How to Remove Nail Polish from the Carpet

  • Nail polish stains on the carpet can be bad news if you don’t know how to get rid of them;
  • There are few simple practically tested methods to remove the fingernail polish from any carpet;
  • The most popular cleaning solutions are hairspray, non-acetone nail polish remover and rubbing alcohol;

No matter how hard you try to take care of your living space, stuff happens and stains appear everywhere almost inevitably. Such as nail polish stains on your brand-new carpet…

However, there is no need to worry! Worse things happen at the sea. Here you’ll find some really easy methods to remove nail polish from the carpet in no time.

(Of course, if the carpet is very expensive and requires unusual care – you should probably hand it to the professionals who will do the chemical dry cleaning.)    

Anyway, in most cases, it’s possible to remove the nail polish stains at home without any special efforts.

Before you get into the cleaning process, evaluate the situation carefully and follow the instructions accordingly:

  1. Is nail polish still wet? Yes? Then you’ll have to blot the stain very carefully (simply to remove the excess of the nail polish from the very top of it) and let the stain dry itself. Thus, you’ll have to handle this issue only the next day or even a few days later.
  2. Is the nail polish is dry already? Great! You can now dive into the cleaning process. First of all, try scratching the dry nail polish as much as possible. To do so, you can even use the scissors, small razor or a knife. Make sure you cut off only tiny bits of the carpet that is covered in stains heavily.

Once you get rid of the majority of the nail polish, try any of these super effective cleaning methods to remove the remaining dirty spots:

Method No. 1: Hairspray + rubbing alcohol

  • Wet the stain with cold water generously.
  • Spray some hairspray on the stained area and leave it for a couple of minutes.
  • Brush the dirty spots with a sponge, clean cloth or a paper towel in circular motion.

Have the nail polish stains disappeared? No? Then calm down and continue the procedure:

  • Add a small amount of rubbing alcohol on top of the same area and scrab until the stains vanish.

TIP: Do not expect the stains to disappear from the first time. It is very common that during the cleaning process the spots will become even brighter. Do not panic – it is very likely that the procedure will have to be repeated a few times until the desired result is reached.

Method No. 2: Nail polish remover

  • Wet the stained area abundantly using a damp cloth. No need to rub it!
  • Mix a solution from the equal parts of non-acetone polish remover and warm water. For extra power, add some alcohol.
  • Apply the solution on the stained area and start rubbing with a paper towel or a toothbrush.
  • Rinse everything with the warm plain water and repeat the procedure again if needed.
  • Dry the area immediately after cleaning with a hairdryer.

Important: Removing the nail polish stains from the carpet is easy but requires some thoroughness. It is very important to avoid excess moisture and clean without a hurry because every little mistake can worsen the situation. Thus, try to apply the acetone only within the stained area to avoid damage to the part of the carpet that is clean.

Method No. 3: Hydrogen peroxide

  • Mix the cleaning solution from the equal parts of warm water and hydrogen peroxide.
  • Wet the stained area generously with the solution and let it sit for a couple of minutes.
  • Scrub the spots gently using a paper towel, sponge or a toothbrush.
  • Dry the carpet with a hairdryer and vacuum it with a vacuum cleaner.

TIP: No matter what cleaning method you choose, try the solution on the less visible part of the carpet first to make sure there is no negative reaction.

You can finally breathe easily now that you are fully capable of removing even the worst dirtiness, such as nail polish stains from your carpet. Everything is possible if you have the right amount of knowledge.

Just one last tip – do not use all the methods at once as it will rub the fingernail polish deeper in the carpet making it even worse and harder to remove.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the nail polish fumes can be harmful because they contain some toxic chemicals in it. Therefore, you should use it only in a well-ventilated room. Also, you should do yourself a favor and cover the face with a special respirator (they are ridiculously cheap but very effective).
Although the bleach can remove the stains, it is not recommended to use on the carpet or any other visible surface because it is very likely that it will damage the color of the items.
Sure thing! Simply soak the piece of cotton ball in an alcohol and start rubbing the nail polish covered area. It works similarly as the fingernail polish remover, however, it requires a little more time for the stain to disappear.
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