It always happens on the worst possible day. You’ve been at the salon since the wee hours of the morning, you’re finally on your last client — and then, oops, a red polish bottle slips and spills on your white shirt (or even worse, all over your new salon uniform). Before you resort to decorating the rest of your outfit with “artsy” nail polish spills to match, consider giving one of these pieces of advice from your fellow nail techs a try:

Use Kaboom (www.kaboomkaboom.com) or Awesome Spray Cleaner (available at most dollar stores) on the shirt. Let it soak for five to 10 minutes, then place in the washer with one can of soda (like Coca-Cola), two tablespoons baking soda, and 1/4 cup vinegar. Fill the washer with water, and let the shirt soak for about 30 minutes. Then wash as normal.
Di Dempsey, Tampa, Fla.

Resolve Pet Stain Spot Carpet Cleaner (www.thepowerofresolve.com) — I have used it on my clothes and it’s been good for me. Use a scrub brush and scrub lightly.
Amanda DeCarlo, Midnight Nails @ Salon Metamorphose, Ironwood, Mich.

Painters Goo Gone (www.magicamerican.com/googone.aspx) is my miracle worker. It doesn’t ruin any fabric and I even use it on my manicure towels to make them look brand new!
Melissa Tirado, via www.facebook.com/nailsmag

Spray hair spray on it — immediately! Hair spray will keep it from setting in, then as soon as you get home throw it in the wash. It will remove hair color on clothes too.
Cindy Walston, Portland, Ore.

Place two acetone-dipped tissues on either side of the material, then dab until it’s all gone.
Barry Davidson, via www.facebook.com/nailsmag