How to Remove Nail Polish Stains

Nail polish might give the extra colour you want, but it’s a nightmare to remove if it gets on your clothes. There’s no need for harsh chemicals with these tips from Tide on how to get rid of nail polish stains safely.

A person removing excess stain from a white shirt with a toothbrush
Step 1

Remove Excess

Scrape off any excess from the garment before rinsing under cold, running water. The higher the water pressure, the easier it will be to remove.

Step 1

Remove Excess

Scrape off any excess from the garment before rinsing under cold, running water. The higher the water pressure, the easier it will be to remove.

A person pretreating a denim jacket with Tide liquid laundry detergent and water
Step 2

Pre-treat

Using a bucket, a sink or a bowl, create a soaking solution by adding 28 grams or 1 ½ tablespoons of Tide Coldwater Clean Liquid per 4 litres of cold water. Allow the garment to soak for up to 5 minutes, weighting the item with a white towel to keep it totally submerged.

Step 2

Pre-treat

Using a bucket, a sink or a bowl, create a soaking solution by adding 28 grams or 1 ½ tablespoons of Tide Coldwater Clean Liquid per 4 litres of cold water. Allow the garment to soak for up to 5 minutes, weighting the item with a white towel to keep it totally submerged.

A person pouring Tide liquid detergent into the detergent dispenser
Step 3

Dose

You can use the cap to ensure you use the right amount of laundry detergent. Just fill it with the correct dose of Tide laundry detergent, and pour it into the laundry detergent dispenser if you have an HE washing machine, or directly into the drum before loading the clothes if you have a non-HE washing machine.

Step 3

Dose

You can use the cap to ensure you use the right amount of laundry detergent. Just fill it with the correct dose of Tide laundry detergent, and pour it into the laundry detergent dispenser if you have an HE washing machine, or directly into the drum before loading the clothes if you have a non-HE washing machine.

A person loading white clothes into the washing machine drum
Step 4

Load

Without rinsing off the detergent, place the garment into the washer with other items. Leaving the detergent on the stain will give your wash that extra boost of cleaning power.

Step 4

Load

Without rinsing off the detergent, place the garment into the washer with other items. Leaving the detergent on the stain will give your wash that extra boost of cleaning power.

Select the wash cycle and water temperature on your washing machine
Step 5

Wash

Wash on the usual cycle, on the hottest wash temperature indicated. Always check the instructions on the garment’s laundry symbols.

Step 5

Wash

Wash on the usual cycle, on the hottest wash temperature indicated. Always check the instructions on the garment’s laundry symbols.

Unload when the cycle is complete
Step 6

Unload

When the cycle is complete, unload the garments immediately.

If the stain persists after washing, repeat the previous steps before tossing in the dryer, as drying will set the stain.

Step 6

Unload

When the cycle is complete, unload the garments immediately.

If the stain persists after washing, repeat the previous steps before tossing in the dryer, as drying will set the stain.