Varnish stains are one of the most difficult stains to remove from the skin. Even if you've taken precautions such as wearing gloves and protecting your skin, the varnish may still touch your skin while you're working. If the stain is found before it dries, you can still remove it with soap and water. However, often you will need to use chemicals that are not normally used on the skin. However, varnish stains can still be removed from the skin if you remove them carefully and thoroughly, and use the right products.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Stains with Soap
Step 1. Combine dish soap, laundry detergent and warm water in a bowl
Stir the mixture slowly so it doesn't get too foamy. If the stain is on your face, use an unscented dish soap and don't add laundry detergent.
- The ratio of detergent, dish soap, and water will depend on how sensitive your skin is and how difficult it is to remove stains from your skin.
- Use a larger amount of detergent if you don't have sensitive skin or if the stain is very difficult to remove.
- If you have sensitive skin, you can probably only use dish soap. Make sure you dilute the mixture significantly with water.
Step 2. Use a towel or brush to remove the stain using the soap mixture
Dip a brush or towel into the mixture, then rub it over the stain on your skin. Re-wet the brush or towel with the mixture periodically.
- Soap mixtures usually only remove varnish stains that have just stuck to the skin. Act quickly so you don't have to use products that are harsher on your skin.
- If the towel absorbs the stain, use the part of the towel that hasn't been soiled before you continue scrubbing.
Step 3. Moisturize the skin after you've removed the varnish stain
Wet the previously stained skin with warm or cold water. Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to repair skin damage from soap and scrubbing.
Method 2 of 3: Remove Oil Based Varnish Stains
Step 1. Find out if the varnish you are using is oil-based
The tin or container that comes with the varnish usually indicates whether the product is oil-based or not. You can test whether the varnish is oil-based by adding a few drops of water to the varnished wood. If the water droplets form large droplets, the varnish you are using is oil-based.
Step 2. Pour the mineral turpentine into a small metal bowl
Mineral turpentine is available at many hardware stores. There are many mineral essential products that are generally labeled as paint thinner, although not all thinners are mineral turpentine. Make sure the container you are using to hold the turpentine is not painted or varnished.
Be careful when using turpentine. This liquid is highly flammable and the gas is toxic
Step 3. Dip a white washcloth in the turpentine
It will be easier to tell if the stain has lifted or not if you use a clean white washcloth. If the part of the cloth used starts to get dirty, switch to another part that is still clean or use a new cloth.
Step 4. Rub a washcloth dipped in turpentine on the stain
Carefully dab the turpentine on the stain and rub the washcloth over the stain without applying strong pressure. Continue this process until the stain is lifted from the skin.
If the washcloth is stained, this means the turpentine is working well. Switch to a clean area of the rag to allow the rag to absorb the varnish
Step 5. Rinse the stained area periodically with warm water while you scrub
Rinse the skin to remove the turpentine every few minutes as you scrub the stain. Turpentine is formulated to lift paint off hard surfaces such as wood and metal. This means most importantly it can burn or cause serious irritation to the skin if not removed immediately.
Step 6. Rinse skin thoroughly with warm water
You have to be very careful to make sure the turpentine is no longer on the skin, as the liquid can burn or damage the skin. If your skin is not sensitive and doesn't seem irritated, you can use soap to clean the previously stained skin. If you use soap, rinse your skin when you're done.
Using a moisturizing cream or lotion helps prevent skin irritation and damage. Use a moisturizer after you wash and rinse your skin
Method 3 of 3: Removing Water Based Varnish Stains
Step 1. Check if the varnish used is water based
If you still have the can or container of the product, you can find out through the label on the package. If not, rub a cotton swab moistened with alcohol on the varnish. If the cotton gets dirty, there's a good chance the varnish you have is water-based.
Step 2. Pour the alcohol or acetone into a small metal bowl
Both chemicals can lift blemishes, but are also very harsh on the skin. Regular alcohol doesn't cause more serious skin damage, but it doesn't remove stains as quickly or efficiently as acetone.
Acetone is commonly used in a variety of nail polish removers. Therefore, nail polish remover is the easiest and cheapest product if you want to use acetone to remove varnish stains
Step 3. Dip a white washcloth or patch in alcohol or acetone
Use a clean, white washcloth so you can see if the stain has lifted from the skin or not. Use only the ends of the cloth so you can move to a clean part of the cloth when the cloth begins to absorb the stain.
Step 4. Rub a washcloth soaked in alcohol or acetone on the stain
Blot the washcloth over the entire stain, then rub the cloth over the stain. Start on the outside of the stain and gradually work the cloth towards the center of the stain. Keep absorbing and rubbing the stain with the washcloth until all the stain is removed.
When the part of the cloth used starts to get dirty, switch to the part that is still clean. If the stain is very large or the stain is difficult to remove, you may need a few towels or patchwork to remove the stain
Step 5. Clean the skin with soap and water
Rinse the skin with warm water to remove any residual alcohol or acetone. Use a small amount of plain soap to clean the previously stained skin. After cleaning, rinse the skin with warm water.
- If alcohol or acetone causes irritation to the skin, you will need to rinse the skin thoroughly with warm water, but do not apply soap to the skin until the skin has "rested" and repaired.
- You can also use a moisturizing cream or lotion to soothe and repair your skin after cleansing. Thus, irritation and skin damage can be prevented.
Tips
- Removing varnish stains from the skin is very difficult. You may need to use solutions that are harsh on the skin. If your skin is red or irritated, you may need to wait a few days before trying to remove the varnish stain again.
- Prevention is the best way to prevent the varnish from getting on the skin. Wear protective rubber gloves and cover any exposed skin when you want to apply the varnish.
Warning
- Some of the chemicals mentioned in this article are highly flammable, toxic, or dangerous. Read the label on the package/can carefully and be aware of the risks before using it on the skin.
- If any of the chemicals mentioned in this article are accidentally ingested or inhaled, contact your doctor, hospital, or poison control center immediately (if applicable).
- There are several products that are specifically formulated to remove varnish from wood directly. These products are not designed for use on human skin. If you're having trouble removing varnish stains from your skin, you can use a stain stripper. Read product labels for health warnings, and use the product sparingly if you really want to use the chemical on your skin.
- Never mix chemicals without knowing the exact result. You can safely mix soap, but don't mix with the other chemicals mentioned in this article.
