How to remove nail polish from a carpet at home: effective stain removal products and methods

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Author of the article

Svetlana Pavlikhina

Reading time: 8 minutes

It is easier to remove nail polish from carpet when it has not yet dried. Old stains require more effort. For cleaning, special store-bought chemicals or traditional methods, as well as acetone and gasoline, are used.

Removing stains

Cleaning a carpet is not an easy task. The varnish penetrates into the pile, making it ugly and hard. You cannot cut off the damaged area, as this will spoil the appearance of the product.

Fresh stain

As soon as varnish is spilled on the rug, it must be removed immediately.

Procedure at home:

Quickly spray the contaminated area with cold water.
Using a sharp object, carefully scrape off the varnish without damaging the lint.
Blot the stain with a damp cloth.
If necessary, use nail polish remover without acetone.

To clean colored carpet, you need to choose products that do not contain harsh chemicals. This is necessary in order to preserve the shades.

Features of removing old stains

Varnish that has just spilled is much easier to remove than dry varnish. An old stain requires more effort and the use of aggressive products.

Cleaning a carpet with old stains:

It is necessary to moisten the contaminated area very well. Cold water acts on the varnish, softening its structure.
Scrape with a knife or a stiff brush.
Apply alcohol, stain remover or other product.
Leave for 3-5 minutes.
Rub again with a brush.
Repeat the procedure until the stain is removed.
Rinse the pile with clean water.
Dry.

After washing the carpet, it is necessary to ventilate the room.

Home Remedies

To remove nail polish stains, use cleansers and detergents that are found in every home. It is not recommended to use bleaches for colored piles.

What improvised means can be used to clean nail polish:

household chemicals;
dishwashing detergents;
nail polish remover;
hydrogen peroxide;
alcohol;
Polish for hair;
stain remover

After removing the dirt, it is necessary to rinse the pile and vacuum it. This will return the carpet to its original appearance.

Household chemicals

A carpet cleaner will help remove stains. Active foam, which is formed during washing, penetrates the fibers of the pile and cleans it.

Household chemicals remove fresh stains the first time. It is enough to apply a little foamy liquid on a sponge and wipe the dirty area.

Dishwashing detergent can remove the varnish. It removes dirt without damaging the fibers.

Nail polish remover

Choose a product without acetone, as it corrodes the paint and spoils the pile. Before use, it is worth conducting a test on an inconspicuous area of the carpet.

How to use:

The product is applied to a cotton pad, applied to the contaminated area and wait for 60 seconds.
Wipe the carpet with a damp cloth.
If necessary, repeat the procedure until complete cleansing.

Hydrogen peroxide

The product is excellent for cleaning white carpet. It is easy to buy at the pharmacy. Hydrogen peroxide is not used for colored or dark hair.

Alcohol and hairspray

Hairspray and alcohol help effectively deal with fresh stains. When cleaning old stains, it is more difficult to achieve the desired result.

How to use:

The carpet is moistened with clean water.
Spray hairspray liberally.
Pour a few drops of alcohol.
After 2-3 minutes, clean the stain with a brush.

The process is repeated until the carpet is completely clean.

Stain remover

There are stain removers for any type of paint. They work great with nail polish. You can purchase the product in the household chemicals department.

How to use:

Apply the product to the stain and wait time according to the instructions.
Wipe with a cloth.
Rinse with water.
Dry.

Stain removers do not damage the material or affect the color of the carpet.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide has a whitening effect, so it can only be used on light-colored surfaces. To achieve a high-quality result, you will need to prepare a solution by mixing peroxide with water in a 1:1 ratio. The resulting mixture is generously moistened to the area of contamination. The carpet is placed in direct sunlight. Once the coating dries, there will be no trace left of the stain.

If it is not possible to expose the carpet to the sun, then carefully wipe the contaminated area with a rag soaked in peroxide. Traces of varnish will disappear with prolonged exposure.

