How to Remove Nail Polish from Carpet

Nail polish is tricky to remove from any fabric, but what about when it’s stuck on your carpet? If you’ve had a spill, don’t worry: it doesn’t mean your carpet is ruined for good. If you act fast, you can completely remove even the darkest colors of nail polish from your carpet without any lasting damage. Here are a few steps to take to remove nail polish from your carpet as soon as you discover a spill.

• Try to remove as much of the nail polish as you can. Blotting the stain with an old tea towel is a great way to pick up any excess product and save you an extra headache later on. Press a tea towel onto the area of the stain to soak up the residue and absorb as much nail polish as possible. Avoid paper towels, which can create a mulch-like mess and make the situation worse.
• Apply some sort of cleaning solution to the area, such as window cleaner, rubbing alcohol, or hairspray. Use acetone nail polish remover sparingly – it’s actually better to opt for non-acetone nail polish remover or use a different solution altogether. In lieu of nail polish remover, fill a spray bottle with water, adding one tablespoon of bleach-free detergent and spray the stained portion of your carpet.
• You can use a blunt metal implement or a small scrub brush to scrub at the stain to loosen it. A toothbrush or something similarly sized would work just fine. Scrub in small circular motions for two to three minutes. Add clean, cold water as needed to rinse the area and keep the stain from smearing. Do not use hot or warm water, which can make the stain worse.
• When the stain has lifted, soak up the excess water by pressing a clean dry tea towel to the area. It’s important that you dry your carpet as quickly as possible to prevent the growth of mold. Aim a fan at the area or just be sure to soak up as much water as you can on your own so it dries faster.

Although nail polish stains can be scary, there’s no cause for alarm. If you act quickly, you can remove the stain and restore your carpet to its usual condition with very little effort.