8 Easy Ways to Get Nail Polish Out of Your Carpet



Spills are bound to happen, but knowing how to get nail polish out of carpet can be particularly tricky.

Unsightly and long-lasting nail polish stains can cause panic, but it is possible to remove them for good using several methods—some of which involve items you already own.

Here are a few methods for getting nail polish out of your carpet in a flash.

How to Get Nail Polish Out of Carpet

Collect your cleaning supplies, including paper towels, sponges or microfiber cloths, cotton swabs, disposable or dull butter knives, and the cleaning agents for your preferred method.

Review the manufacturer’s label on the carpet to read up on the type of material in the fibers, as well as any specific cleaning instructions. Before applying any cleaner, defer to these directions and avoid any cleaning solution that the label says will damage the carpet.

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Tip

As soon as possible after a spill, try to blot it using a damp paper towel or clean dish towel. Do not scrub the wet nail polish with a paper towel or cloth, as this may further rub the nail polish into the carpet fibers, causing the stain to set even faster or spread further

azsoslumakarna / Getty Images

Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover

Traditional acetone removers can be very harsh on rugs and carpets. Avoid harsh removers containing acetate, triacetate, or modacrylic because they might ruin the fiber.

Saturate a cotton swab or sponge with the remover, and then dab the stain. Try to use as little nail polish remover as possible. Use a clean paper towel or lint-free cloth to try to remove and lift the stain. Repeat the process until the stain lifts, but stop if you notice discoloration or fraying.

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Hairspray

Hairspray is another efficient alternative to remove nail polish from any carpet. Wet the stain with cold water. Spray 15 to 20 pumps of hairspray directly onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before blotting the area with a clean cloth.

Repeat until the stain disappears. For stubborn stains, add a splash of rubbing alcohol and use an old toothbrush or soft bristle brush to scrub the affected area before blotting it out. Let the carpet dry.

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol works the same way as nail polish remover. Wet a cotton swab or cloth with the rubbing alcohol, then dab the stain with the saturated cotton ball.

Follow with a clean paper towel or cloth to blot the nail polish stain. Continue blotting until the stain lifts. Keep changing the cotton ball, paper towel, or cloth to avoid accidentally blotting the stain back into the carpet.

The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

Window Cleaner

Window cleaners should be used carefully and according to the product instructions for safe use. Do a spot test to ensure the ammonia doesn’t cause discoloration, as this is a harsher solution.

If you have a window cleaner with ammonia, apply a small amount to the stain and scrub in a circular motion using a sponge or lint-free cloth. Rinse the affected area with water and let it dry. The stain should disappear.

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Vinegar

Mix white vinegar and water (ratio of 1:1). Dampen a clean cloth with the solution and blot the stain. Rinse the area with water afterward. Alternatively, mix a squirt of dish soap with a tablespoon of vinegar and hot water to create a cleaning solution.

Spray it on the stain, completely saturating the area. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and dab the stain with a vinegar-saturated cloth or paper towel.

For stubborn stains, scrub the area with a soft bristle brush before dabbing with a cloth, then rinse with clean water.

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Baking soda

Cover the stain with baking soda and soak with ginger ale or club soda. Club soda is best for light-colored carpets. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes or until it stops bubbling. Then, blot the stain with a paper towel or clean cloth until it lifts. Once the spot dries, vacuum up any remaining baking soda residue.

The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

Dish soap

Similar to nail polish remover, dish soap may be used to wash out nail polish stains quickly. Mix liquid soap with warm water and use a gentle scrubbing brush in a circular motion to loosen the polish from the carpet fibers.

Blot dry with a paper towel to lift any wet colorings. Rinse with clean water and repeat until the polish is removed.

Dry Cleaning Solvent

Dry cleaning solvent is typically sold as a powder and is effective for wool carpets or rugs. Measure a teaspoon and apply it to the stain. Then, scrub the stain with an old or soft bristle toothbrush, working the solvent into the fibers.

Let it sit for about 10 minutes. Once the solvent sets, use a damp toothbrush to scrub the stain in circles and then wipe down the area with a dry cloth. Vacuum any excess solvent. If the above methods don’t work, try a commercial carpet cleaner designed to remove tough stains.

Tips for Cleaning Carpet Stains

  • Scrape: If the nail polish stain is dry, try gently scraping it off the carpet piles using a dull butter knife. Afterward, vacuum the area and try to remove any excess pieces.
  • Trim: If the polish has just glazed the tops of the carpet fibers, you may simply opt to trim the affected material using a pair of scissors. Depending on the colors, this may be much less noticeable than bleeding carpet colors.
  • Hire a Pro: If your carpet or rug is an antique, then there’s a good reason not to risk ruining it with home-based solutions. Also, if the polish has already hardened and DIY solutions are causing discoloration, then a pro can help.

FAQ

  • The fastest way to respond to a sudden spill is to blot the liquid before it sets. Use a paper towel to soak up as much of the wet polish as possible, then use warm water and dishwashing liquid soap to lift the stain before it fully dries.

  • In many cases, yes, acetone will damage your carpet. Acetone can cause visible discoloration and fiber damage. Bleeding colors, thinning fibers, and fraying are possible outcomes.

  • Yes. Hydrogen peroxide is a safer alternative to bleach. Mix one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with three tablespoons of water. Blot the stain with the mixture until the nail polish starts to dissolve. Rinse the area with water afterward.



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