How to remove nail glue off your nails, skin, and clothes

Although nail glue is what helps keep your press-ons in place, there comes a time when you need to take them off. To avoid damaging your natural nails, you will want to be extra careful when removing not only the press-ons but also the glue. Ever wonder how to remove glue off nails safely? Here’s everything you need to know!

Table of Contents

Professional nail glue

Since nail glue has to be durable, it should come as no surprise that its chemical structure is closer to superglue than regular, everyday glues. Their similarity stems from the fact that both contain a compound called cyanoacrylate. This compound provides them with a clear shade and is responsible for the quick-dry effect.

At this point, you may be wondering whether there are alternatives for nail glue. In short, there aren’t. Nail glue is formulated to stick to the cells of nails, while other glues are not. That is why if you try to use craft glue or epoxy, you can expect the nails to fall off pretty quickly. That said, with nail glue being so durable, you may be thinking about how to remove nail glue at all. Well, first things first.

How to apply nail glue properly?

Before we tackle the problem of the removal of nail glue, let’s begin by focusing on how to avoid the issue altogether. You can do this by learning how to apply it correctly. This will not only help you with the removal but will aid in avoiding potential adverse side effects. Let’s begin!

Choose a high-quality nail glue to help keep your nails in good condition
Organise your press-ons to have them easily accessible
Prep your nails for the glue – clean, buff, and remove any excess moisture and oil
Apply a dash or two to one nail at a time and spread it over the surface, avoiding the cuticles
Gently place the press-on nail

Pro tip: It’s better to apply a smaller amount of glue to avoid creating a dripping mess

How to get nail glue off your nails?

When you notice that your press-ons are starting to feel a bit wobbly, it’s time to remove them. However, since this type of manicure involves the use of nail glue, the removal process will differ from gel or acrylic nail removal. Let’s break it down in steps:

Fill a small bowl with warm water and some cuticle oil
Soak your nails in the solution for at least ten minutes, as this will soften the glue and loosen the press-ons
Fill a second bowl with warm water and acetone
Soak your nails in the solution for a few minutes while the nail glue deteriorates
Remove your fingers from the bowl and gently start lifting each press-on at the base (next to the cuticle)
With the press-on nails removed, place your hands in the warm water and cuticle oil solution to help get rid of any excess glue
The water and oil mixture should remove most, if not all, glue; however, if there is still some residue, gently buff it off
As a final step, apply cuticle oil and moisturiser to your nails

If, during the process, you notice that the glue hasn’t softened enough or the nails aren’t loose, give your fingers some extra time in the water bath. Remember, be patient!

How to get nail glue off skin?

No matter whether you’re a pro or a beginner, accidents happen. Fortunately, if you end up with dried nail glue on your skin, the cleanup will be fairly easy. What you will need is some warm water and soap. Depending on where you ended up with the glue, you can either prep a bowl for soaking (just like while removing your press-ons) or hop into a warm shower or bath. This will soften the glue, making it easy to remove.

How to get nail glue out of clothes?

Although it may seem impossible, you can actually get nail glue out of clothes. However, here the process is different than when removing it from your nails and skin. Especially the first step may seem counterintuitive:

Wait for the nail glue to dry, as this will prevent it from spreading over a bigger surface
Using a stiff-bristled toothbrush, scrub off the dried glue
Do an acetone spot test on a hidden area of the fabric and wait thirty minutes
Dip a cotton ball or swab in acetone and rub it over the stain; keep in mind this may take a few minutes
Rinse the fabric under cold water to remove leftover acetone and glue; squeeze excess water
Apply a stain remover over the glue residue and let it sit for a few minutes
Wash the garment in warm water according to the instructions on the label
Avoid placing the washed piece of clothing in a drier; instead, air dry to prevent the stain from setting in