Nail polish in carpet? How to get it out
There will be plenty of time in an ideal world to spend a relaxing day at the nail salon. However, in the real world, finding time to get your nails done professionally on a regular basis can be challenging. Isn't it true that during a beauty crisis, we have no choice but to paint our own nails?
You calmly set up your nail polish station on your living room floor to save time and money. You start painting your nails with just enough time to catch up on your favorite shows. There's a towel on the carpet and no other distractions. And there you go! You've done the unexpected and spilled a bright color of nail polish on your carpet or, worse, one of your prized rugs.

When a stain disaster strikes, whether you have a runner on vintage wood floors, soft carpet suitable for lounging, or sturdy pet-friendly fabrics on your floors, it's critical that you act quickly and carefully. Although your regular cleaning methods might not be up to the task, following this nail polish-emergency procedure will help mitigate the negative effects of your at-home salon excursions.
Undoubtedly, there's nothing quite like witnessing your bottle of nail polish fall out of your hand and onto the floor carpet making your heart sink. If you've spilled nail polish on your carpet, don't panic; there are proven methods for getting fingernail polish out of the carpet. We're here to assist you! With our expert guide, we’ll show you a 10 step effective method to get that nail polish out of your carpet and give your carpet the same look back again!
Step # 01 Determine whether the stain is wet or dry
If the nail polish is still wet and sticky, dab the area with a paper towel until no color is picked up by the towel. Scrap off as much as you can if it's dry. Try to break the nail polish away from the carpet with the tip of a butter knife.
Step # 02 Use nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol

On an old washcloth that you don't mind getting dirty, pour either nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. (Note: Do some research on the kind of carpet you have to ensure the nail polish remover won't ruin it.) Just like you did with the paper towel, gently dab the stained area until no more color comes up.
The nail polish remover contains nitrocellulose, which forms a film that allows the polish to be removed. Rubbing alcohol is made up of about 70% alcohol and water, as well as perfume, oils, and denaturants.
Step # 03 Make a cleaning solution
Mix liquid dish soap, warm water, and white vinegar together to make a special solution. Add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to 2 cups of warm water, mix, and then pour the solution into a spray bottle.
Dawn's active ingredient, sodium lauryl sulfate, binds to the polish and makes it easy to remove. The acetic acid in white vinegar then aids in the permanent removal of the color from the carpet.
Step # 04 Use the cleaning solution

A little at a time, spray the solution directly on the nail polish stain. Dab the stain with an old washcloth once again. If possible, use a separate washcloth to keep an eye on the color as it develops. Continue dabbing until no more color is transferred to the washcloth.
Step # 05 Apply water
Wet the stained area with water using a separate spray bottle (or completely rinse the first one and use it). To make sure no color remains, spray the nail polish stain with warm water, and dab it with a paper towel again.
Step # 06 Pat dry using paper towels
Take several paper towels and stack them on the stained area. Use something heavy, like a stack of books, to weigh down the paper towels. This aids in the absorption of all of the moisture you spilled on the carpet.
Step # 07 Hold your horses

Allow about an hour for the stain's moisture to settle into the paper towels. You want to make sure there's no moisture left; otherwise, mildew could grow, which could lead to mold. It's critical that you take your time with this step.
Step # 08 A hairspray might work
Add a lot of water to the stain to make it wet. Spray 15 times with household hairspray directly on the stain. Scrub the infected area for two or three minutes with a toothbrush. Repeat this procedure three or four more times, or until the nail polish stain is gone.
Step # 09 Freshen the carpet with a freshener
Sprinkle some carpet freshener over the spot where the nail polish stained. The carpet should now be clean and dry, but the carpet freshener will help to remove any lingering odors from the vinegar or nail polish. If there are directions to do so, vacuum up the carpet freshener. The type of carpet freshener you use will determine this.
Step # 10 Blot dry the carpet
Using cold water, gently sponge the stain and wipe it out. Use a very small amount to avoid creating a lot of moisture. The goal is to set all of the items you've just used by serving as a stain sealant.
FAQs

Does nail polish remover stain carpet?
It doesn't happen too often, but it can happen. That's why it's crucial to figure out what kind of carpet you have, what kind of material it's made of, and how nail polish in the carpet could affect it first.
How does vinegar remove nail polish from the carpet?
Vinegar is one of those magical household items that everybody should have on hand. It contains acetic acid, an active ingredient that works to remove stains by attacking the source of the stain.
Will rubbing alcohol stain the carpet?
No, it's safer to use rubbing alcohol instead of nail polish remover. Rubbing alcohol won't discolor your carpet unless it's a particularly delicate sort.
Conclusion
Your heart sunk the moment the nail polish landed on your carpet. You probably thought figuring out how to get nail polish out of carpet would be impossible. You can breathe a bit better now that you know it's not impossible. Your carpet isn't ruined in any way. All is well!
You can now devote your attention to even more critical matters, such as relaxing in your home and trying out a new nail color. And if you want to do so then don’t forget to check out our website and order as many favorite nail colors as you want which are non-toxic and 100% free of harsh chemicals. We hope this article helps you and also, follow us on Instagram for more weekly updates on new trends and amazing new nail colors in town!
- Sara