Nothing lasts forever; this surely includes your carefully manicured nails. Its short timing starts when it starts chipping, and you want to avoid being cut a chipped nail. Then you reach for your nail remover; you’ve run out of nail removers. Perhaps you left home on vacation without it and badly need to clean off your nail polish. In this situation, you’d need a nail polish remover substitute.
It could be you do not like the smell of nail polish removers, and you wish to have some nail polish remover alternatives. Moreover, nail polish removers is said to thin out the nail plate and make your nails dry. It can also irritate the cuticles, making them red and dry. To avoid the irritations, with little research here and there, we came by many substitutes for nail polish remover.
Other things can play the role of a nail polish remover. A substitute for nail polish is in your first aid box, another is in your kitchen cabinets, some are lying on your wash hand basin in the toilet, and some are in your toilet cabinets.
Stay close to this article, and you will learn other things that work in place of that nail polish remover.
10 Effective Ways to Remove Nail Polish Without Nail Polish Remover
How does it sound that your toothpaste can remove that chipping nail polish, and you don’t have to go to the salon to remove it? Or can you use your old deodorant to clean off the nail polish? Did your manicurist paint your nails a nail color that you do not seem to like, and do you not want her to feel bad?
With this article, it will come as a surprise that some of the things you’ve left to accumulate dust on your kitchen cabinets are useful. And you will be cutting off some expenses after going through this article and saving more. Below are some alternatives to remove nail polish without nail polish remover:
1. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an everyday household need. Some people use hydrogen peroxide to clean their teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is also used to clean wounds or cuts. It’s useful when scrubbing your kitchen sink or cleaning glasses and mirrors. It can also be used to sterilize your makeup brushes. It does a few numbers of things, and yeah, that includes serving as a nail polish remover alternative.
Materials needed
- A bowl
- Hot water
- A nail file
- And your bottle of hydrogen peroxide
Step 1: Make a solution of 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide with 1/4 cup hot water. The water shouldn’t be blazing hot, as you won’t want to scald your skin.
Step 2: Then soak your nails in the solution, and use your fingers to rub off the nail polish gently. Rub off the nail polish while your nails are still in the solution. If you have any leftover nail polish, you can use the nail file to file that off.
2. Vinegar and Lemon Juice
Vinegar is a staple in the home. Its uses range from cleaning your home to serving a nutritional value. Vinegar can be added to different recipes, such as salad dressings. It is also part of a weight loss plan for many. Vinegar is also used as a cleaning agent for surfaces.
It also helps reduce the chances of cancer. Vinegar can treat dandruff; some use it as a toner for their face. As it is a cleaning agent, it can substitute a nail polish remover when you run out of nail polish remover.
Materials needed
- A lemon, which the juice will be squeezed out
- 3-4 tablespoons of vinegar
- Cotton ball
- A bowl
- Step 1: Mix the vinegar and the juice you squeeze out of the lemon in the bowl.
- Step 2: Leave to soak for about 15mins.
- Step 3: Dip the cotton ball in the solution, and use that you clean off the nail polish. It is advised to wash your hands afterward and moisturize.
3. Hair Spray
You never thought your lovely hair spray could be used for anything other than what you originally used it for? Well, that hair spray can be used to clean off nail polish. This is because the alcohol in hairspray can dissolve the pigments in the nail polish, making it easier to remove.
Materials needed
- Your hair spray
- Cotton balls
Step 1: Start by shaking the hairspray can well.
Step 2: Spray the hairspray directly onto the nails that have the polish you want to remove.
Step 3: After a few seconds, use a cotton ball or cotton pad to wipe the nails gently. The nail polish should come off easily.
Step 4: Repeat this process if needed.
Step 5: Once all the polish is removed, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any remaining hairspray.
4. Lemon
Lemon is an ingredient that is very familiar in the cosmetic industry. Lemon can lighten the skin. And it has many uses. Some use a slice of lemon to clean surfaces. Some people squeeze lemon juice in different corners of their homes to eliminate odors. Some squeeze in lemon juice on dishes to add flavor to the dishes. Using lemon as a nail polish remover substitute also lists the uses of lemon.
