The "Oil & Soap" Hack: How to Remove Press-Ons Without Acetone
Introduction
You are ready to take off your current set and switch to a new style. Usually, this means breaking out the 100% Acetone—the smelly, drying chemical that ruins your cuticles.
But did you know there is a better way?
Not only is acetone bad for your skin, but it also melts the press-on nail, making it impossible to reuse.
At TsukiNails, we champion the "Oil, Soap, and Water" method. It’s gentle, free, and keeps your press-ons intact for round two. Here is how to do it.
1. Why Skip Acetone?
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Skin Health: Acetone strips natural oils, leaving skin chalky and nails brittle.
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Reusability: Acetone dissolves plastic and gel. If you soak TsukiNails in acetone, they will turn into a gummy mess and go in the trash. The Oil method keeps them perfect.
2. The Recipe
You need 3 things from your kitchen/bathroom:
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Warm Water: As warm as you can comfortably tolerate (heat softens the glue).
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Dish Soap: Cuts through the bond.
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Oil: Olive oil, Cuticle oil, or Baby oil (lubricates the removal).
3. The Step-by-Step Method
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Step 1: Mix. Fill a bowl with warm water, a generous squirt of soap, and 10 drops of oil.
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Step 2: Soak. Submerge your hands for 10-15 minutes. Watch an episode of your favorite show.
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Step 3: The Lift. Check if the nails feel loose. Gently use the Wooden Stick to nudge the sides.
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Step 4: The Slide. If they are ready, the oil will have seeped underneath, and the nail should pop off with zero pain. Do not force it! If it hurts, soak for 5 more minutes.
4. Post-Removal Care
Once the nails are off:
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For Your Hands: Wash them and apply moisturizer. They will feel hydrated from the oil soak!
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For The Press-Ons: Use the wooden stick or a mini buffer to gently scrape the softened glue "gunk" off the back of the press-on. Pop them back in their box.
Conclusion
Removal doesn't have to be a chore (or a chemical hazard). Treat your removal process like a mini spa treatment, and your nails will stay healthy forever.