To remove gel polish at home you will need cotton balls, tin foil, acetone, cuticle oil, and a nail file. Start by protecting your cuticles with some cuticle oil. Next, file off the top layer of the gel polish.  Then wrap your nails in foil with an acetone-soaked cotton ball on the nail. After soaking for 10 to 15 minutes, remove the foil and scrape away the gel with the file. Additional soaks may be necessary.