How to Get Nail Polish Out of Carpet – 6 Easy Ways

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How to get nail polish out of carpet? Nail polish on your carpet can be difficult to remove, especially if it has been there for a while. In this article, I will list various methods to remove the nail polish and make your carpet look new again.

How to get nail polish out of carpet? To get nail polish out of your carpet, you can try any of these 6 easy methods:

  1. Nail Polish Remover
  2. Vinegar
  3. Rubbing Alcohol
  4. Vinegar-Alcohol Solution
  5. Baking Soda and Ginger Ale
  6. Hairspray

The best way to get nail polish out of a carpet is to use a non-oily nail polish remover. Blot, dab, or gently wipe off the stain using a clean cloth or paper towel. Do this method repeatedly until the nail polish comes off. Use the nail polish remover sparingly so as to not damage your carpet.

Although wet or dried nail polish can appear hard to get out of a carpet, know that it can be done.

Continue reading to learn more about the 6 easy methods for getting nail polish out of your carpet.

Also, take a look at a cleaner that makes it a breeze to get nail polish out – the Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner Vacuum. This is a compact, lightweight, all-in-one vacuum and cleaner – perfect for any pet owner.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

How to Get Nail Polish Out of Carpet – 6 Easy Ways

Doing your own manicure and pedicure at home saves time and money. However, accidents can happen, and the nail polish can end up on your nice carpet. When this happens, don’t panic. You can quickly get that nail polish out of your carpet with any of the following methods.

For wet nail polish, you have to remove it immediately because dried nail polish is more difficult to get rid of. As for dry nail polish, first, you have to scrape off the nail polish as much as you can using a blunt knife or spoon before cleaning the carpet.

The method will also depend on the type of carpet that you have. If your carpet has multiple layers, you must saturate the area with a nail polish remover or other liquid solution before attempting to get rid of the stain.

removing nail polish on carpet

1. Nail Polish Remover

  1. Apply enough amount of the nail polish remover (acetone) onto the stain. Be careful not to drench the area as the color of the nail polish could spread to the other portions of your carpet.
  2. Blot or rub gently with a clean white cloth or paper towel to remove the nail polish stain.
  3. Afterward, rub the area gently with liquid dishwashing detergent using a clean, soft rag or paper towel. Make sure there is no bleach in the detergent to avoid carpet discoloration.
  4. Blot or dab with warm water to remove remnants of the nail polish.  
  5. Allow the area to air dry or dab it with a paper towel until dry.

The fastest way is to remove the nail polish while it’s still wet using a nail polish remover. Once the nail polish dries, it will take you longer to get rid of it from your carpet. Moreover, nail polish removers have specific properties that could eliminate nail polish.

Can a nail polish remover damage carpets? A nail polish remover can damage carpets if it has a bleaching ingredient. Avoid carpet discoloration by using removers that only act on nail polish stains and other types of stains. Using any kind of bleach is not recommended.

Also, vigorous scrubbing and brushing could damage the fibers or layers of the carpet. So, if you have to brush dried nail polish, you have to do it gently and carefully. Moreover, avoid soaking the carpet in strong acid solutions because acid solutions and acid-alcohol solutions act as color removers.

If you don’t have nail polish remover, you can use any of the following methods.

2. Vinegar 

  1. Saturate the stained area of the carpet with an ample amount of vinegar. Remember to avoid soaking the carpet in strong acid solutions because acid solutions and acid-alcohol solutions act as color removers.
  2. Let it sit for 10 minutes. 
  3. Follow steps 2 to 5 of method #1 (nail polish remover).

3. Rubbing Alcohol

  1. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto the area stained with nail polish.
  2. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. 
  3. Follow steps 2 to 5 from method #1 (nail polish remover).

4. Vinegar-Alcohol Solution

  1. Prepare a vinegar-alcohol solution by combining 1 part of white vinegar and 1 part rubbing alcohol.
  2. Let the vinegar-alcohol solution sit for 5 to 10 minutes
  3. Follow steps 2 to 5 from method #1 (nail polish remover).

5. Baking Soda and Ginger Ale

  1. Prepare a cleaning solution by dissolving two tablespoons of baking soda in two tablespoons of ginger ale. Mix well.
  2. Apply a sufficient amount of this mixture onto the nail polish stain.
  3. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
  4. Follow steps 2 to 5 from method #1 (nail polish remover).

You can use baking soda mixed together with ginger ale and apply it directly to the stain, as described above. You can also use baking soda directly to the stain to remove wet nail polish. Rub with a clean white cloth or paper towel circularly until you get rid of the stain.

However, if baking soda is misused, it could further cause the stain to spread or seep deeper into a carpet’s layers or fibers. Thus, you must follow the procedure correctly to avoid a mishap.

6. Hairspray

  1. Spray a sufficient amount of hairspray to the stain.
  2. Let the hairspray sit in the carpet for 5 to 10 minutes.
  3. Follow steps 2 to 5 from method #1 (nail polish remover).

The formula in hairspray can help remove stains from carpets. Remember to perform a patch test first by spraying a bit of hairspray on a small part of your carpet.

Wait for approximately 5 to 10 minutes, and then check to make sure the hairspray hasn’t damaged or stained your carpet. If there is no change to your carpet, then you know it is safe to use for getting rid of the nail polish.

Products to Help You Get Nail Polish Out of Your Carpet

1. Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner Vacuum

The Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner Vacuum is a perfect vacuum cleaner for stains caused by nail polish:

Click here to see it on Amazon.

It can tackle grime, dirt, spills, beverages, and food stains, including nail polish stains. Its rotating bristles are durable and can effectively remove stains without damaging the surface. 

This cleaner can also shorten the drying time of a carpet and similar surfaces because it dries as it cleans the area. You won’t be having problems drying your carpet as the cleaner automatically does it.

2. Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner, FH52000

The Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner is another carpet cleaner that you could reliably use to get rid of that nail polish from your carpet:

Click here to see this carpet cleaner on Amazon.

It provides optimal cleaning to any type of surface with its auto-clean motion-sensing feature. 

This powerful cleaner also provides an auto-dry mechanism that leaves a carpet dry within minutes. Aside from these reliable features, it includes FlexForce PowerBrushes that can get rid of pet droppings and deeply embedded dirt or stains. With this carpet cleaner, your carpet comes out clean and dry and looking brand new once more.

3. Genesis 950 5 Gallon All Purpose Green Cleaner

You will also need an effective cleaning solution, and the Genesis 950 5 Gallon All Purpose Green Cleaner would be an ideal choice.

Click here to see this cleaner on Amazon.

This cleaner can remove pet odor and stains and is a superb carpet cleaning solution. You can use it for spot cleaning, including your bathroom, flooring, kitchen, and appliances. 

Although it’s concentrated, it’s eco-friendly and safe for your family and pets. You can use this cleaning solution with your vacuum carpet cleaner as well.

See the below video for other tips on getting nail polish out of your carpet:

Other Tips on How to Get Nail Polish Out of the Carpet

  • After eliminating the stain from your carpet, another way of drying the area is to place paper towels above it. The paper towels will absorb the water, allowing the carpet to dry.
  • For dried nail polish, you could also scrape off the nail polish stain with a dull knife or blunt scraper before applying the stain remover.
  • You can get rid of the odor of the nail polish by spraying the area with the scent that you love. However, do this only after you have completely removed the stain.
  • When choosing cleaning solutions, choose an all-purpose one – it’s a solution that you can use in all areas of your house. Using an all-purpose cleaner would save you hundreds of dollars every year.
  • Invest in a good carpet cleaner. You may need a reliable carpet cleaner to ensure that all nail polish stains are removed, along with other embedded stains from pets, dirt, and grime.
  • Follow instructions correctly when using nail polish removers and cleaning solutions. Too much of these solutions could damage your carpet.
  • Don’t use a colored cloth to blot stained areas to avoid adding more stain or color. Use a white-colored cloth, hand towel, or paper towel instead.
how to remove nail polish on carpet
  • Keep yourself safe by wearing protective gloves when removing nail polish stains or other types of stains on your carpet or other areas in your house.
  • If you don’t know the material of your carpet, you may want to consult an expert before using any of the cleaning solutions.
  • On the other hand, you can always perform a ‘patch test’ to find out if the nail polish remover that you have chosen does not change the color of your carpet. You can do this by using a cotton swab dipped in the cleaning solution and then dabbing it to a small and inconspicuous area of the carpet. Let it stay for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Observe if there is any staining or discoloration in the area. If discoloration or staining occurs, discontinue the use of the cleaning solution.
  • You could also dry the carpet by using a fan after wiping off any excess liquid. Point the fan directly to the area to dry it thoroughly.
  • Avoid using hydrogen peroxide on dark-colored carpets as it can discolor it. That’s why the ‘patch test’ is important when cleaning stained carpets. You would not know for sure how your carpet reacts to the cleaning solution unless you test the carpet beforehand.
  • A vacuum cleaner is an option you may not want to use. As long as you’re patient in carefully eliminating the nail polish using your hands and the cleaning solutions – you could remove the stain from your carpet effectively.

Conclusion – How to Get Nail Polish Out of Carpet

So to revisit our initial question, how to get nail polish out of carpet? To get nail polish out of the carpet, try one of these 6 easy methods:

  1. Nail Polish Remover
  2. Vinegar
  3. Rubbing Alcohol
  4. Vinegar-Alcohol Solution
  5. Baking Soda and Ginger Ale
  6. Hairspray

Nail polish remover is specifically formulated for removing nail polish, so it is generally the best method. Use a non-oily nail polish remover, along with a clean white cloth or paper towel to blot or wipe the stain from your carpet.

If you don’t have nail polish remover, you can use one of the other liquid treatments, including vinegar, rubbing alcohol, a vinegar-alcohol solution, baking soda, and ginger ale, or even hairspray.

Blot the nail polish stain until it comes off. Take care not to damage your carpet by using the remover sparingly. Afterward, use a solution of warm water and liquid dishwashing soap to rub the remaining nail polish stain from the carpet.

You can then rinse with warm water or use a carpet cleaning solution, such as the Genesis 950 All Purpose Green Cleaner (mentioned above). Finish removing the debris left by the stain with a reliable carpet cleaner, such as the Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner Vacuum (also mentioned above).

You have the option to manually get rid of the stain instead of using a vacuum cleaner. It’s your choice. Just make sure that it won’t damage your carpet.

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