Step 1: Soak your polished nails in warm soapy water for about 5mins.
Step 2: Then slice the lemon. Pick up a slice and gently rub it on your nails. The nail polish will come off without stress, as the lemon would have made it soft.
Step 3: You can finish by washing your hands and moisturizing your nails and skin.
When using lemon as a nail polish remover alternative, you must remember that even though lemon will certainly do the job of the nail polish remover. You also need to remember that lemon lightens the skin, so be careful when using it as a nail polish remover substitute. This is because you won’t want different skin shades on your fingers.
5. Hand Sanitizer
Another alternative method to remove nail polish without using traditional nail polish remover is by using hand sanitizer. The high alcohol content in hand sanitizer can help dissolve the pigments in the nail polish, making it easier to remove.
Materials needed are hand sanitizer and a cotton ball.
Step 1: Squeeze a small hand sanitizer onto a cotton ball or pad.
Step 2: Gently rub the cotton ball or pad onto the nails that have the polish you want to remove.
Step 3: Keep rubbing the cotton ball or pad over the nails for about 20-30 seconds.
Step 4: Once the polish is removed, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any remaining hand sanitizer.
6. Using a Clear Nail Polish
This might sound funny. Using nail polish to remove another nail polish works, so why not. For this method, it’s better to use clear nail polish as the remover or a nail polish you do not mind wasting.
You’ll need clear nail polish and a paper towel (do not use a cotton ball).
Step 1: Apply the nail polish you want as the remover on the old nail polish.
Step 2: While it is still wet, pick up the paper towel and start cleaning the nail polish off the nail. Do not let the polish dry before you attempt to peel off the nail polish. It is also advised not to use a cotton ball for this method.
This is because, when you use a cotton ball for this method, the cotton ball fiber will keep sticking to the nail polish, eventually making it messy. And you don’t want that.
7. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is another household staple due to its many uses. It is mostly used for cosmetic purposes. And it can also be used as a nail polish remover. That’s why it’s in this article, right? Using rubbing alcohol as a nail polish remover substitute is good for those who have nail infections because rubbing alcohol contains antibacterial properties.
Materials needed
- Bowl of warm water
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton ball
Step 1: Start by soaking your nails in warm water.
Step 2: Put some alcohol on the cotton ball, and rub it on your nails. You can still use rubbing alcohol for this purpose without first soaking your nails in a bowl of warm water. The difference is that one will be faster than the other.
Step 3: When you soak your nails in warm water and rub the cotton ball soaked in alcohol on your nail, the polish will come off quicker. Unlike when you do not soak it in a bowl of warm water.
8. Toothpaste as a Nail Polish Remover Substitute
There is no home without a tube of toothpaste in one of the bathrooms. Toothpaste has been known that aside from its primary use for cleaning the teeth, it can also be used to clean the dirty surface of your pressing iron.
Materials needed
- A tube of toothpaste
- A paper towel
- Old toothbrush
Step 1: Dab a little toothpaste on your nails using the old toothbrush.
Step 2: Then wipe off with a paper towel. The nail polish might not come off on the first try, so you must repeat the process.
Step 3: Wash your hands and moisturize the nails and skin.
The reason why toothpaste can also work as a nail polish remover is that it contains ethyl acetate. Which is also part of the composition of a nail polish remover.
9. Deodorant as a Nail Polish Remover Alternatives
Do you have some old deodorant that you got from a store but do not seem to like the fragrance? Not to worry, you can put this deodorant to some good use by turning it into a substitute for nail polish remover. You might be wondering why deodorant can work as a nail polish remover alternative. This is because of a deodorant containing alcohol. And alcohol is an essential content of nail polish removers.
Materials needed are Deodorant and Cotton balls.
Method 1
Step 1: Spray the deodorant on a cotton ball. Ensure the cotton ball is placed very close to the nozzle on the bottle. And make the cotton ball wet with the deodorant.
Step 2: Move on to using the wet cotton ball to clean off the nail polish.