Aggressive means

If nothing else is at hand, then a solvent or acetone is used to remove stains on the carpet. Aggressive agents affect the paint of the pile, so they are used for white and light shades.

How to use:

Moisten the varnish stain with water.
Apply a small amount of solvent, acetone.
Wait about 60 seconds.
Clean with a brush.
Wipe with a clean dry cloth.

All manipulations are carried out with gloves so as not to damage the skin of the hands. After cleaning, the carpet must be vacuumed.

Professional carpet cleaning products

Special solutions for carpets penetrate deep into the pile. They are available in liquid or dry powder form.

The peculiarity of such products is that they clean any stains without damaging the carpet. Selected according to the quality of the pile and the type of coating.

Unlike household household chemicals, special products are designed for cleaning carpets. They do not damage the material and have a high degree of purification.

How to remove a fresh stain

You can quickly remove dirty marks before they dry out:

Use a cotton swab to remove as much liquid as possible;
use a toothpick to remove lumps stuck in the deep fibers of the fabric;
If possible, the product should be turned inside out, a napkin should be placed under the stain and treated with the chosen product.

Cleaning Rules

Following the rules for removing stains from carpet will help maintain the color and quality of the material. The product is always selected depending on the naturalness of the pile, its color and length.

Basic Rules:

Before using the product, you should test it on an inconspicuous area.
Isolate pets to prevent them from getting poisoned.
Ventilate the room well.
Fresh varnish stains are removed better.
Woolen items should not be overly wet.
To clean expensive carpets, they resort to dry cleaning services.

Checking the reaction to the cleaning agent

In order to check the effect of the detergent, you need to:

Apply a small amount to an inconspicuous area.
Wait 5 minutes.
Rinse off.

If the color of the pile has not changed, then you can safely start cleaning.

What not to do

Often, when removing varnish stains, the carpet deteriorates. It loses its brightness and abrasions appear.

What not to do:

cut off the varnish;
apply acetone and solvent on colored pile;
rub with iron sponges;
dry with a hairdryer and on a radiator.

To preserve the beauty and softness of the carpet, you need to carefully clean contaminated areas.

Dry cleaning at home: how to remove nail polish from different surfaces

Let's figure out how to remove varnish from clothes, furniture and floors.

Those little bottles of nail polish can cause a lot of trouble. The combination of pigments, hardeners and solvents is a recipe for potential disaster, comparable to paint stains. But if you know the tips from the experts, you can remove nail polish from almost any surface, from clothing to carpet and furniture.

“The first thing to do is remove as much of the excess as possible,” explained John Mahdessian, president of Madame Paulette, a professional cleaning and restoration service in New York City. “Do this with a Q-tip.” Working with this “tool” will not allow the varnish to spread and the stain to grow.

How to remove varnish from carpet

Where does nail polish most often end up? Of course, on the floor. And if you've ever spilled paint on your carpet - or (horror) knocked over a bottle - you know the panic that sets in when you don't know how to remove a stain. “I would recommend treating the stain with rubbing alcohol or dry cleaning solvent,” said Jennifer Ahony, senior research scientist at Tide.

What will you need?

ALAINA DIGIACOMO / RD.COM

Spoon or spatula
Medical alcohol
Solvent for dry cleaning
White cloth or paper towel
Towel

Step-by-step instruction

Step 1: Before you begin, take a look at the contents of your carpet to ensure that the products used are safe for the carpet. “If the carpet material contains acetate, triacetate or modacrylic, do not use solvent,” Ahoni advised. “Seek professional help instead.”

Step 2: If your carpet does not contain the ingredients listed, your next task is to ensure that the stain remover you use will not cause discoloration. To do this, soak a white cloth or paper towel in solvent and test the color fastness on an inconspicuous area of the carpet. If the towel remains clean, everything is fine.

Step 3: Gently remove excess nail polish with a paper towel, spoon or spatula. "Don't rub the stain into the fabric," says Ahoni, "you'll only make the stain larger."

