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How To Get Rid Of Nail Glue: The Most Effective Ways

In this article, I’m going to show you two of the very best methods of how to get rid of nail glue. 

The best thing about these methods is that they are quick and easy to do, and you will only need to follow a few simple steps.

I like to use both methods, but feel free to read through and choose the one that works best for you.

Additionally, if you like to wear fake and artificial nails often, it is recommended that you take time off regularly to let your nails breathe and to give them a chance to strengthen.

Applying false nails can be really fun and a great way to get a glamorous look.

They only take a couple of minutes to do and can be a really convenient way to add length and style in just a short amount of time.

Whilst your nails will look great during the time that your false nails are on, the fun will end when you remove your false nails and you have glue remaining on them. They can look like a bit of a mess!

Nail glue can be rather tricky to remove; particularly if you are looking to preserve the health of your nails and you don’t want to cause any damage or induce any pain.

How To Get Rid Of Nail Glue

This article will help you to not only remove your fake nails and the glue that stuck them on, but also to help look after and nourish your nails.

So let’s let’s get started.

Method 1: Acetone Soak

The Acetone Soak Method is a trialed and proven solution to removing nail glue.

I use this method pretty regularly when trying to remove my Acrylics because it doesn’t take too long to do because of the strength of the Acetone.

You can actually do the soaking method in two different ways.

  1. Use one bowl and use the Acetone at room-temperature.
  2. Use two bowls (One Larger and One Smaller), and use heat to improve the results.

Now I would recommend the latter and second option (using hot water).

This is because the heat from the water makes the acetone more effective in dissolving the glue.

However, you may not have two bowls of different sizes available or at hand to you at home.

Therefore, as both ways are effective, feel free to choose from Option 1 or 2 below that suits you best.

For this soaking method, depending on the option you choose, you will need:

Option 1:

  • 1 Small/Mini Cup/ Small Bowl or
  • Pure Acetone (Like This)

Option 2:

  • 2 Bowls (One Larger and one Smaller)
  • Pure Acetone (Like This)

If you are using Option 2, you will need to first boil a Kettle and add that hot water to your larger bowl. Alternatively, you can add cold water to a larger microwavable bowl and heat that up for a few minutes. Once you have filled the larger bowl with hot water, you will then place an empty small bowl into this large bowl of hot water and continue with the following steps. 

Step One: Pour a small amount of your Pure Acetone solution into your small bowl.

You will want to use a Pure Acetone and not just a regular nail polish remover because you will need a maximum strength formula to be able to remove the stubborn glue.

I personally use and love the Onyx Acetone which is Salon grade and has worked very well for me and my clients

Step Two: Place your nails into the bowl, and soak them into the Nail Polish Remover. The solution will actually help the process of dissolving the glue.

This method will take few minutes, and you will have to do this for both hands, so patience is needed. 

You can also use this method regardless of whether you still have your Acrylics on, and want to remove them, or you have already removed the false nails and just some glue is remaining. It works very well in both cases.

If you used this method whilst you still had Acrylics on, after a few minutes of soaking you will notice that you can now take off your fake nails easily, and the glue will also melt away with it.

This is my personal and go-to favorite because it is super easy and cheap.

Step Three (Optional): If you still have your Acrylics on when conducting this method, here’s a great tip (no pun intended) to remove your false nails. Use your thumb and index finger, just like this:

How To Remove Acrylic Nails
How To Remove Acrylic Nails

Now, you may be thinking, this looks painful, or it may ruin your natural nails – but this is actually the most effective and safe way to remove Acrylic Nails.

Remember, when it is time to take off your fake nails you will probably have been wearing them for around 10-14 days, and you would have washed quite a few times in that period (well I hope!)

By doing this, you will have indirectly, weakened or dissolved the nail glue day by day through the heat from the water.

You can also remove your fake nails by using your thumb and index finger to apply pressure under your nails.

Firstly, start by using your index finger and placing gently under your fake nail.

I suggest you do it this way where you can see the right side of your nail

User your index finger to assist with getting under the nail.

By going slowly and gently up and down you can start to remove the nail.

When you reach the point where it feels a lot more lose, you can remove in the following way:

Using this process, you will not need to apply too much pressure and it shouldn’t  hurt or damage your natural nails.

Be sure to work your way slowly and really get underneath your fake nails and then it will come right off.

Step Four: After taking all your nails off, I suggest you wash your hands with warm water. This will help to remove the traces of glue which will still be on your nails.

The more you wash your hands with warm water, the quicker the glue will dissolve.

If you wanted to speed up the process, you can also file your nails gently to get all the remaining glue off your nails.

We will now move onto how to do this in our second method below:

Step Five: Apply an all-natural and nail health promoting Cuticle Oil (like this) to your nails to help protect and regenerate any damage that you have caused during your time wearing Acrylics and Nail Glue.

Method 2: Nail Filing

Please note: If you decide to do this method, be very careful because you do not want to file too aggressively and cause damage to your natural nails. You also should be sure to choose and select the right file, that is not too rough and coarse.

For this first method you will need:

Step One: Take your nail file, or buffer, and slowly and slightly buff your nails.

Buffing your nails will actually take off and remove all of the glue, so long as apply enough pressure and buff every single nail that you have applied acrylics to and that glue remains.

Use your file or buffer in an up and down motion, concentrating on the areas most effective by the glue.

Step Two: Rinse your hands with warm water to remove any loose glue and debris.

Step Three (Optional): This step is optional but will help to give your nails a touch of shine. You will use the shine section of your file to do this, or a shining tool.

You may want to do this because buffing will take off the shiny layer of your nails, so this step will help to reintroduce this effect.

Step Four: Apply an all-natural and nail health promoting Cuticle Oil (like this) to your nails to help protect and regenerate any damage that you have caused during your time wearing Acrylics and Nail Glue.

Additionally, you can always apply a Nail Growth Serum daily to enhance your nail strength and promote growth.

Final Words

Hopefully, these two methods will work effectively for you in removing glue from your nails.

As I have said earlier in this post, the best method that works best for me is to soak my nails in Acetone, and leverage the steam from hot water from a larger bowl – this will amplify the results of the Acetone and help the nail glue to be dissolved and removed far more easily.

And if you are wondering how to get nail product out of other things, or even off yourself, check out my other guides below: