Removing Nail Polish from Carpet

Written by Karen Bates (last updated February 15, 2021)

No matter how careful you are when applying nail polish, there is always that chance that, despite your best efforts, it can still end up on your carpet. Even as little as a drop of nail polish can turn into a nightmare when it hits your nice carpet. You might think that the nail polish will never come out of your carpet, and that you'll now have to rearrange your furniture to cover the spot.

But don't start moving things in your living room yet. There are actually some things that can help you to get that stain out of your carpet.

Although nail polish is a tough stain to remove, these methods can help and, in some cases, remove the stain altogether. Give one of these a try if you find yourself with a nail polish accident:

  • Nail Polish Remover. Polish remover is meant to remove nail polish on your nails, and it can work on your carpet, too. Try to use a non-acetone remover since it is less harsh. Soak some of the remover onto a paper towel and rub onto the spot on the carpet. Once it starts to come off, wet a fresh paper towel and continue. Repeat until the stain has been lifted. Wash with some soapy water afterward.
  • Vinegar. If you want to try a more natural approach to getting the stain out, use some vinegar and a paper towel. Lift the stain by rubbing a vinegar-soaked paper towel over the stained area until it comes off.
  • Shaving Cream. Rub some shaving cream into the carpet where the stain is. Let it sit for a minute or two, then scrub. Wash with hot water.
  • Glass Cleaner. As strange as it may sound, glass cleaner may be helpful when cleaning nail polish from your carpet. Spray the cleaner onto the stain and wipe with a paper towel or an old rag. You might need to scrub the spot a lot to remove the stain, but with some effort the spot should fade away.

Even thought it may be scary to see that bright stain on your beautiful carpet, there is hope for removing it. These ideas should help you get the stain out, but if the stain is especially bad and not responding to the cleaning you try, contact a professional carpet cleaner.

Author Bio

Karen Bates

An English student who enjoys writing and art, Karen has had her poetry published in her university's literary journal and has several novels in the works. ...

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