Step 4: Add dry cleaning solvent or alcohol to a piece of cloth or paper towel, or in particularly severe cases, directly to the stain.

Step 5: "Gently blot the stain with a cloth or paper towel and begin using circular motions from the outside in to prevent the stain from spreading," Ahony advised. As you touch the stain, the nail polish will transfer from the carpet to the fabric.

Step 6: Repeat until the stain disappears. If the fabric begins to dry, add more solvent. When finished, run warm water over the stain to remove excess solvent and dry with a towel.

Can I use hairspray?

Hairspray can also help combat nail polish without bleaching the carpet or changing the color of the fabric, maids say. Spray it onto the stain, let it dry, and then scrape off the residue. Hairspray works well on hard surfaces - tile and hardwood - as well as any stains that have already dried.

What about hydrogen peroxide?

You can also use hydrogen peroxide, but do a "test" first to make sure it won't change the color of your carpet.

How about nail polish remover?

“Yes, you can use nail polish remover to get rid of stubborn stains,” says Ahoni. – Make sure the product is acetone based as some liquids may leave an oily residue. And don’t forget to check for dyes inside – they can stain your carpet.”

What if you clean the floor with vinegar?

Vinegar is often used as a household cleaner. Yes, it really can remove stains, but in our case it is not the best solution. “Vinegar is much gentler and safer to use on almost any surface in the house when cleaning, but it is unlikely to remove nail polish, especially if it has dried,” explained Jenny Varney, brand manager at Molly Maid.

How to remove nail polish from clothes

1Gai.Ru / EMMA KUMER / RD.COM

Accidentally dropped varnish on your clothes? Start by pre-treating the stain. But don't reach for regular stain remover! Ahoni recommends using a pre-treatment product such as carpet ammonia or dry cleaning solvent. Yes, these are aggressive products, but this is exactly what is needed for this type of stain.

What will you need?

Cotton pad or spoon
Dry cleaning solvent
Ammonia
Washing powder

How to Remove Nail Polish from Washable Clothes

Step 1: Always check the fabric label before attempting to remove stains. If the material contains acetate, triacetate or modacrylic (or delicate/dry clean only fabric such as satin or silk), do not attempt to pre-treat it with solvents or nail polish remover. “Take your clothes to the dry cleaner as soon as possible,” Ahoni advised.

Step 2: Before using your chosen stain remover, test it on a piece of fabric. Dampen a white rag or paper towel with solvent and test the color fastness of the fabric in an inconspicuous area. If the towel remains clean, everything is fine.

Step 3. Do not rub the stain: this will cause the polish to spread through the fibers of the clothing. Gently remove excess with a cotton pad or scrape it off with a spoon.

Step 4: Dampen a cloth with solvent or rubbing alcohol. If the stain is large, apply the liquid directly to it.

Step 5: Blot the stain with a cloth and begin using circular motions from the outside in to prevent the stain from spreading.

Step 6: Once you've completed these steps, you can move on to machine washing using a high-quality detergent. To remove very stubborn dried or dark nail polish stains, try pre-soaking clothing in a mixture of water and one tablespoon of detergent. Mix water and detergent in a large bucket, place the clothes in it and leave for at least 20 minutes. Better yet, overnight (depending on the degree of complexity of the stain).

Step 7. Wash the item at the highest temperature allowed for the fabric.

If the stain remains, repeat steps 4 to 7. Do not dry the item until the stain disappears.

How to Remove Varnish from Delicate Fabrics

If nail polish gets on delicate fabrics like satin, silk or wool, people really get nervous. No need, because the stain can still be removed. (By the way, like makeup stains). “For delicate items, do not use nail polish remover or other solvent,” says Ahoni. – The safest option is a consultation with a professional dry cleaner.

If you want to try removing the stain at home, be sure to check the fabric care label.” If it says "dry cleaning" - as a rule, this is a common recommendation. “Dry clean only” means that the clothes must be handled very, very carefully and the safest thing to do is take them to a professional.” Still want to try it at home? Follow the instructions below.

