Easily Remove Nail Polish Stains From Your Carpet With A Common Household Staple

Anyone who enjoys DIY manicures knows the pain of getting nail polish on a favorite shirt or pair of pants, but nothing strikes fear into the heart of homeowners more than a nail polish stain on carpeting. While you may be tempted to dab at the spot with an acetone-based nail polish remover, the tried-and-true method for removing it from nails and skin, acetone is potent enough to discolor your carpet and possibly break down the fibers. Fortunately, you can banish nail polish stains from carpet with another item you likely already have in your bathroom cabinet: the rubbing alcohol that you use for disinfecting wounds and surfaces. This is one of the clever ways you should be using rubbing alcohol around the house.

Nail polish stains are so difficult to remove from carpeting, clothing, and upholstery due to their ingredients, which include pigments, resins, and plasticizers. Whether it's a subtle nude or a vampy red, the pigments that give your nail polish its vibrant color are easily absorbed by carpet fibers. The resins in the formula allow it to harden and cling to those fibers, and the plasticizers also help it adhere to your carpet. Rubbing alcohol, which is typically a blend of isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol and water, works as a solvent, allowing it to break down nail polish and other stains and loosen their bonds with the carpet fibers. However, while it doesn't contain a bleaching agent, it can fade some fragile materials, so you should spot-test in an inconspicuous area of your carpet to avoid additional stains.

When spot cleaning carpet, acting quickly is key, but it's especially important with nail polish stains. Set stains are more difficult to remove, so start cleaning as soon as you see the spot. If the stain is fresh, use paper towels or a clean cloth to gently blot the wet polish. Try to remove as much as possible without pressing it deeper into the fibers or spreading it over a larger area. Don't panic if you discover dried nail polish on your carpet, though — use a butter knife to gently scrape away as much of the polish as you can before cleaning.

After spot-testing to ensure that the rubbing alcohol is safe for your carpet, dampen a clean cloth or a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol. Dab or blot gently at the spot, taking care not to scrub or spread the stain. Work slowly to avoid applying too much alcohol and potentially damaging the carpet, but continue blotting until the nail polish begins to lift. Make sure to use clean areas of your cloth or switch to fresh cotton balls as you dab, so you don't accidentally reapply the polish to your carpet.

Once the stain is removed, rinse the area with clean water. It will wash away the remaining pigments and any leftover alcohol on the carpet. Next, use a dry cloth or paper towel to blot the spot again and remove any remaining residue.