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How to remove a nail polish from a black leather sofa without ruining it? Please be as detailed as possible ;)
Soft black leather sofra, pink nail polish on it. Grrr. The smudge is just a bit smaller than an inch. That black circle in the left bottom side of the picture is a Cup holder so you can use that for understanding the size of the smudge ;) 
voted interesting: chriswingate M$0.10
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I found this over from eHow that should help you out.
What you want to do first is to try to dab off, not rub, most of the nail polish with a paper towel. Doing this tests the leather if it can withstand cleaning with chemicals if it comes down to it. You should then try dabbing acetone on an unaffected area of the couch (acetone is non-oily fingernail polish remover). if the leather doesn't look funky or change color afterward then you're in good shape.
Start dabbing the acetone using a paper towel on the affected area(s). Keep doing this until no more nail polish comes up off the leather couch. You can try using rubbing alcohol if the acetone damages the leather. Test the alcohol first like you did with the acetone and if it works, use the same dabbing method as explained above.
If the acetone or rubbing alcohol do work, be sure to clean the area thoroughly with leather cleaner.
If these methods don't work then you need to contact a leather professional.
http://www.ehow.com/how_1000591_remove-polish-leather.html
I'm REALLY surprised we don't have a How-To page on this subject here yet!
What you want to do first is to try to dab off, not rub, most of the nail polish with a paper towel. Doing this tests the leather if it can withstand cleaning with chemicals if it comes down to it. You should then try dabbing acetone on an unaffected area of the couch (acetone is non-oily fingernail polish remover). if the leather doesn't look funky or change color afterward then you're in good shape.
Start dabbing the acetone using a paper towel on the affected area(s). Keep doing this until no more nail polish comes up off the leather couch. You can try using rubbing alcohol if the acetone damages the leather. Test the alcohol first like you did with the acetone and if it works, use the same dabbing method as explained above.
If the acetone or rubbing alcohol do work, be sure to clean the area thoroughly with leather cleaner.
If these methods don't work then you need to contact a leather professional.
http://www.ehow.com/how_1000591_remove-polish-leather.html
I'm REALLY surprised we don't have a How-To page on this subject here yet!
| Asker's rating: |
A lot of interesting answers here (Thanks all for helping out), however I also noticed a bunch of contradicting suggestions (here and on the web).
As it turns out:
- Alcohol did not remove any original black color, when put to the nail polish - it did not remove it either. It DID however hurt the leather a bit. It seems as if it tries to disintegrate it somehow.
- Next thing I had close by was a Nail Polish. As this answer suggests, acetone WAS the key ingredient (at least for my sofa). It did not ruin the leather, did not dilute the black original color, but it DID remove the stain :)
TNX
As it turns out:
- Alcohol did not remove any original black color, when put to the nail polish - it did not remove it either. It DID however hurt the leather a bit. It seems as if it tries to disintegrate it somehow.
- Next thing I had close by was a Nail Polish. As this answer suggests, acetone WAS the key ingredient (at least for my sofa). It did not ruin the leather, did not dilute the black original color, but it DID remove the stain :)
TNX
1) You will have to buy a "nail polish remover" without acetone (note: without acetone)
2) You need a leather cleaner/shiner
First clean the surface thoroughly. Remove the polish with the nail polish remover.
After the polish is gone, clean the surface and brighten with your leather cleaner.
That's it. This works if the nail polish is standard, not gel based.
2) You need a leather cleaner/shiner
First clean the surface thoroughly. Remove the polish with the nail polish remover.
After the polish is gone, clean the surface and brighten with your leather cleaner.
That's it. This works if the nail polish is standard, not gel based.
OK, you can use nail polish remover, a slightly diluted solution on a soft cloth with a dash of water. Rub very gently at the edges first. SEE what happens. If it looks like the leather is being discoloured rinse with a moist cloth to wipe away the remover.
Or, you can use white board cleaner. Same method as above , try it out with a diluted solution on a clean soft cloth. Rub gently.
Now, depending on the finish you get ( with this or any other answer ) make sure you condition the leather with something like Dubbin by Waproo after you've finished...do the whole thing, it will love the attention
gosh those instructions sounds vaguely suggestive :P
Or, you can use white board cleaner. Same method as above , try it out with a diluted solution on a clean soft cloth. Rub gently.
