Oh no, a gel polish spill on the sofa is a tricky situation, but don't panic! We can definitely walk through some steps to try and fix it. Gel polish is a bit tougher than regular polish because it's cured, but the approach is similar.
First, if the polish is still wet, carefully scrape off as much of the excess as you can with a dull knife or the edge of a credit card. If it's already hard, you can still try to gently flake off the raised, hardened part. The goal is to remove the bulk of it before you start using any liquids.
The most important step, before you do anything else, is to find a hidden spot on your sofa to do a patch test. This could be on the back, under a cushion, or on a seam allowance. You need to make sure that whatever cleaning solution you use won't discolor or damage the fabric.
Once you've done a successful spot test, start with the gentlest method. Dampen a clean, white cloth with a non-acetone nail polish remover. Instead of rubbing, which can spread the stain, you want to blot the polish stain gently. Press the cloth onto the spot, lift, and check the cloth to see if the polish is transferring. Keep moving to a clean section of the cloth and continue blotting until the stain is gone.
If non-acetone remover isn't strong enough, you can try rubbing alcohol using the same blotting technique. For stubborn gel polish, acetone is often the most effective solvent, but it comes with a big warning: it can melt or dissolve certain synthetic fabrics like acetate. Only use acetone if your spot test was successful and you're prepared for the risk. Again, use a clean cloth and blot carefully.
After you've removed the polish, you'll want to clean the area to get rid of any solvent residue. You can do this by blotting the spot with a cloth dampened with a little bit of soapy water, followed by a cloth with plain water. Let the area air dry completely. If the stain is very large or on a delicate fabric, calling a professional upholstery cleaner might be your safest option.
