels no longer turn the color of the nail polish after blotting; this indicates the stain has been removed.
- Check the area one final time for traces of nail polish. If you see a little color left, dip a cotton ball in nail polish remover and gently remove it.
- Launder the item. Use a stain remover product on the previously stained area and then launder the comforter according to the washing instructions on the tag. The stain should be gone entirely, and the item ready use.
- Check to make sure the entire stain is gone before placing your clothing in the dryer.
Tip # 2: Use bug spray
Some say that bug spray, the spray on your body and clothes to keep mosquitoes and other bugs away works like a charm to remove polish stains.
- Apply a small amount the bug spray on and scrub with an old toothbrush in a circular motion to gently scrub away the stain.
- Rinse and wash. Rinse the previously stained area well to get rid of the traces of the substance you used to remove the nail polish.
Tip #3: Use some ice
- As a first step, try holding an ice pack on the patch of polish. The cold should make the lacquer harden to the point of brittleness and contract a little, so it’s easier to break up and scrape off.
- You can also try picking the bits off with a pair of tweezers or brushing them gently off with an old toothbrush (if it’s in tiny flecks).
- After you’ve gotten off as much as you think is possible, use a nail polish remover or rag-dabbing technique up top.”
Tip #4: Use Hydrogen peroxide
Use hydrogen peroxide. Some fabrics that don’t react well with nail polish remover may perform better if you use the same strategy with hydrogen peroxide. Dab the area with peroxide, blot it with a clean towel, and repeat until the stain is gone. Hydrogen peroxide can act as a bleaching agent, so test it on an unnoticeable area of the upholstery before using it on the stained area.
Tip #5: Try hair spray
Spray it on the bristles of an old toothbrush and then use a circular motion to remove the stain from the fabric.
Tip #6: Use a glass cleaning agent
- If the piece (such as sheets) can be removed from the bed, do that first.
- Lay them on a surface that won’t be damaged by any cleaning products that may soak through.
- Thoroughly soak the stain with Windex (or a similar glass cleaning agent that contains ammonia).
- Wait a few minutes for it to soak into the stain, then scrub the mess with the toothbrush.
- Blot the area with paper towels. Repeat as necessary until the stain is removed.
Tip #7: Remove Nail Polish From “Dry-Clean-Only”
If the garment or fabric is labeled as dry clean only, the safest bet is to get it to a professional cleaner and point out and identify the stain as soon as possible. If you wish to try it at home, you will need a dry-cleaning solvent or rubbing alcohol.
- Test the Fabric: Find a hidden seam on the garment, and dab dry-cleaning solvent or rubbing alcohol on it to make sure it doesn’t change the color of the fabric.
- Remove Excess Nail Polish: Use an old credit card or dull knife to carefully remove as much of the excess nail polish as possible.
- Dab Stain With Solvent: Dab the stain with dry-cleaning solvent applied to a cotton swab or clean white paper towel. Use a fresh swap and additional solvent as the color transfers to the swab. When finished, allow the solvent to fully evaporate.
Tip #8: Don’t try it yourself
If it is a comforter very delicate or you don’t want to take the risk, just take it to a reputable dry-cleaner without trying to clean it yourself. It will cost a little more than a home fix-it, but a lot less than buying a new comforter. A commercial stain remover probably would lift the stain.
Some details to care
- Lay the stained clothing on a clean, flat surface before working.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands.
- Ventilate the area and wear a face mask.
- Specific nail-polish removers are acetone-free, so check the label. Pure acetone will be more effective.
- Use white paper towels because any design or coloring on the paper towel could transfer to your clothing.
- If, after removing from the washing machine, the stain still remains, don’t place the clothing in the dryer. The heat will set the stain. Repeat the stain-removal process with your chosen cleaning method.
- As nail polish sits and dries on the fabric, it will set and become more difficult to remove. For the best removal success, treat the stain as soon as possible.
- Delicate and dry clean only fabrics should be treated by a professional.
- For unique fabrics, including rayon or acetate/based fabrics, consider having the quilt professionally cleaned.
- If you can’t seem to get rid of the final bit of discoloration or residue, try applying gel shaving cream to the remaining stain. Scrub with a soft brush, then rinse, blot, or wipe clean with a moist towel. The stain should be gone.
- If you do have some color staining from the polish after you’ve used the remover, you can cover it with either embroidery or a patch of fabric applied as an applique.
[/su_list] I hope one of all these tips help you with this great job. Try them, and get your favorite comforter back as new. Good luck!