Step-by-step instruction

Step 1: “Scrub the stain with cool water and a diluted solution of mild, delicate detergent,” suggests Ahoni. “Test the solution on an inconspicuous part of the clothing, and if there is no negative reaction, blot the stain with the solution before soaking.” Be careful when spot finishing silk, as working too hard on one spot can lighten the fabric.

Step 2: Most silk items are best washed by hand. Use a detergent formulated for delicate fabrics.

Machine washable silk and wool items should be washed on a gentle cycle using a detergent suitable for the fabric.

Step 4: If the stain remains, repeat the above steps or contact a professional immediately.

How to remove dried nail polish from clothes

This kind of varnish is much more difficult to remove. “So if you spill something, act quickly,” Varney advised. However, if you can't do laundry, "use the same recommendations for treating a dried stain as you would for wet varnish," says Ahoni.

Step-by-step instruction

Step 1: First, take a plastic spatula and carefully scrape off the varnish. (Be careful not to damage the fabric.)

Step 2: Check the fabric content label. If the material contains acetate, triacetate or modacrylic (or delicate/dry clean only fabric such as satin or silk), do not attempt to pre-treat it with solvents or nail polish remover, but take the garment to the dry cleaner as soon as possible.

Step 3: If you are using solvent, check the color fastness. Soak a paper towel in the solvent and blot an inconspicuous area of clothing. If the towel remains clean, treat the stain.

Just don't rub! Otherwise, the varnish will “spread” along the fibers of the fabric.

Step 4: Blot the stain with a cloth soaked in solvent and begin using circular motions from the outside in to prevent the stain from spreading.

Step 5. Now it's time for a washing machine and a good detergent. To remove very stubborn stains, try presoaking clothes in water mixed with one tablespoon of detergent.

Wash at the warmest temperature allowed for the fabric.

How to remove varnish from a sofa or upholstery

“I would recommend treating these stains by following the carpet stain removal instructions,” Ahoni said. If it's more convenient for you, you can use nail polish remover, but don't forget to check the fabric for color fastness first.

What you will need

Spoon, spatula or paper towel
Medical alcohol
Dry cleaning solvent
Acetone based nail polish remover
Towel

Step-by-step instruction

Step 1: Check the composition of the upholstery before attempting to remove any stains. If the material contains acetate, triacetate or modacrylic, do not use solvent. Instead, contact a professional.

Step 2: If you are using a stain remover, test the color fastness on an inconspicuous part of the soft fabric. If there is no color left on the towel, you can safely treat the stain.

Step 3. Remove excess polish with a paper towel, spoon or spatula. Do not rub the stain into the fabric - you will only increase its size.

Step 4: Dampen a rag or towel with solvent. If the stain is really large and stubborn, apply the solvent directly to it.

Step 5: Begin blotting the stain with a cloth or paper towel soaked in solvent, using a circular motion from outside to inside to prevent the stain from spreading.

Step 6: Repeat until the stain disappears. When you're done, run warm water over the stain to remove excess solvent, then dry it with a towel.

There is another way to remove varnish from upholstery. “Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of cool water,” Varney said. “Using a clean white cloth, wipe the stain with the detergent solution, then blot until the liquid is absorbed.” Repeat these steps until the stain disappears. Then blot it with a sponge dipped in cold water - it will prevent the stain from hardening if it remains.

How to remove varnish from the floor

Hardwood

Parquet floors are quite easy to maintain.

If the nail polish is still wet, wipe it off with a paper towel as soon as possible. “Use a cotton pad soaked in acetone to remove residue,” Varney advised. “We recommend rinsing the area immediately; acetone left on the surface is corrosive and can damage the finish of a hard surface.”

If your nail polish is dry, Varney suggests using a plastic scraper. "If that doesn't work, try dabbing the area with acetone until the varnish breaks down so it can be wiped off," Varney said. “Again, be sure to rinse the area of the floor where the acetone was applied.”

