How to Get Nail Polish Out of Carpet & Clothes (Easy DIYs)

Published November 2, 2020
Spilled red nail polish on carpet

Get quick tips for how to get nail polish out of carpet using tools you have around the home. Explore quick and easy ways for how to remove nail polish from clothes, fabrics, and furniture with simple tools like hairspray.

How to Get Nail Polish Out of Carpet

Were you and the kiddos painting your digits in the living room when you had a catastrophe? Now you have a fresh nail polish spill all over the carpet. While having a mild panic attack is normal, it's essential to act fast before it dries. To get nail polish out of your carpet grab:

  • Nail polish remover

  • Rubbing alcohol

  • Toothbrush

  • Dish soap (Dawn recommended)

  • White vinegar

  • Baking soda

  • WD40

  • Hairspray

  • Cloth

  • Wet/dry vac or towel

  • Scraper (butter knife, spoon, etc.)

  • Ginger ale

  • Sponge

Steps to Getting Wet Nail Polish Out of the Carpet

For a fresh nail polish spill, you can reach for the hairspray and nail polish remover. However, for colored carpets, you want to test an indiscrete area just to test colorfastness.

  1. Wet a cloth with ice-cold water and blot up as much nail polish as possible.

  2. Grab the hairspray and spray it all over the nail polish.

  3. Add a splash or two of rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover to the stain.

  4. Use a toothbrush to scrub in small circles.

  5. Blot at the stain with a dry cloth.

  6. Continue to scrub and blot until the stain is gone.

  7. Use a wet/dry vac or towel soak up as much excess liquid as possible.

Getting Nail Polish Out of Carpet With Vinegar

Since acetone can have bleaching qualities for some carpets, you don't want to use it for certain colored carpets. In this case, try vinegar.

  1. Soak the stain with white vinegar.

  2. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

  3. Use the toothbrush to scrub gently.

  4. Blot with the clean cloth until all the stain is gone.

How to Get Nail Polish Out of Carpet With Baking Soda

If vinegar and acetone aren't an option, reach for baking soda and ginger ale.

  1. Cover the nail polish in baking soda.

  2. Soak the baking soda in ginger ale.

  3. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

  4. Scrub with the toothbrush for a minute or so.

  5. In cold water, add a few drops of soap.

  6. Dip a cloth in the soapy water.

  7. Scrub the stain.

  8. Use a clean wet cloth to rinse the area.

  9. Repeat until the stain is gone.

    Eco-friendly natural cleaners made of lemon and baking soda

Will WD40 Get Nail Polish Out of Carpet?

If all else has failed you, then it's time to bring out the big guns. Grab a bit of WD40.

  1. Spray WD40 on the stain.

  2. Blot the stain with a cloth.

  3. Repeat until gone.

Getting Dry Nail Polish Out of Carpet

Not all nail polish stains you find in your carpet are fresh. Nope. Sometimes, you did not see the spill, or it was hidden.

  1. Wet a sponge with soapy warm water and set the nail polish stain.

  2. Cover the nail polish with rubbing alcohol.

  3. Scrub with the toothbrush.

  4. Use the sponge to soak up more stain.

  5. Repeat until the stain is gone.

    Removing nail polish stain with special chemical liquid

How to Get Nail Polish Out of Clothes and Fabric

Removing nail polish from your favorite shirt uses a lot of the same ingredients as you use for getting nail polish off your carpet. However, different fabrics require a different hand. So you need to be careful removing nail polish from your jeans and couch. For these methods, you need:

  • Rubbing alcohol or non-acetone nail polish remover

  • Hairspray

  • Dry cleaning solvent

  • Hydrogen peroxide

  • Cotton swabs

  • White cloth

  • Dish soap

    Green nail polish on white foam

How to Remove Nail Polish From Colored Clothes

This rubbing alcohol method works for colored clothes made of durable materials like cotton and polyester. However, for delicate fibers like silk, wool, and other delicate materials, you need to take it to a professional dry cleaner.

  1. Run cold water on the back of the stain to push it forward.

  2. Put rubbing alcohol or non-acetone nail polish remover on a cloth.

  3. Dab at the stain.

  4. When most of the stain is gone, run water over the back of the stain again.

  5. Add a drop of Dawn to the stain.

  6. Work it in with your fingers.

  7. Rinse and launder as normal.

  8. Hang the fabric to dry to ensure no more stain is visible.

How to Get Nail Polish Out of Clothes With Hairspray

If you are looking to remove the stain without remover or rubbing alcohol, then you can try the hairspray method.

  1. Spray down the stain with hairspray.

  2. Allow it to dry.

  3. Pick off with your nail.

  4. Add a few drops of Dawn.

  5. Work it around with your fingers to remove any lingering stain.

  6. Rinse and launder.

Getting Nail Polish Out of Clothes With Hydrogen Peroxide

For white clothing, you can try soaking the stain in hydrogen peroxide.

  1. Fill a container with hydrogen peroxide.

  2. Soak the stain in the hydrogen peroxide until the stain disappears.

  3. Launder as normal.

Getting Dry Nail Polish Out of Clothes

Like with your carpet, dry nail polish on your clothing or fabrics is a whole different beast to tame.

  1. Pick off as much of the dried nail polish as possible.

  2. Wet a cotton swab with nail polish remover or alcohol. (Do not over wet the cotton ball.)

  3. Blot at the dry stain from the outside to the inside of the stain.

  4. Continue with a fresh cotton swab until all the stain is gone.

  5. Use a few drops of Dawn and your fingers to work out the last of the stain.

  6. Launder as normal and hang to dry.

How to Get Nail Polish Out of Clothing and Carpets

Nail polish looks great on your nails but not so great on your carpet. Use these quick and easy tips to get those nail polish stains out of your carpet and fabrics.

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How to Get Nail Polish Out of Carpet & Clothes (Easy DIYs)