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How to Clean Fingernail Polish From Carpet

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(52 Ratings)

Fingernail polish landing on the carpet rather than on your nails might seem like a manicure disaster. But before you start cutting out the stain with your cuticle scissors, try this simple homespun solution.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Pour dry cleaning fluid over the stain.

  2. Step 2

    Blot with a dry, white cloth.

  3. Step 3

    Apply a small amount of mild liquid detergent to the stain.

  4. Step 4

    Blot again with the cloth.

  5. Step 5

    Flood the stain with water.

  6. Step 6

    Blot again with the cloth.

  7. Step 7

    Pour a small amount of ammonia on the stain.

  8. Step 8

    Blot again.

  9. Step 9

    Apply a little more liquid detergent to the stain.

  10. Step 10

    Blot again.

  11. Step 11

    Flood the area with water.

  12. Step 12

    Blot one last time.

Tips & Warnings
  • Dry cleaning fluid can be purchased at a home supply store or a dry cleaners.
  • Always test the cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous area of the carpet before applying them to a large area.
  • Use a white cloth rather than a colored one to prevent any dyes from coming off on the carpet.
  • As you blot, keep turning the cloth so that you are using a clean, dry section to pick up the stain and the cleaning fluids from the carpet. Don't rub.
  • If using a brush to help clean the stain, always brush from the outer edges of the spill inward to prevent the stain from spreading.
  • Do not use nail-polish remover as it may bleach the carpet.

Comments  

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on 6/26/2009 ok last night i got to play clod and spilled hot pink OPI fingernail polish all over my light beige (frizee not plush) carpet. I tried the windex and let you all know it did stain my carpet blue so don't use it on light colored carpets!! I went and purchase 100% acetone from Walmart in the nail section and it worked and it was dried. So don't panic if you spill let it dry and buy 100% acetone....my section of carpet that i had to clean was 4 feet long....ugh. Now my only hope is that it won't cause the carpet to delaminate. blessings, aim

payless70 said

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on 1/26/2009 The professionals at Payless Carpet Cleaners provide information and tips in regards to removing stains from carpets. Refer to http://www.payless-carpet-cleaners.com or if located in the South Florida region contact by telephone at (305)503-5868 or (954)671-1050.

ByronBay said

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on 12/10/2008 My 4 year old son got a hold of my 14 year old daughter's Black nail polish this morning (Which I didn't know she had!!)and has put a number of spots on my partners medium chocolate coloured new carpet. I had no products to get it up and am now at work. I googled before I left his house on how to get the stains out. The stains are just sitting there until I get home. On my way to work I went to the chemist and got Non Actone nail polish remover, hair spray and rubbing alcohol. Then I went to the hardware store (Mitre 10) and all they could give me was straight actone. No ink or stain removers, unbelieveable. I took in what I had printed off the internet and asked for Motsenbocker's Lift Off #3 and some other products that were on there but they just looked at me like I was from another planet!!!.. I hope to god that something works before my partner see's it.. After sitting and dryng out

ByronBay said

Flag This Comment

on 12/10/2008 My 4 year old son got a hold of my 14 year old daughter's Black nail polish this morning (Which I didn't know she had!!)and has put a number of spots on my partners medium chocolate coloured new carpet. I had no products to get it up and am now at work. I googled before I left his house on how to get the stains out. The stains are just sitting there until I get home. On my way to work I went to the chemist and got Non Actone nail polish remover, hair spray and rubbing alcohol. Then I went to the hardware store (Mitre 10) and all they could give me was straight actone. No ink or stain removers, unbelieveable. I took in what I had printed off the internet and asked for Motsenbocker's Lift Off #3 and some other products that were on there but they just looked at me like I was from another planet!!!.. I hope to god that something works before my partner see's it.. After sitting and dryng out

jen204 said

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on 11/17/2008 I just spilled dark purple nail polish on my roommates light tan-ish carpet and i tried a little amount of acetone but it just lightened the stains up. Then I figured shout would work. So I used what I thought was shout but was actually clorox toilet bowl cleaner with bleach haha! But the stains came right up with just a little scrubbing. I was so happy!

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