Now, depending on the finish you get ( with this or any other answer ) make sure you condition the leather with something like Dubbin by Waproo after you've finished...do the whole thing, it will love the attention
gosh those instructions sounds vaguely suggestive :P
The most important thing is be sure to test what ever you use on an inconspicuous part of the sofa first.
voted unhelpful: chriswingate
To be totally honest? If you do not want to risk damaging the sofa further try and get hold of a LEATHER TECHNICIAN... Someone who is qualified in such matters.
The best place for you to buy the right products and seek advice is from FURNITURE CLINIC
http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Problem_Solver.htm
See the chart on this page recommending what you need to get to remove nail varnish stains from Leather..A product called ULTRA CLEAN.
http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Cleaning.htm
The best place for you to buy the right products and seek advice is from FURNITURE CLINIC
http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Problem_Solver.htm
See the chart on this page recommending what you need to get to remove nail varnish stains from Leather..A product called ULTRA CLEAN.
http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Cleaning.htm
FIRST OF ALL, do not scratch hard because it will damage the sofa. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer or a professional cleaning service! It will be so much worth it than ruining your nice black leather sofa. :) Well, if it is that nice, proffesional is always better in my opinion.
AVOID using nail polish remove on your sofa! especially that this is LEATHER and it is color BLACK. Acetone is a very strong solvent.
We once used ordinary nail polish remover and it became discoloured, and I wouldn't recommend nail polish remover even if it is acetone free because I really haven't tried it yet.
If you don't want to ruin the sofa, I'm sorry but the best way is to call a leather professional. Not much help am I? sorry but I think it's better to leave it to the experts than do it yourself (which has no guarantees)
X(
AVOID using nail polish remove on your sofa! especially that this is LEATHER and it is color BLACK. Acetone is a very strong solvent.
We once used ordinary nail polish remover and it became discoloured, and I wouldn't recommend nail polish remover even if it is acetone free because I really haven't tried it yet.
If you don't want to ruin the sofa, I'm sorry but the best way is to call a leather professional. Not much help am I? sorry but I think it's better to leave it to the experts than do it yourself (which has no guarantees)
X(
good idea, but "experts" can ruin items, too. AND charge you for it. Be careful who you choose. I've seen dry cleaners attempt to remove spots and then ruin clothing by using strong solvents
Cologne or perfume works best for removing any type of mark from your leather sofa. My grandmother shared this tip with me and it worked when i was trying to get permanent marker that my niece used to "decorate" my tan leather sofa. It worked like a charm. Use just a little at a time and it will remove the stain.
(quoted)
Try acetate. Blot the chemical onto the nail polish spot using a Q tip trying not to touch the leather with the acetate and then blot with a towel and repeat, keep on doing this until stain is gone (will take a long time) From a carpet cleaner of 14 years..
Try acetate. Blot the chemical onto the nail polish spot using a Q tip trying not to touch the leather with the acetate and then blot with a towel and repeat, keep on doing this until stain is gone (will take a long time) From a carpet cleaner of 14 years..
I have never done this but it sounds like a reasonable solution. The general consensus is not to use nailpolish remover. Even the non- acetone nail polish contains acetate which also would be caustic to the leather.
- carefully scrape any excess of with dull knife or other dull instrument.
- mix mild soap and luke warm water. Mix it until you get lots of suds.
- with a sponge use only the foam to dab the stain - check to make sure you
are not spreading the stain.
- dab with clean cloth.
- if it's already hard gently rub with artgum eraser (can get in art stores) back
and forth across the stain.
- if nothing else works use an emery board or very fine sandpaper (6/0 - 8/0)
to gently file.
- work carefully as a thin layer of leather is removed. Good Luck!!!
- carefully scrape any excess of with dull knife or other dull instrument.
- mix mild soap and luke warm water. Mix it until you get lots of suds.
- with a sponge use only the foam to dab the stain - check to make sure you
are not spreading the stain.
- dab with clean cloth.
- if it's already hard gently rub with artgum eraser (can get in art stores) back
and forth across the stain.
- if nothing else works use an emery board or very fine sandpaper (6/0 - 8/0)
to gently file.
- work carefully as a thin layer of leather is removed. Good Luck!!!
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also, be SURE it is leather, not plastic, or plastic coated fabric
as Chris noted: test test test in a place (on the same material) that will not show (if there IS one)!
solvents will dissolve plastics, so be careful
also after it is cleaned, polish with a good natural moisturizing leather wax
and lastly
DO NOT paint your nails while on furniture!!!