Tile

“For dried polish on ceramic or porcelain floors, I would recommend using the Magic Eraser,” said Morgan Brashear, the brand's senior research scientist. “But first, test it on a small, inconspicuous area so you don’t accidentally remove the glossy surface or topcoat from the floor. Then follow these steps:

Step 1: Wet the eraser by placing it in a container of water or under the tap. Squeeze it in your palms several times, still holding it under the running water. Water activates the Magic Eraser, which helps you clean surfaces with minimal effort.

Step 2: Squeeze out the eraser and remove excess water.

Step 3: Starting with light pressure, run the eraser across the surface to remove the stain.

Be careful not to press too hard on the eraser as it can be quite harsh on some surfaces.

Features of cleaning long pile

Long pile carpet is more difficult to maintain. The falling drop immediately spreads, getting inside the material.

How to remove varnish from long pile:

Wet the pile thoroughly with carpet cleaner.
Lather and leave for 5 minutes.
Using a wide-tooth comb, carefully comb the pile from bottom to top to remove the varnish.
Wipe with a clean sponge.
Dry.

If stains are difficult to clean, use a solution of fine salt and 9% vinegar. To obtain the product, dilute 1 tsp in 5 liters of water. each component.

Choosing a method depending on the color of the pile

Short pile carpets are easier to clean with nail polish. You can remove stains at home without the help of professionals.

If the carpet is colored, there is a problem with choosing a cleaning agent, since most options contain acetone and alcohol. In order not to spoil the shade of the pile, it is recommended to choose a gentle method.

How not to clean a colored carpet:

nail polish remover with acetone;
alcohol;
solvent;
some types of stain removers.

Light and white carpet can be cleaned using any means. It is important to test on an inconspicuous area before use.

Alcohol

You cannot remove traces of varnish using detergents. In such situations, you will need the help of improvised substances. If attempts to wipe off marks with acetone, powder or soap did not lead to a positive result, but, on the contrary, smeared the varnish on the carpet even more, then you can use alcohol. Fill the dirty area with alcohol and begin to treat the villi with a sponge. Do not be alarmed if the spot begins to increase in size and darken. Repeating the procedure several times will make it disappear.

Traditional methods

Traditional methods of removing nail polish from carpet are suitable for home use. Before using them, be sure to test the composition in an inconspicuous area.

Traditional methods:

Soda . For 5 liters of cold water you will need 100 g of soda. The solution is applied to the stains and vacuumed after half an hour.
Salt . Moisten the stain with water, pour 1 tbsp onto the stain. l. salt and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse with a sponge and dry.
Ammonia (suitable only for light-colored material) . 1 tbsp. l. alcohol is mixed with 5 liters of water and a small amount of liquid soap. Apply to dirt using a brush, then rinse off.
Vinegar . Works great on old dried varnish. For 1 liter you need to take 2 tbsp. l. vinegar. Handle the carpet with gloves.

Any folk method is good because the necessary safe means are always at hand.

Why is it so difficult to remove?

Nail polish is a product that is designed to decorate women's nails. He has all the qualities for this:

Bright color.
Persistence.
Drying speed.

And if you apply these qualities to a carpet on which there is a bright spot, then the woman is no longer glad that she has such a varnish. It is difficult to remove from carpet and other fabrics, for example: sofa upholstery, clothing.

Note! Many people have an instant answer to the question: how to remove spilled nail polish from a carpet - with nail polish remover. But this option is not always suitable, because the acetone contained in the remover can ruin the carpet even more than the stains.

You can erase it, but it all depends on the complexity of the contamination:

The stain is fresh or dried.
Dimensions and type. After all, the stain can be from spilled varnish, or from nails that did not have time to dry, or splashes.
Like. Fashionable gel polishes are a difficult case, you may have to use dry cleaning services.

The type of carpeting matters. It is easier to remove the stain from the carpet, since there is no lint on it and the colors are not bright. It is more difficult to clean short and medium lint, while long lint is problematic.