How to Get Nail Glue Out of Clothes

Nail glue is essential for certain manicures, but you might freak out if you find it on your clothes.

Are they ruined for life, or is there a way to remove the nail glue?

While it’s a bit of a _nuisance _to remove nail glue from clothes, it’s certainly not impossible.

With a few simple steps and a whole lot of patience, you can remove nail glue from clothes in no time.

Keep reading to discover the seven essential steps for removing nail glue from clothing.

How to Get Nail Glue Out of Clothes: 7 Steps

Removing nail glue from your clothes? Surprisingly not as tricky as it might appear.

In seven simple steps, you can remove nail glue from your clothes and make them look spectacular.

Here’s how.

1. Wait for the Nail Glue to Dry

If you’re anything like me, you want to start scrubbing the second you find nail glue on your clothes.

But you’re actually doing yourself a huge disservice.

Trying to remove nail glue from your clothes while it’s still wet can cause it to spread, causing a bigger mess and hassle.

That said, the wet glue must dry entirely before attempting to remove it.

2. Scrub with a Toothbrush or Nail Brush

Once the nail glue has dried completely, it’s time to start scraping it off!

You should be able to remove big chunks by hand. Any leftovers should be scrubbed using some kind of stiff-bristled brush.

Be gentle when scrubbing your clothes, though. The goal is to remove the nail glue - not destroy your clothes entirely.

If the glue has found itself onto a delicate item of clothing, such as those made with satin or lace, you might consider skipping this step.

Scrubbing delicate fabric can cause irreversible damage.

3. Rub with Acetone/Nail Polish Remover

The next step is to use your handy-dandy acetone to remove the glue (yes, the same one you use to remove nail polish from your fingers.)

You might consider starting with a “test patch” to ensure your clothing won’t react negatively to the nail polish remover.

To do this, simply place the acetone on the underside of your clothing in an inconspicuous spot.

Wait about 20 minutes to ensure it doesn’t ruin the fabric.

If you’re in the clear, use a few drops of acetone on a cotton swab or cotton ball.

Gently apply the acetone to the glue stain and rub back and forth.

Acetone will remove a single layer of glue at a time. So, you may need to re-apply acetone to the cotton ball or cotton swab multiple times.

Don’t have any acetone on hand? Some people have been successful with rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.

Apply the rubbing alcohol or vinegar in the same way as the acetone.

4. Rinse the Area

Leaving acetone on the fabric can cause damage or discoloration over time, so it’s important to rinse it off immediately when you’re done.

Simply run the clothing item under cold water until there are no more acetone remnants.

5. Apply Stain Remover

Once thoroughly rinsed off, you will want to apply the stain remover.

And yes, you can apply it to the area while it’s still wet. There is no need to wait for the garment to dry.

When choosing a stain remover, ensure it does not contain bleaching or whitening agents. This can ruin your clothing.

You can apply stain remover using a cotton ball, pour a little over the inflicted area, or use a squirt bottle to generously spritz the area.

6. Wash the Clothes

Now it’s time to wash your clothes in the washing machine.

You can use whatever kind of laundry detergent you want, as long as it doesn’t contain bleach or whitening agents.

Wash the garment as usual in warm water.

7. Let Them Dry

Last but not least, let your clothes air dry. It’s important to avoid using the dryer, as this can cause the nail glue to further imbed into the garment, making it almost impossible to remove.

After air-drying for approximately 12 hours, check the clothes.

If there are still signs of nail glue, you will need to repeat the steps above.

(Since you will be working with dried glue at this point, you can start at step number three.)

Remove Nail Glue Using the Soap and Water Method

If you’re concerned about using acetone or simply don’t have any on hand, you can always use soap and water instead.

All you need to do is:

1. Fill your sink with cold water and dish soap (or good laundry detergent) and swirl it around.
2. Place the clothing inside the sink and soak for about 20 minutes.
3. Remove the garment and use a stiff-bristled toothbrush to rub off the stained area gently. (Be extra careful with delicate fabrics).
4. Wash in the washing machine using warm water.
5. Let it air dry and check the affected area. Repeat as necessary.

FAQ

Will acetone damage clothes?

Acetone can be highly damaging to clothes, causing them to become bleached and/or discolored. However, it’s the best way to remove nail glue.

To avoid damage to your clothes, you will want to rinse off the acetone as soon as possible.

Use the acetone to remove the glue as listed above and rinse immediately afterward. You run the risk of damage the longer the acetone sits on the affected area.

Does nail glue come out of clothes?

You can get nail glue out of clothing relatively quickly. As long as you wait for the glue to dry before trying to remove it, you won’t have an issue.

Does nail glue ruin clothes?

Nail glue will ruin clothes over time, so it is vital to get nail glue off in a timely fashion.

However, make sure you’re only working with dry glue.

If the glue is still wet, you will cause a bigger problem that is more challenging to remove.