How to Get Nail Polish Out of Carpet

It happens in a split second. The bottle tips, the brush flips or the toddler finds the bottle of Ballet Slipper Pink you thought was hidden. And now there's a perfect little puddle of polish on the carpet, the couch or your favorite jeans.

Don't panic, and definitely don't rub. Nail polish stains come out more often than you'd think, if you act fast and have a little patience. Here's how to get nail polish out of carpet, upholstery and clothes, whether it's wet or already dry.

First: Don't Make It Worse

• Don't rub. Rubbing spreads wet polish into a bigger stain and pushes it deeper into the fibers.
• Don't pour remover on the stain. Too much solvent can soak through to the carpet pad or damage the backing.
• Test before you treat. Dab a little remover on a hidden spot (inside a closet, under the couch) and blot with a white cloth. If the carpet color comes off or the fibers get sticky, don't use it.

Acetone warning: Regular nail polish remover often contains acetone, which dissolves acetate, triacetate and modacrylic fibers. It can also damage some carpet dyes and backing. Test first, and if the label says acetate or you're not sure, use non-acetone remover, rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits instead.

How to Get Wet Nail Polish Out of Carpet

1. Blot up as much as you can, fast. Use a paper towel or white cloth, and lift, don't rub. Scoop up any thick blobs with a spoon.
2. Dab on remover. Put a little nail polish remover (or rubbing alcohol) on a white cloth or cotton ball, not on the carpet.
3. Blot from the outside in. Working toward the center keeps the stain from spreading. Switch to a clean part of the cloth as the polish transfers.
4. Keep going. Repeat until no more color comes up on the cloth.
5. Wash out the solvent. Mix 1 teaspoon of mild dish soap in 1 cup of warm water. Blot it onto the spot with a clean cloth to remove the remover.
6. Rinse. Blot with a cloth dipped in cool water until no more suds come up. Leftover soap attracts dirt.
7. Dry. Press a dry towel on the spot, and set something heavy on it for an hour. Then fluff the fibers with your fingers.

How to Get Dried Nail Polish Out of Carpet

1. Scrape off what you can. Gently chip away hardened polish from the top of the fibers with a butter knife or the edge of an old credit card. Vacuum up the flakes.
2. Soften it. Dab the stain with remover or mineral spirits on a cloth, and let it sit for a minute or two to soften the polish.
3. Blot and repeat, from the outside in, until it lifts. Dried polish takes more rounds than wet. Be patient.
4. Wash, rinse and dry, as above.

Still See a Shadow?

On white or light-colored carpet, dab the leftover color with 3% hydrogen peroxide on a white cloth. Let it sit for a few minutes, blot and repeat. Test first, because peroxide can lighten carpet dye. Then rinse with a damp cloth.

A polish stain can be removed if you take the time to get it all out of the fibers. That often means try, try, try again. Keep at it for several rounds. You'll be glad you did. If it still won't budge, call a professional carpet cleaner. Here's how to choose one: hiring a carpet cleaning service.

How to Get Nail Polish Off a Couch

Check the cleaning code on the couch's tag before you use any solvent:

• S or W/S: Solvent-safe. Blot with a little non-acetone remover or rubbing alcohol on a white cloth, then follow the carpet steps above. Test a hidden spot first.
• W: Water-based cleaners only. Blot up what you can, then try a little dish soap and water. Test any solvent on a hidden spot first.
• X: Don't treat it yourself. Blot up what you can and call a professional upholstery cleaner.

Here's what each code means: Upholstery Cleaning Codes.

Leather couch? Don't use remover. It strips the finish. Let the polish dry, then gently lift it off with a fingernail or plastic card. Call a leather specialist for anything that's left. More on how to clean leather.

How to Get Nail Polish Out of Clothes

1. Check the label. Never use acetone on acetate, triacetate or modacrylic. It will melt a hole right through the fabric. Use non-acetone remover instead, or take it to the dry cleaner.
2. Scrape off the excess, and let wet polish dry first if it's thick.
3. Lay the stain face down on a stack of paper towels.
4. Dab the back of the stain with remover on a cotton ball, so the polish pushes out onto the paper towels. Move to a clean spot on the towels as you go.
5. Pretreat with liquid detergent, then wash in the warmest water the care label allows.
6. Check before drying. If any color is left, repeat. The dryer sets stains for good.

More help in my guide to how to remove stains from clothes.

Wood Floors and Furniture: No Remover!

Nail polish remover dissolves wood finishes, so a little puddle of polish can turn into a big dull spot in the varnish. Instead:

• Wet polish: Blot up as much as you can without rubbing.
• Dried polish: Let it dry completely, then gently lift it off with a plastic scraper or old credit card. Use a hair dryer on low to soften stubborn bits first.
• For a leftover stain, very lightly buff with a little non-acetone remover on a cotton swab, test first and stop immediately if the finish softens.

Tile, Countertops and Other Hard Surfaces

On ceramic tile, porcelain and glass, nail polish remover wipes it right up. On granite, marble and other natural stone, skip the remover. Let the polish dry and gently scrape it off with a plastic scraper. Here's more on cleaning marble.

Prevention: Polish Like a Pro

Paint your nails at a table, not on the couch or the bed. Put down an old towel and set the bottle on a flat, steady surface (or a silicone mat). And keep polish up high where little hands can't reach it.

Nail Polish Stains: Quick Answers

Does nail polish remover stain carpet?

It can. Acetone can lift some carpet dyes and damage acetate fibers and backing. Always test on a hidden spot first, and use as little as possible.

How do you get dried nail polish out of carpet?

Scrape off the hardened polish, soften what's left with a little remover or mineral spirits on a cloth, blot from the outside in, then rinse with dish soap and water.

What can I use instead of acetone?

Non-acetone remover, rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits. They're gentler on fibers and finishes but may take a few more rounds.

How do you get nail polish off a wood floor?

Don't use remover, which dissolves the finish. Let the polish dry, then gently lift it off with a plastic scraper or credit card.

Keep Going

Clean up the rest of life's little spills with these related guides:

• How to Remove Carpet Stains: An A-to-Z guide to every spill.
• How to Clean a Couch: Step-by-step for fabric sofas.
• Upholstery Cleaning Codes: What W, S, W/S and X really mean.
• How to Remove Stains From Clothes: An A-to-Z stain guide.
• Spa Sleepover Games: Where nail polish spills are born.
• How to Deep Clean Carpet at Home: Without making things worse.
• How to Clean Leather: Couches, jackets, shoes and suede.
• Hiring a Carpet Cleaning Service: How to find a good one.