Method 2
Another method to get this done is spraying the deodorant directly on your nails. And cleaning off with the cotton ball. Whichever method you use, ensure you wash your hands when you are done and moisturize your nails and hands.
10. Perfume
Another alternative method to remove nail polish without using traditional nail polish remover is by using perfume. Some perfumes contain ethanol, a type of alcohol that can help dissolve the pigments in the nail polish, making it easier to remove.
Materials needed
- Cotton balls or paper towels
- Perfume
Step 1: Spray a small amount of perfume onto a cotton ball or pad.
Step 2: Gently rub the cotton ball or pad onto the nails that have the polish you want to remove.
Step 3: Keep rubbing the cotton ball or pad over the nails for about 20-30 seconds.
Step 4: Once the polish is removed, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any remaining perfume.
Can I use rubbing alcohol as a substitute for nail polish remover?
Yes, rubbing alcohol can be used as a substitute for nail polish remover, but it may not be as effective as traditional removers. It can be used to remove regular nail polish, but it may not be as effective as traditional removers for removing glitter polish, dark or long-wearing polishes.
Can I use vinegar or lemon juice as a substitute for nail polish remover?
Yes, vinegar or lemon juice can also be used as a substitute for nail polish remover, but they may also not be as effective as traditional removers. It can be used to remove regular nail polish, but it may not be as effective as traditional removers for removing glitter polish, dark or long-wearing polishes.
How do I use baking soda as a substitute for nail polish remover?
To use baking soda as a substitute for nail polish remover, you can make a paste by mixing baking soda and water. Here's a simple method: 1. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water in a small container. 2. Apply the paste to your nails using a cotton swab or your finger. 3. Gently rub the paste onto your nails for a few minutes to remove the polish. 4. Use a clean cotton swab or a soft brush to remove any remaining polish. 5. Rinse your nails with water and dry them off.
Can I use coconut oil as a substitute for nail polish remover?
Yes, coconut oil can be used as a substitute for nail polish remover. To use it, you can apply a small amount of coconut oil on your nails and gently rub to remove the polish. You can also soak a cotton pad or a cotton ball in coconut oil and place it on your nails for a few minutes to soften the polish before rubbing it off
Are there any natural alternatives to traditional nail polish removers?
There are several natural alternatives to traditional nail polish removers that you can use to remove your nail polish. One popular option is to mix equal parts of lemon juice and baking soda to make a paste and then apply it to your nails. Gently rub the paste onto your nails to remove the polish and then rinse your nails with water. Another option is to soak a cotton pad or cotton ball in white vinegar and place it on your nails for a few minutes to soften the polish before rubbing it off. Some people also use olive oil to remove their nail polish, simply by applying a small amount of oil on their nails and gently rubbing to remove the polish.
How effective are substitutes for nail polish remover in comparison to traditional removers?
Substitutes for nail polish remover, such as rubbing alcohol, vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, coconut oil, and natural alternatives like acetone-free removers, may not be as effective as traditional removers in removing certain types of nail polish, especially glitter or dark nail polishes. These natural alternatives may require more time, effort and several applications before achieving the desired result. They may also be harsher on the nails and skin than traditional removers, so it's important to moisturize your nails and skin after using them.
Can I use hair spray as a substitute for nail polish remover?
No, hair spray should not be used as a substitute for nail polish remover. Hair spray is designed to hold hair in place, while nail polish remover is specifically formulated to dissolve and remove nail polish. Using hair spray on your nails may dry out or damage your nails, and it may not be effective in removing the polish. Additionally, some hair sprays contain ingredients that can be harmful if ingested or inhaled, so it is not safe to use them on or around your nails.
Can I use hair spray as a substitute for nail polish remover?
No, hair spray should not be used as a substitute for nail polish remover. Hair spray is designed to hold hair in place, while nail polish remover is specifically formulated to dissolve and remove nail polish. Using hair spray on your nails may dry out or damage your nails, and it may not be effective in removing the polish.
Conclusion
It is also worth noting that these are substitutes for nail polish remover, so some might not be as effective as real nail polish remover. But they will surely do the job if done in the right process.