Few people know how to dispose of nail polish remover. Even fewer know that there’s a specific process to it. It’s not something that’s widely known.
And unless you’re a salon owner, the lack of knowledge was likely never an issue. Of course, disposal procedures don’t apply to all nail polish removers.
But how do you dispose of it safely and what precautions should you take? In this article, we discuss how to dispose of it, what you’ll need, and safety precautions.
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Most nail polish removers contain acetone. This is a powerful, highly flammable chemical that falls under the hazardous waste category. This is why it’s not the best way to remove nail polish from the skin.
This is why it should be disposed of properly. Much like gasoline, oil, and even glass, acetone requires proper handling and use.
Salons generally need to dispose of high quantities of nail polish remover daily. It’s important to consult your local fire department about this.
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The fire department can tell you the specific safety regulations on acetone. In some cases, it might mean using a fireproof container that they will give you.
When it comes to handling acetone or its products, there are things that you should never do. Before we get into nail polish remover disposal, let’s discuss the dos and don’ts.
Always be mindful of where you store acetone nail polish remover. This is especially important if you have curious children or pets around.
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It can burn and dry out the skin, and the fumes can damage the sinus and lungs. If not disposed of properly, it can also cause a sudden fire.
It’s for this reason that each state or region has specific regulations in place. These regulations apply to the use, storage, and disposal of acetone products.
Accidents happen, but they’re easier to clean up on a flat, hard surface. Beauticians generally work on a manicurist’s table or pedicure chair. This makes clean-up easier and prevents staining clothing or furniture.
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When we do home manicures, many of us like lounging on the sofa with our favorite TV show playing. The couch isn’t exactly a flat or stable foundation for a mani/pedi. And you’ll either have your tools and polishes on the coffee table or the floor.
In this scenario, accidents happen quite frequently. It’s easy to get distracted by the TV and spill either nail polish or nail polish remover.
You could end up damaging the sofa, rug/laminated floors, and coffee table. The only good news is that the coffee table is easy to fix. We explain this in our article on how to remove nail polish remover from a wooden table.
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Unfortunately, large spills on the sofa or rug are not easily fixed. The sofa might need to be reupholstered and the rug will likely have to be thrown out.
If you spilled nail polish on the sofa, read our article on how to remove dried nail polish from fabric. It’s not ideal to use nail polish remover for this.
Save yourself all this trouble and work on a flat surface. If you’re using a wooden table, you can take preventative measures to protect it. Cover it in plastic food wrap and place a towel over the plastic.
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When disposing of nail polish remover, you need to wear gloves. A mask might also be needed if you’re disposing of a large amount. Small amounts are okay, for example removing lacquer nail polish.
You can use either latex gloves or rubber cleaning gloves. Both are tough enough to protect your hands against acetone polish remover.
Ensure that you work in a properly ventilated area. Salons are well-ventilated as a general rule. If you’re doing a DIY mani/pedi at home, open the windows and door. This will give the acetone fumes somewhere to go.
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We all know that nail polish remover comes in a plastic bottle at the store. But it might be a good idea to pour it into a metal container with a proper seal.
Plastic is not ideal, especially if you have pets or children in the house. Both tend to be inquisitive and will accidents can happen easily.
A metal container is essential for the disposal of large amounts of acetone products. Depending on the laws of your state or region, salons might need a fireproof container.
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The fire department or hazardous waste/recycling facility will provide this. They might even send a professional who is licensed and qualified to collect it each day.
This step is for at-home use only. We generally don’t use much nail polish remover at home and it's pretty safe to dispose of.
The risk is low when disposing of acetone-soak products like a few cotton balls. Damage to health (or the remover causing a fire) is unlikely.
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When disposing of nail polish remover at home, you need to allow the cotton balls to dry properly first. This lowers the risks considerably.
Once dry, you can dispose of them in a garbage bag. Be sure that it’s a separate bag from the rest of your trash. There's a possibility of trash catching fire when in contact with acetone products.
You can make a sealed container of your own as well. Add a garbage bag to a sealable container a voila! If you’re still concerned, you can drop it off at your nearest recycling/hazardous waste facility.
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In the case of accidental consumption (ingestion or inhalation) seek medical attention. This doubly applies to children and pets, even if only a small amount was consumed.
Acetone nail polish removers are effective but potentially harmful. It’s also one of the best ways to remove gel polish from nails.
After using nail polish remover be sure to wash your hands, even if only a little was used. Use soap and water, and then moisturize .
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Acetone tends to dry out skin and nails. Washing your hands and using cream will restore moisture. You might also want to use cuticle oil to strengthen your nails. This article was co-authored by Gregory Cade, JD. Gregory Cade is an Environmental and Occupational Law Attorney. With over 25 years of experience, he has extensive knowledge in injuries resulting from toxic substance exposure like pesticides. He is a member of numerous professional organizations, including The American Bar Association, The National Association of Environmental Professionals, and The American Association for Justice. Gregory graduated with a BS in Natural Science and Mathematics with an emphasis in Chemistry and Biology and an MPH in Occupational Health, Safety, and Industrial Hygiene from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also holds a JD from Miles School of Law.
Acetone is a hazardous solvent that can cause health and environmental problems when not recycled correctly. If you work in a nail salon or use it to clean coins, you need to wash your hands and dispose of the acetone cleaner in proper containers. Store soaked rags in bins and take them to hazardous waste facilities. Paint thinner needs to be strained into a sealed jar and placed in a metal garbage bin that’s been hammered closed.
This article was co-authored by Gregory Cade, JD. Gregory Cade is an Environmental and Occupational Law Attorney. With over 25 years of experience, he has extensive knowledge in injuries resulting from toxic substance exposure like pesticides. He is a member of numerous professional organizations, including The American Bar Association, The National Association of Environmental Professionals, and The American Association for Justice. Gregory graduated with a BS in Natural Science and Mathematics with an emphasis in Chemistry and Biology and an MPH in Occupational Health, Safety, and Industrial Hygiene from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also holds a JD from Miles School of Law. This article has been viewed 142, 115 times.
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Acetone is a hazardous solvent, so you’ll have to dispose of it safely. If you have any leftover acetone, nail polish, nail polish remover, or rags soaked in acetone, take them to a hazardous waste facility or Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. You can find a local facility on the EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act info page. If you need to dispose of acetone paint thinner, strain it through a coffee filter into a jar. Then, close the lid and store the paint thinner for reuse or take it to a hazardous waste facility. When the paint in the filter is dry, wrap it in newspaper and throw it in the trash. If you have any cotton balls that you’ve soaked in small amounts of acetone, you can put these in the regular trash too. For more tips, including how to dispose of acetone in a university lab or art department, read on!Nail polish remover is the strong-smelling liquid solvent you use to remove nail lacquer, usually made with Isopropyl acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and n-methyl-pyrrolidone, as Safe Cosmetics notes. These harsh chemicals are great against traditional nail polish but can also cause environmental and health dangers, so acetone should be handled carefully when disposing of it. We'll walk you through how to properly and safely dispose of nail polish remover in this guide.
First, here are some things to keep in mind when discarding this harsh chemical solution. According to Napa Recycling, you should
