How to Get Nail Polish Off of Your Wall in 6 Ways

Removing nail polish from a wall might seem easy. But knowing how to get nail polish off of a wall without damaging the paint or wallpaper is not something everyone is familiar with. Wall paint is delicate.

Even a tiny scratch can rip off the paint of a particular area, leaving a big, ugly scar on the wall. Besides, repainting the whole wall because of a nail polish stain is time-consuming and not worth the effort.

That is why we will provide some methods and tactics for removing nail polish from the wall without damaging the paint or the wallpaper. And you'll need some particular ingredients paired with some skills to accomplish a damage-free result. Let's have a look at them.

How to Get Nail Polish Off of a Wall

The problem is that the nitrocellulose polymer in nail polish forms a film when the solvent evaporates out of it. The same stabilizers and plasticizers that keep the color bright and keep the polish from cracking on your nails are the ones that make it hard to remove from a wall.

We need to either break those chemicals down are scrape them off, all without damaging the wall. There are a couple of methods that you can try to remove nail polish from any types of walls while keeping the wall paint in good condition. Here are some ideas that you can apply.

Method 1: Use Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a common item that more or less every home has. As this product is flammable, make sure you have opened all the windows in your room to increase the airflow. Also, keep anything that could start a fire in the room away from it.

Things you will need: 

• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton swab
• Sponge
• Clean cloth
• Water
• Soap

So, let's start with the procedure. This is how to get nail polish off walls without removing paint.

• Take a cotton bud and dip it in rubbing alcohol.
• Now, place the bud on the nail polish and try to clean the stain carefully.

Note: Start with a small section and then move forward. And don't spread the stain.

• After removing the nail polish, wipe the wall with a soapy sponge so no residue is left.
• Use a paper towel to clean the wall in a circular motion and let it dry.

Rubbing alcohol itself is strong enough to remove nail polish. That's why do the whole procedure in a gentle motion and don't rub forcefully.

Method 2: Nail Polish Can Also Be Used

You can remove nail polish using nail polish. Yes! You have heard it right. This process is easy and doesn't require many products. Just follow the steps.

• Apply a certain amount of nail polish to the nail polish on the wall.
• Wait for one minute.
• Now, take a paper towel and wipe it carefully.
• Repeat this procedure until the nail polish is gone completely.
• Finally, take a damp sponge to wipe the residue.

Make sure the sponge is damp and soft. You don't need to apply a lot of pressure, and certainly not enough to scratch the wall paint or paint alternatives. Make sure the sponge is non-abrasive.

Method 3: Use Borax

Borax is known as sodium borate. This is a white powder that helps in removing stains. It can remove nail polish from the wall as well. But you need to make a borax solution first. To make the solution, you will need:

• Water: 1 liter
• Ammonia: 1 teaspoon
• Borax: 1 ounce

Let's make the solution and move forward with the cleaning.

• Start by putting one liter of warm water in a bowl.
• Now, add one ounce of borax and one teaspoon of ammonia to the bowl and mix them well.
• Take a sponge and dampen it in the mixture.
• Wipe the stained wall and stop until there is no nail polish left.
• Lastly, after removing the nail polish, wipe the wall with clean water and let it dry.

However, this method is not applicable if your wall has wallpaper on it. Borax can damage the wallpaper and most wallpaper alternatives, so it is safe not to use the borax mixture if that is the case.

Method 4: Razor Blade to Remove Dried Nail Polish

It might take a long time until you notice that someone knocked over nail polish on your wall, and the stain is all dry. In that case, a razor blade can save you from the mess.

The razor blade has sharp edges that can cause a wound if not used carefully. So, wear gloves for safety.

As the nail polish has already dried, apply an ice cube to the stained area to soften the surface a bit. Now, carefully slide the blade to scrape off the dried nail polish.

If you have shaky hands, then we don't recommend you attempt this. Be extra cautious and do the job with a steady hand.

Method 5: Use Magic Eraser

A magic eraser is an epic item that can remove nearly any spot on the wall. But if your wall is made of wood, then we recommend you not use this. Otherwise, this is how to get fingernail polish off walls very easily if it does work for you. I find sometimes it's a miracle and sometimes it's a dud.

However, you can use a magic eraser on wallpaper and wall paint to remove the nail polish. This abrasive material may be harsh for enamel paint or varnish. So, check on a small portion of your wall to see if it causes any harm to the wall paint.

If it doesn't create any scratches on the wall or leave any spots, use it on the nail polish stain and rub it with a gentle motion. When the nail polish is removed, wipe the surface with a wet sponge.

Method 6: Use WD40

Now, we are going to talk about another magic tool that you can use on wallpapers. The product is heavy-duty WD40. Follow the steps mentioned below.

• Prep your WD40 bottles by shaking them
• Now, carefully spray a little on the nail polish
• Let the product sit for a while
• Wipe off the nail polish with a sponge
• To clean the residue, use soapy water and let the wall dry

Not all wallpapers are the same. So, test WD40 on a small section of your wallpaper and observe if it damages the wallpaper or causes any discoloration, and then decide if your wallpaper is WD40 approved or not.

Can Water Remove Nail Polish Off of a Wall?

Have you noticed that the nail polish chips off when you do chores that include water? For example, after doing dishes with nail polish, you will see some missing nail paint on your nail.

So, to clean the nail polish off the wall, water can be a useful substance when you have nothing else around you. Simply wet a sponge or cloth in the water and try to clean the nail polish off of the wall.

At first, you might not see much of a difference, but after doing this repeatedly, the nail polish will come off without leaving any mark on the wall.

Can You Use Nail Polish Remover?

Nail polish remover can come in handy for removing nail polish from your nails. However, it is not suitable for use on walls.

The acetone in the nail polish remover will remove both the nail polish and the wall paint. So, if you want to preserve your wall paint or wallpaper intact, using nail polish remover is not a safe option.

Which is Hardest to Remove? Wet or Dry Nail Polish?

The more you wait to clean the nail polish, the harder it gets to remove. If you start cleaning the nail polish as soon as it spills on the wall, it will do less damage, and with minimal effort, you can remove it.

On the other hand, if the nail polish sits on the wall for a longer period and gets completely dry, then you will have to put in more effort to ensure a damage-free removal.

Yet there is a possibility that you might not be able to save the wall paint from damage. So, take the initiative as quickly as possible to reduce the risk.

That's How to Get Nail Polish Off of a Wall

We have tried to show you all the possible ways to answer the question of how to remove nail polish from a wall. Why would you turn to an expensive option when the solution is lying around you in the house?

These simple yet effective hacks will not only save you money, but they will also save you time. So, perhaps, our attempt to address the topic of how to get nail polish off of a wall has satisfied you. You can now clean without fear of damaging your wall.

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