Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using household products
• Homemade nail polish removers
• Using your nail polish remover
• Tips
• Warnings

Would you like to remove a layer of old nail polish from your nails, because you want to paint your nails with other nail polish or because you want bare nails for a while, and you don't have any nail polish remover at home? If you are a fan of glitter nail polish, you may know that it takes a very long time to get off your nails, even if you use pure acetone. Fortunately, in both cases, there are several methods of removing your nail polish using common household remedies. Most of these are effective, but you will need to apply two or three times to get good results. None of these work as well as commercial nail polish remover, but with a little patience, they will work for sure.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using household products

Homemade nail polish removers

1. Use alcohol and alcohol-based products to peel off the nail polish. The more alcohol the product contains, the better it will work. Of course, your first step should be to use isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, but there are other products that also contain alcohol (or ethylene glycol). If you see this with the ingredients on a package of a product you have at home, then that product may be effective to remove nail polish:
   • Perfume
   • Hairspray
   • Disinfectant for the hands
   • Deodorant in an aerosol can
   • Rubbing alcohol
     • Alcoholic drinks shouldn't be your first choice, but clear drinks that are high in alcohol, such as vodka, grappa, or gin, all work to remove nail polish. You may need to soak your nails in the drink for 10 to 20 minutes for best results.
2. Use white vinegar or a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice to remove the nail polish. Vinegar is an acidic and completely natural all-purpose cleaner to use at home. So it makes sense that you can use it to remove nail polish. To make the vinegar even stronger, squeeze half a lemon into the mixture or even a little orange juice. This way you can also use the powerful cleaning properties of citrus fruits.
   • Soak your fingers in the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes before attempting to remove the polish. During the soaking process, you can peel the polish off with your other nails to speed up the process.
3. Alternatively, use a strong solvent or paint stripper. However, this is not recommended. These are certainly not everyday remedies as these chemicals can be dangerous. Either way, these remedies work to remove nail polish, often just as quickly as if you were using nail polish remover. The following products would should be a last resort and should be installed in a well-ventilated area:
   • Acetone
   • Paint thinner
   • Liquid thinner

Using your nail polish remover

1. Leave the product on for a minute. Since you are not using regular nail polish remover, you will have to let the product soak in. Let the product sit on your nails for about a minute.
   • The longer you let the product sit, the better.
   • If you've already tried this or need a stronger remedy, soak your nails in the remedy for 4-5 minutes beforehand. Then continue with this step.
2. Choose another nail polish that does not dry too quickly. Nail polish dries up because the solvents it contains evaporate. Applying a second coat of nail polish effectively softens the same solvents. This way the nail polish becomes liquid again and you can wipe it off your nails. It is best to use thin nail polish for this method that dries slowly. A clear, protective nail polish also works, as it often dries more slowly. Do not use fast-drying nail polish or sprays or drops that will make your nail polish dry faster.
   • According to some blogs, it is best to apply nail polish with a darker color than the nail polish you are trying to remove. Either way, the most important factor is the nail polish drying time. The nail polish should dry slowly.
3. Make a base coat with glue and water. If you like to use glitter nail polish and therefore it is difficult for you to remove the polish, you can take some precautions to make it easier to remove. You have to use this method before you polish your nails, but can be an excellent way to avoid problems with removing your nail polish later on. You prepare a mixture of glue and water that you apply to your nails before painting them with glitter nail polish.
   • You will need white school glue, an empty nail polish bottle, and water for this method. Fill the nail polish bottle about a third with the glue. Then add water and swirl the bottle. Do this until the mixture in the bottle is thin enough that you can apply it to your nails.
4. Soak your nails when you want to remove your nail polish. Soak your nails in warm, soapy water for a few minutes. You can also run your nails under running water and then smear soap on them. This will soften the nail polish, making it a lot easier to remove without damaging your nails.
5. Peel off your old nail polish. You can peel the nail polish off with your fingers. However, you can also use a cuticle pusher, toothpick, or other thin, blunt object if the polish is difficult to come off. Gently push the object at the bottom of your nail under the polish until the old polish slides off your nail. You should be able to easily take it off in one go.

Tips

• You will always be able to remove the nail polish better with pure acetone or with nail polish remover than with the alternatives described above. It only makes sense to use alternative products if you are short on time or can't buy a new nail polish remover.
• Applying a layer of popular quick-drying protective nail polish over the dry nail polish can cause the polish to come off and allow you to peel it off in large chunks. Unfortunately, this doesn't always happen and peeling off the polish can damage your nails.
• Instead of water, you can also choose to use another regular base nail polish to dilute the base coat of glue. Never use acetone or nail polish thinner as a substitute.

Warnings

• Always test a remedy on a small area before trying it. Put a little bit of the cleanser on the inside of your arm and wait 10 minutes. If your skin doesn't get irritated, you can use it on your nails.