I Tested What Can Be Used as Nail Polish Remover—Plus 7 Surprising Hacks

Ink Stains • Scuff Marks • Keyboard Cleaner • Removing Super Glue • Price Tag Residue • More ...

I Tested What Can Be Used as Nail Polish Remover—Plus 7 Surprising Hacks
By Jordin • Apr 27, 2013 MD

Have you ever wondered if there are any other ways to use nail polish remover than its intended purpose? While many people search for what can be used as nail polish remover in a pinch, it’s actually a versatile household hero in its own right! Nail polish remover is quite handy for taking care of several everyday household issues you may run into. Please keep reading to learn some interesting ways to use nail polish remover that you probably haven't tried yet!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Want more like this? Subscribe for personalized picks.

Successfully subscribed.

Check your inbox for personalized content.

1. Ink Stains

One of the ways to use nail polish remover that might not occur to most people is for removing ink stains! If your child gets a hold of a pen and scribbles on the wall, or your ink pen leaks inside your favorite purse, no worries! Just dab some nail polish remover onto a rag and scrub it all off. This is also a great trick if you need to remove ink stains from nails or skin after a craft project. For more cleaning tips, check out our guide on how to tackle tough laundry stains.

  • Permanent Markers: Works on non-porous surfaces like plastic and whiteboards.
  • Ballpoint Pen: Great for skin or certain hard surfaces.
  • Stamp Pad Ink: Quickly removes residue from hands after crafting.

2. Scuff Marks

Dreaded scuff marks can easily occur on linoleum, tile, or even baseboards. But nail polish remover can come to the rescue! My dog has a rubber toy he loves to play with that leaves black marks on my white floors and walls. I always use nail polish remover to get them off, and it works like a charm! If you're wondering how to get nail polish off a wall, this same method can often work on non-porous surfaces, but always test a small spot first.

| Use | Surface | Method | | --- | --- | --- | | Ink Stains | Walls, Purses | Dab with rag | | Scuff Marks | Linoleum, Tile | Scrub with rag | | Keyboard | Plastic Keys | Use cotton swab | | Price Tag | Glass, Metal | Old toothbrush |

3. Keyboard Cleaner

Do you have a white keyboard? Then you know how easy it is for the keys to get sticky and grimy looking. All you need to do to clean it up is to dip a cotton swab into nail polish remover and gently wipe the keys! Use a dry rag to follow up, and be careful that you don’t let excess liquids drip into the keys. It's a simple part of any effective home organization routine. For official cleaning guidelines, you can also check out tech advice from HP.

4. Removing Super Glue

Super glue works well for many fast fixes, but I hate using it because it leaves residue all over my fingers! One way to get your paws clean is by using polish remover to scrub off the dried glue residue. If the glue is stuck really tight to your fingers, try soaking your fingers in the polish remover for a few minutes first. It's similar to how you would treat tough ink stains. You can find more professional advice on the official Loctite website.

Sunshine and blue skies bring positivity and joy and it's important for every woman to take full advantage of it. Even when stuck indoors, it's still possible to enjoy some good vibes. Check out these unique tips on how to make the most of the weather right at your home. Let's celebrate every beautiful day, no matter where we are.

5. Price Tag Residue

One of the most annoying things ever is buying something new, getting it home, and finding that the price tag has left horrid residue on your new item! You can remedy this problem by taking an old toothbrush and dipping it in polish remover. A little scrubbing and your problem will be easily solved! It's one of those genius life hacks that everyone should know. This works just as well as the scuff mark method for restoring surfaces.

Quick Tips for Safe Use

  • Ventilation: Always use in a well-ventilated room to avoid inhaling fumes.
  • Spot Test: Test on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it won't damage the surface.
  • Flammability: Keep away from open flames as nail polish remover is highly flammable.
  • Moisturize: If you get it on your skin, be sure to wash and moisturize afterward to prevent drying.
  • Storage: Keep the bottle tightly capped and out of reach of children.

6. Bath Tub Ring

Cleaning the bathtub is not my favorite chore, especially when there is a bad bathtub ring. I’ve found nail polish remover to be a powerful bathtub ring cleaner, helping remove the tough stains that residue leaves behind! Don’t dilute with water to get faster results, and follow up with your favorite bathroom cleaner. That way your bathtub won’t reek of nail polish remover the next time you take a shower! For more deep cleaning advice, visit Better Homes & Gardens.

7. Refresh Your Old China

If you have some old white china that you love, but it is looking a little worse for the wear, try this trick! Soak a rag in nail polish remover, and then lightly wipe the china down. Wash and dry like normal, and enjoy your like-new sparkling white china!

If you can tolerate the scent of nail polish remover, these ideas will come in handy! I love not having to buy a different product for each of these issues when they arise. Just be cautious and always test a small area of any item you plan to use the remover on to make sure it doesn’t make a bigger mess of things. What uses do you know of for nail polish remover?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Want more like this? Subscribe for personalized picks.

Successfully subscribed.

Check your inbox for personalized content.

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

  • Joanna

    2013-04-28T06:09:10.000Z

    Agree with Susan! Thanks for the article. I have a white blouse I bought 2 months ago that I love and my son scribbled on it with a pen, I put it away saying that one day I would find a "cure" for it lol I hope it works!! Will try it in the morning:)
  • NinjaBudgie

    2013-04-28T09:01:22.000Z

    It's also great for cleaning artist's and model painting fine brushes
  • Princess

    2013-04-28T12:39:18.000Z

    nice thanks
  • Barbara

    2013-04-28T07:07:29.000Z

    Great article !
  • Moraine

    2013-04-28T16:19:14.000Z

    I wish I'd seen #5 before taking the time to pick the residue off of my shirt!
Commenting as
Add allwomenstalk.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Allwomenstalk app icon

Don't Miss the Latest Version

Get the latest stories, save favorites, and share with friends — all in one place.

New Earn badges & level up while you read

Create your profile. Earn badges. Level up your reading.

Join Allwomenstalk to track your streaks, collect badges, and earn XP for the things you already do—reading, sharing, and taking quizzes.

  • 🔥
    Daily streaks with gentle boosts for 3, 7, and 30 days.
  • 🏅
    Collect badges like Reader I–III, Socialite, and Quiz Ace.
  • ⚡️
    Earn XP for reads, deep reads, likes, comments, and shares.

It’s free. Takes 30 seconds. Already have an account? Sign in.

10,000+ badges earned last month

Level

3

Streak

7 🔥

XP420 / 700

Badges

🔥 On a Roll
📖 Reader I
📣 Socialite

Trending products

Other Cool Reads

Related Topics

what food makes nails grow brittle fingernails fingernails half white half pink nail colors for my skin tone how to hold yourself up with your hands finger nail nubs what are my fingernails made of acrylic nail maintenance how to get nail polish to dry quick how make nail polish last longer
Featured article image