How to Remove Wet Nail Polish From Carpeting

Nail polish is available in a variety of colors.

Painting fingernails or toenails with nail polish allows you to coordinate your mood, style or attire with the particular polish shade. Unfortunately, the liquid polish can easily drip onto carpet and leave difficult-to-remove stains. When dealing with nail polish, it is best to remove it as soon as possible while the polish is still wet. Waiting until the nail polish dries increases the chance of a permanent carpet stain.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Acetone
• Small bowls
• Eyedropper
• White cloths
• 3-percent hydrogen peroxide

Instructions

1. Blot the wet nail polish off the carpet with several paper towels. Replace the soiled paper towels with fresh ones. Continue blotting until you can no longer absorb the nail polish.

2. Pour acetone in a small bowl and suck up the liquid with an eyedropper. Apply the acetone to the nail polish stain. Immediately blot the acetone off the carpet with a white cloth.

3. Continue applying small amounts of the acetone to the nail polish stain and blot with the cloth until the stain is no longer visible. Add dry-cleaning solvent to a clean cloth and blot the acetone off the carpet.

4. Add 3-percent hydrogen peroxide to a small bowl if the nail polish stain remains on the carpet. Fill an eyedropper with the peroxide and apply it to the lingering stain. Immediately blot the peroxide off the carpet with a cloth dampened in cool water.

5. Dry the carpet by patting it with a towel.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster--Nail Polish
• Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension Program: Removing Nail Polish from Fabric and Carpet
• SUNY College at Oneonta; Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal; Janis Stone