How to Get Rid of Nail Polish Smell

Getting nail polish done is all fun and sweet, but it can become problematic if you don't know how to get rid of its smell. The unpleasant smell of chemicals contained in the nail polishes lingers in the air for days. Therefore, it needs to be treated immediately to stop the smell from dispersing in the air.

Furthermore, fresh nail polishes also leave a smell of mixed chemicals on hands. So suppose if you have to go meet people and you need fresh nails, how would you get rid of the nail polish’s smell that soon? Since obviously, one can’t wash hands right after getting the nail paint done.

Neglecting this subtle yet prominent smell of nail polish can be a big etiquette mistake.

It is common for nail polishes to contain toxins and chemicals that can smell harsh, for example, Acetone, Toluene, Propylene Carbonate, Ethyl Acetate, etc.

Acetone and Toluene have the worst impacts on health if ingested or inhaled frequently. More than nail polish, fumes of nail polish remover are hazardous to health.

So how do we get rid of this smell?

Getting Rid of Nail Polish’s Smell From Hands:

If you have sensitive skin, then you should not underestimate the damage that nail polish residues can do to your skin nor should you neglect the side effects of its fumes on your lungs.

Also, regardless of one’s skin type, the smell of nail polish can be pretty much off-putting.

So here is a step-by-step guide that you can follow to get rid of nail polish or its remover’s smell from your hands. The process may take 10-12 minutes in total.

1. Allow the freshly applied nail polish to dry completely (perhaps with a hairdryer if you are running out of time).
   
   
2. Fill cold water in a bowl and add 3-4 ice cubes. Keep your fingers dipped in the bowl for 3-5 minutes. This tip ensures to dry the nail polish even more quickly. However, do not dip nails in the water right after applying. Let the nail paint sit for at least a minute before you dip in the cold water.
   
   
3. Pat your hands dry. Beware of keeping your nail polish untouched.
   
   
4. Now take a bowl and add warm water.
   
   
5. Add 1-2 pumps of shampoo or odor neutralizing handwash.
   
   
6. Add 2 spoons of baking soda and mix.
   
   
7. Dip your hands in the solution for about 4-5 minutes.
   
   
8. Pull out and rinse off with clean warm water.
   
   
9. Don’t forget to moisturize your hands well.
   
   
10.  Applying transparent nail shiner over the nail polish can refresh the look.

Taking 10 minutes to get rid of the off-putting smell from hands is better than facing embarrassment, or bearing the smell yourself at the end of the day. After all, freshly done nails should be enjoyed with utmost pleasure and zero nuisance, right?

Getting Rid of Nail Polish’s Smell From the Air? 

Getting rid of acetone’s smell resulting from nail polish or its remover from the air can be tricky. It settles and diffuses in the area. Other chemicals of the nail polish can be smelt mixed with acetone. So how do you freshen up your space in minutes?

Especially when guests are coming over or you, yourself, want the unpleasant odor to go away instantly?

Well, we have a way out.

Here is a step-by-step guide that you can follow to get rid of nail polish’s smell from the air or your space in minutes.

1. Close all the windows, and turn off the fans.
   
   
2. Spray an odor-neutralizing spray in the room like the Febreze spray.
   
   
3. Wait for a couple of minutes then turn on the fan and open the windows.
   
   
4. Let the fan ventilate the area well.
   
   
5. Diffuse Tea Tree essential oil. If you don't have a diffuser at home, then simply take a bowl and fill it with water. Then add 3 to 4 drops of Tea Tree essential oil. Stir the mixture and place it in the targeted area.
   
   
6. With ventilation and diffusion of tea-tree oil, the nail polish’s smell will be gone in a few minutes from your space.

Note: If you do not have tea-tree essential oil at home, you can use lavender, lemon, orange, cinnamon, peppermint, lemongrass, or rosemary essential oil for the same purpose.

Deodorizing the Furniture:  

One may want to deodorize the room for several reasons. However, there may be times when you spill nail polish remover on your furniture. If your affected furniture area is made of fabric then you will need to send it for deep cleaning.

However, if it is made of wood or some solid material, you can treat the acetone's odor at home. After following the aforementioned steps to clear the smell, the following method will help you deodorize the furniture where you spilled the nail polish remover. This method will also help you to deodorize your room at any given time when you feel there is some odor left and lingering.

1. Add your favorite essential oil to a bowl of distilled water.
   
   
2. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to the bowl of water.
   
   
3. Pour the mixture into a spraying bottle. And voila! A deep-cleaning, deodorizing and organic air freshener is ready.
   
   
4. Spray the mixture on any surface you think is smelling like acetone and you will soon feel the odor slowly fade away.

The Bottom Line: 

While Nail polish is a lovely thing to carry, etiquette to carry it without any mess is really important. Acetone’s odor lingering on your skin or in your room after you get your nails done can be off-putting even if it is not so prominent.

Note: Keeping coffee beans in a glass bowl around you when you are applying nail polish or nail polish remover can also effectively neutralize the odor and prevent it from dispersing.