Here's How to Get Nail Polish out of Your Carpet
"Save money on a mani-pedi," they said! "Painting your own nails is easy," they said! And yet... here we are: You've done the unimaginable and spilled a bold shade of nail polish on the carpet or—even worse—one of your treasured rugs. Whether you have a runner on vintage wood floors, plush carpet perfect for lounging, or durable pet-friendly fabrics on your floors, it's imperative that you act quickly and carefully when a stain tragedy strikes. While your typical cleaning methods may not be up for the challenge, following this nail polish-emergency protocol can help lessen the impact of your at-home salon adventures.
Help! What do I do first?
Don't panic. Gently blot away any excess nail polish with a paper towel, taking extra care not to smudge the existing stain or spread the polish to a larger area. If the polish has already dried, use a butter knife or other gentle tool to scrape the hardened polish away. When you’ve attempted to triage as best you can, it's time to bring in the cleaning solutions.
Can you use vinegar or baking soda to remove nail polish?
Trusty pantry staples like vinegar and baking soda have been known to help in these cases. If you're giving vinegar a try, wet the stained area thoroughly with plain vinegar, and then place a vinegar-soaked paper towel on top of the area. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then gently blot and scrub the stain until it is removed.
If you're attempting the baking soda method, sprinkle enough baking soda on the area to cover the stain thoroughly. Then, pour ginger ale on top of the area and let it soak for about 10 minutes. Scrub gently until the stain is removed, and then "rinse" the area with water or a wet cloth.
Household cleaners like Goo Gone and Windex have also been known to help, but make sure to test them out in a small, out-of-the-way area to assess how they will affect the specific material of your rug or carpet.
Can I use nail polish remover to clean the carpet?
The short answer is yes, but before you break out the Cutex and cotton balls, you’ll want to follow a few extra guidelines to achieve the best results. First, no matter which cleaning method you choose, be sure to test it out on a small, hidden corner of the carpet or rug. If the rug becomes discolored or you notice the rug’s coloring rubbing off on the cleaning cloth, switch up your solution selection.
A small amount of nail polish remover can be very effective, especially on white or light carpets, but make sure the bottle you use is labeled both non-acetone and dye-free. Soak a portion of a cleaning cloth or paper towel with the remover, then gently dab the stain, taking care not to smear the stain to previously-untouched areas. Repeat until you see an improvement. (Psst: Act fast! Polish remover works best on fresh stains that have not yet dried completely.)
If your carpet is darker, use even more caution, as sometimes nail polish remover can alter darker rug dyes more dramatically than white or neutral shades. If you're worried about unwanted marks, opt for an alternate cleaning solution, like rubbing alcohol, hairspray, or dish soap.
Wait—did you say hairspray?
You heard right, but bear in mind this solution works best on already-dried stains. Wet the area with cold water, then spray about 10 to 15 pumps of hairspray on the stain. Add a small amount of rubbing alcohol (about three tiny splashes, or more depending on the size of the stain). Use a brush or cleaning tool to scrub the area while adding more splashes of cold water as you scrub.
What about dish soap?
A diluted solution of a small amount of dish soap mixed with warm water (aim for very few suds) can also help in desperate times, but is most effective when combined with one of the solutions mentioned above. For example, after dabbing the nail polish away with remover, use the dish soap solution to clean the area and counteract the remover's strong scent.
And if all else fails?
It's time to call in the professionals. Should you choose to let your local carpet cleaning service take the reins, let them know in advance about the nail polish stain, as they'll likely employ specific methods to clean the spot.
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