How to Remove Powder Nails

Using Aluminum Foil

Sand down the top layer of each nail with a nail file. Removing the shiny top coat of your powder nails is important for removal. File each nail thoroughly and evenly — this will make the powder come off much more efficiently.

Soak cotton balls in pure acetone. Either pull apart cotton balls so the pieces are the size of your fingernails, or use whole cotton balls to soak in 100% pure acetone. Each cotton ball will cover 1 fingernail. The cotton balls shouldn’t be dripping with acetone, but they should contain plenty of acetone to properly soak your nails.

Wrap your nails in foil to hold the cotton balls in place. Once the cotton balls have acetone on them, place each cotton ball on a corresponding nail. Wrap each nail in a small piece of aluminum foil, making sure the foil completely covers the nail and will hold the cotton ball in place. Wrapping a significant part of your finger as well as your fingernail will ensure the foil stays put.

Wait 10-15 minutes for the nails to soak in the acetone. Letting your nails soak for 10-15 minutes will ensure that the acetone does its job. Try not to move the foil or cotton balls around too much before the time has elapsed.

Remove the foil and cotton balls from your nails. When removing the foil and cotton balls, press down slightly on each nail so that the cotton ball will help wipe off the powder. Remove all of the foil and cotton balls, and file off any residue left over from the powder.

Soaking in Acetone

File the surface of each of your nails. Use a nail file to sand down the top layer of the powder. Filing each nail thoroughly and evenly will help the acetone soak into the powder more efficiently.

Fill a large bowl or dish with hot water. Find a bowl that will fit another smaller bowl inside of it, and fill the large bowl with hot water. The water doesn’t need to be boiling — it shouldn’t burn your fingers. You can easily heat up the water by microwaving it for less than 1 minute.

Place 1-2 smaller bowls in the hot water for soaking. If you want to soak both of your hands at the same time, you’ll need to find 2 bowls that will both fit in the larger bowl together. The easiest method is to choose 1 smaller bowl that will fit in the larger bowl and soak each hand 1 at a time. When choosing a smaller bowl, make sure it’s big enough to fit all 5 nails.

Dip a paper towel in acetone and place it in the smaller dish. Fold a paper towel into halves or thirds and thoroughly cover it in 100% pure acetone. It doesn’t need to be so saturated that it’s dripping, but it should be able to easily soak your nails.

Soak your nails in the dish for 10-15 minutes. Let your nails sit in the acetone for 10-15 minutes to ensure the acetone soaks into the powder. If you’re doing 1 hand at a time, soak 1 hand for 10-15 minutes and then soak the other hand for another 10-15 minutes. To prevent the smell of acetone from becoming overwhelming, place a towel over your hand and the bowl. It’s also smart to open a window or turn on a fan.

Wipe off the powder nails with a paper towel. After the 10 to 15 minutes have elapsed, remove your nails from the bowl and wipe them off with a paper towel. If there is any residue left, you can use a nail file to remove it.