Introduction <p>Proper removal of fluoride varnish (FV) residue is essential to avoid interference in fluoride uptake measurements in research studies.</p> Methods <p>This study evaluated five FV removal protocols applied to inert slabs (<i>n</i> = 8 per group): (I) scalpel blade, (II) acetone-soaked cotton swab, (III) combination of I and II, (IV) II plus 30-s acetone wash, and (V) plastic spatula + II + three 10-s vortexed acetone washes. A water-soluble fluoride gel served as control. Alkali-soluble residual contaminant fluoride (RCF) was quantified.</p> Results <p>%RCF values were: I (3.35 ± 1.27)^A, II (0.18 ± 0.20)^B, III (0.10 ± 0.13)^BC, IV (0.01 ± 0.01)^C, V (0.03 ± 0.01)^C, and control (0.02 ± 0.02)^C.</p> Conclusion <p>The combination of mechanical and chemical steps particularly with acetone and vortex washes minimize FV residues.</p>