9 Ideas for Removing Nail-Paint Without Using Remover

Sometimes the best manicure and pedicure can go the wrong way and before you know it, you’re dying to change your look. On one hand, you don’t want to chip your nails and on the other – you don’t have a nail polish remover around you.

So, is it possible to get the polish off without damaging your nails the natural way? The answer is – yes!

9 DIY Ways to Take off Nail Polish Without Remover

Here are 9 DIY ways to take nail polish off without using a remover. These are safe, easy to use, and don’t take a lot of time either.

1. Toothpaste Remedy

Toothpaste has ethyl acetate, a chemical compound that’s commonly used in commercial nail polish removers. This works like a charm and it is also a nail polish remover without acetone.

What You Will Need

• Toothpaste

How To Use It

• Get a toothbrush and apply a pea-sized dollop of toothpaste on it
• Gently scrub it over your fingers, let it sit for a few seconds, and rinse while scrubbing the polish away

2. Lemon Water

Lemon has alkalizing properties and goes easy on your nails. All it takes is a few scrubs and you’re done! It helps in removing nail polish naturally at home.

What You Will Need

• Lukewarm soapy water
• One slice of lemon

How To Use It

• Soak your nails in soap water for five minutes
• Take the lemon slice and scrub it over them gently
• Apply nail oil afterwards to keep your nails in good shape once you remove the polish

3. Alcohol

If you’re worried about nail infections and don’t have other alternatives lying around the house, try using some regular alcohol. It works and is much more effective than commercial nail polish removers

What You Will Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Lukewarm water
• Cotton balls

How To Use It

• Soak your nails in lukewarm water for a few minutes
• Take the cotton balls and dip them in the rubbing alcohol. Work over your nails by rubbing them gently to remove the nail polish
• Finish the wiping by applying some cuticle oil to your nails

4. Hand Sanitizer

This one is another natural home remedy that works extremely well. Here is how you use it.

What You Will Need

• Hand sanitizer
• Cotton balls

How To Use It

• Spray a bit of hand sanitizer over your nail polish, making sure not to spray too much
• Rub cotton balls on your nails after spraying and wipe away the nail polish
• Spray a little bit at a time and keep rubbing. Repeat until the polish comes off
• Rinse your nails thoroughly with water afterwards and dry

5. Hydrogen Peroxide

Almost every household has hydrogen peroxide lying somewhere in their kitchen cabinets. Here’s how you use it.

What You Will Need

• A small bowl
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Hot water
• Nail filer

How To Use It

• Take two parts of hydrogen peroxide and mix with one part water
• Soak your fingers in this and use a nail filer to remove the polish

6. Hair Spray

If Bustle says hair sprays work like a charm, then why shouldn’t we be using it? It’s not a crazy fad – just try it out and see for yourself.

What You Will Need

• Hair Spray
• Cotton balls

How To Use It

• Spray cotton balls using the nozzle of a hair spray to make sure it gets saturated
• Glide the cotton balls over your nail polish
• Do this as many times as you want until the polish comes off
• Rinse with water later and put some cuticle oil to keep your nails in good shape

7. Vinegar and Lemon Juice

If lemon water isn’t enough to get the job done, then you need something much stronger. Try the vinegar and lemon juice combo – that pesky polish will definitely get wiped away.

What You Will Need

• 4 tablespoons of vinegar
• One lemon (juiced)
• Cotton balls
• A small bowl

How To Use It

• Mix the lemon juice and vinegar in a small bowl
• Soak your nails in the solution and let your fingers stay soaked for about 3 to 5 minutes
• Use the cotton balls to gently wipe away the nail polish and rinse afterwards

8. Deodorant

If you want to learn how to remove nail polish without remover and need something with acetone, try using deodorant. It works.

What You Will Need

• Deodorant
• Cotton balls

How To Use It

• Bring your nails close to the nozzle of the deodorant
• Quickly spray a little and wipe the polish away immediately using cotton balls

9. Nail Polish

This one might sound crazy but trust us, it works. Why? Because the solvents present in different nail polish will help evaporate and soften the nail polish you’re currently wearing making it easy to remove. Make sense? Don’t take our word for it. Just see it yourself.

What You Will Need

• Any other nail polish besides the one you’re currently wearing
• A handful of paper towels

How To Use It

• Pick an old or another type of nail polish you have lying around the house. Make sure it’s not the quick drying variety
• Apply that over your existing nail polish
• Wipe away immediately using paper towels
• You might have to give this remedy a go a few times for it to work, to make sure it comes off completely

Things to Remember while Using Homemade Nail Paint Removing Methods

Here are a few things to remember when you’re using any home remedies to remove nail polish

• Some of these methods may not work since most commercial nail polish removers contain acetone, a key ingredient which is used for removing nail polish. These are simply alternatives and acetone is harsh on your skin which is why we recommended these.

• If you plan on using quick-drying nail polish to remove your existing one, make sure to wipe away quickly. Don’t let it sit or dry up because that way, you’ll have to put in   double the effort to remove both kinds of nail polish next time.

• Moisturizing your nails and applying cuticle oil afterwards is a must. This will help protect your nails, keep them healthy, and prevent them from drying up.

Remember to keep your nails in good shape and care for them the right away. We all make mistakes and it’s totally normal to wear the wrong type of nail polish sometimes. Just make sure you use these remedies with care and don’t depend on them. They’re just healthier alternatives and if they don’t seem to be working, just opt for a commercial nail polish remover. The investment would be worth it but we definitely recommend these for mild cases, for example, if you’ve just finished a manicure and changed your mind. Let us know how these home remedies work for you.

Also Read:

How to Shape Your Nails Perfectly?
How to Do a Pedicure at Home?
How to Give Yourself a Manicure at Home?