How to Remove Nail Polish Without Nail Polish Remover

You’re having a low-key day with no big plans, no one to impress and no reason to think twice about the fact that last week’s manicure has seen better days and that you’re out of nail polish remover. Then, an out-of-the-blue invite pops up and suddenly you’re scrambling to get rid of the remnants of red polish on your nails, which are falling decidedly short of femme fatale in their current state. Fear not: We’ve got the skinny on how to remove nail polish without nail polish remover, so you can get the job done quickly and get out the door. Here are four easy methods to try using items you probably already have at home.

If you don’t have any nail polish remover on hand, an alcohol-based product will work in a pinch, Brittney Boyce, founder of NAILSOFLA, tells us. The stronger the product the more effective it will be (i.e., less scrubbing involved) so if you have rubbing alcohol hanging around, that’s your best bet.

“It's very simple—apply some rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball or pad and place it on your nail. Let it sit for about 10 seconds and gently rub it back and forth. Your nail polish should come off fairly quickly,” she explains. Tip: A washcloth or rag will work too. (Or you can always raid your first aid kit for one of those little alcohol wipes. We won’t tell.)

Don’t have rubbing alcohol either? No problem—just reach for some hand sanitizer instead: Dispense a generous amount of hand sanitizer onto a cotton ball and gently scrub back and forth until the polish is gone. Just remember to moisturize after. “Because rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer can by dehydrating, use a cuticle oil to re-moisturize your nail, cuticles, and surrounding skin after removing the nail polish,” advises Boyce.

It might sound strange but that trusty tube of paste that polishes your pearly whites can polish—or should we say unpolish—your nails, too. Note: This hack only works with toothpaste that contains ethyl acetate, says Boyce, so check the ingredients list before you start.

Ready to go? Simply squeeze a blob of toothpaste out directly onto your nail and start rubbing back and forth with a Q-tip or old toothbrush. (The latter is more effective since it covers more surface area, but the former comes in handy for any stubborn stains in the crevices and on the cuticle.)

“Perfume can also work to remove nail polish as most perfumes have an alcohol base,” says Boyce. “But you might need to use a bit more as the percentage of alcohol is lower,” she adds. (In other words, this isn’t exactly the most economical option.)

To try this method, simply take a cotton ball and spray it generously (think, saturated but not dripping) with the perfume and, with a little gentle scrubbing, the polish should melt away. Magic!