The scoop on removing nail polish or nail polish remover smell, discarding old unused nail polish and how to choose a nail salon.
Discarding old unused nail polish
Maybe you have a nail polish storage case full of polishes that are no longer fit to be used. But hold on before you toss it all away in the trash. Did you know that nail polish – like batteries – are considered hazardous waste by the United States Environmental Protection Agency? Nail polishes contain reactive, toxic and flammable chemicals like formaldehyde. Here’s how to dispose of old nail polish safely:
- You can dispose dry nail polish in the regular trash. Pour nail polish onto a disposable container or newspaper and allow it to dry, or take the lids off the polish containers and let them dry out.
- A hazardous waste treatment facility will accept your nail polishes. This is particularly convenient if you have a large amount of nail polish to get rid of.
- Don’t throw them away at all – use them in other ways! Clear nail polish can stop runs in pantyhose or keep the end of shoelaces from fraying.
- If you’re simply tired of the color but the polish is still usable, think about giving old nail polish to friends and neighbors.
How to remove nail polish or nail polish remover smell
The distinctive smell of nail polish can be owed to the following:
- Ethyl acetate is a solvent found in nail polish and remover and has a fruity odor.
- Formaldehyde acts as a nail hardener and has a pungent and strong odor often described as suffocating.
- Toluene is a nail polish thinner with a sweet, piercing smell.
The smell of nail polish or nail polish remover is not just nauseating – it could be potentially dangerous. Toluene is a reproductive and developmental toxin, formaldehyde a carcinogen and common indoor air pollutant, and dibutyl phylate is known to affect hormone function and may cause infertility.
To remove the nail polish and remover smells:
- Prevention is the best cure. Start with proper ventilation to minimize smells and fumes. Be sure to keep a window open when painting your nails indoors.
- Wash any polish or remover spills out thoroughly.
- If you want to try and cover up the smell, use incense or air freshener like Febreeze after you’ve done your nails.
- Spray away the smell with distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle.
- While there is no true organic nail polish, a product like Suncoat water-based nail polish eliminates the most harmful chemicals in nail polish. Without formaldehyde and toluene, the nail polish smell might be a little less overbearing.
How to pick a nail salon
Planning on getting your nails done? Don’t be seduced by the lowest prices – going to the wrong salon means you may run the risk of contracting bacterial or fungal infections like Candida and skin viruses (warts!), or worse. Take these tips to heart when choosing a nail salon.
- Observe overall cleanliness. Are the salon and manicurist workstations clean? Does the technician observe proper sanitation practices (disinfection of the workstation and instruments, the use fresh disposable materials)? Don’t feel afraid asking the nail technician how instruments have been disinfected and what solutions have been used.
- Take a breath. An overpowering aroma of nail polish and acetone will mean that the facility’s ventilation is inadequate, and appointments will leave you nauseous.
- Know what the price of service includes beforehand. Does a coat of polish, top coat, or fast-dry cost extra? Will you be charged for broken nail repair?
- Check if the salon and your technician are licensed. All states besides Alaska, Connecticut, Nebraska and Utah require that nail technicians be licenses with most states requiring that license be displayed (along with an attached photograph) for customers.