Spilled nail polish is a problem that can take almost anyone by surprise. This raises the problem and the question of how to remove nail polish from the carpet. If this happened to you and on your favorite carpet there are still drops of nail polish, but you do not know what to do next – whether to wash the substance from the dark or light carpet or take it to the dry cleaner, then you should read this article in more detail!
How to remove nail polish from the carpet and what to look for?
The problem of cleaning the nail polish spills layer from the surface is solved by using a excess polish cleaner. However, this is not always the right solution because the acetone in the liquid can damage the structure of the coating.
It can be cleaned, but a lot depends on how much of the nail polish spills has spread on the surface and how long it has been there:
- It all depends on whether the stain is fresh or dry.
- The size and extent of the stain. After all, a stain can be caused by a fingernail polish that hasn’t dried completely.
- The type of carpeting is critical. Light carpet material is easier to remove traces of dirt with a substance, as it may be pile-free and the colors of the carpet material are not shiny. Rugs made of low to medium-pile material will be easier to deal with, while long-pile material will be more problematic.
For successful cleaning, it is recommended to adhere to the following peculiarities: First of all, clean the excess nail polish from the surface material very quickly. Use only safe and inexpensive household remedies.
What is the fastest way to get nail polish out of carpet?
If possible, it is advisable to remove the paint immediately after the incident occurs. Paint that has just gotten wet may emit a strong odor, which may cause discomfort, but there is no other way to remove it quickly, as it will take longer to clean if the enamel dries on the dark carpet or the light.
Important: Personal protective equipment such as a mask and gloves must be worn before cleaning.
When you clean wet paint on the coating, the risk of damage to the surface will be minimal.
There are various types of varnish removal using a spoon, glass cleaner, and hydrogen peroxide.
How to remove nail polish from the carpet stain: fresh nail polish stain
As a first cleaning method of varnish removal – a spoon and paper towel. It may seem wrong to some to use a spoon rather than a detergent to clean nail polish, but practice shows that this is an effective way to start.
The spoon is an alternative to dangerous chemicals, as it has no negative effect, while fully affecting the wet varnish. In addition to this tool, we will need several other accessories:
- A cloth of fine microfiber cloth or paper towel (not wet);
- A bucket of clean warm water;
- A sponge.
Use a circular motion of the spoon to scrape and clean the nail polish particles, and use a rag or paper towel to remove the liquid so that the spoon stays clean.
When most of the nail polish spill is recovered, take a sponge, dip it in a bucket of cold water for a while, and gently blot the paint so that the remaining liquid is absorbed. Other ways to solve this problem are listed below.
Dried nail polish stains
Stale varnishes need a little more work. But there are effective ways to do it. In some cases, it can simply be scraped off. If the layer of dye has not penetrated very deeply, and the thickness of the layer of carpet fibers is large, you can gently rinse it off. For large stained area of dirt, this is not a good idea: they become very noticeable.
To scrub off stubborn and un-cleanable nail polish spills, use nail polish remover. If you have an alcohol solution on hand, add it to the liquid. You can apply a small amount of nail polish remover (possibly with alcohol) to a heavily soaked area to clean the surface from the excess polish.
After a while, the varnish will begin to delaminate, and it should be area gently brushed off with a hard brush. An ordinary old toothbrush will also do. During processing, the small brush should not slip on the surface of the dry nail polish. The small scrub brush should be cleaned after each contact with the lint of the area rug.
The removal procedure does not always completely solve the problem. Acetone or purified gasoline can be used to clean stubborn layers of lacquer. These substances should always be checked before use because they can lead to the erasure of the pattern of the carpet. It should be noted that scrubbing should be done outdoors, as long inhalation of fumes containing acetone is not welcome.
Special cleaners and window cleaner
The lacquer base can be cleaned with special cleaners available at many home improvement stores. However, be careful and read the information about their purpose and properties carefully. These are usually listed on the packaging.
When using these cleaning chemicals, follow the instructions for use carefully.
Window cleaner can be tried as a handy cleaner. Liquids with cleaning additives are usually low in color and do not damage the coating. Apply the cleaner and leave it on for 2-3 minutes. After that, wipe the surface with a cotton cloth or soft sponge. After that, rinse with cold water and wipe with a clean cloth.
How to Get Nail Polish Out of Carpet Fast and Easy?
Home remedies for nail polish stain
To remove the layer of wet varnish covering the surface of the carpet, you should use cleaning and detergents that are available in every home. Chlorine is not recommended for colored lint.
What handy remedies can be used to peel off nail polish:
- household cleaning products;
- dishwasher detergents or dish soap;
- hydrogen peroxide-based liquid;
- nail polish remover;
- alcohol;
- more hairspray.
After removing the dirt, the pile should be rinsed and vacuumed. This will allow you to return the carpet to its former appearance. A dishwasher or dish soap detergent can help remove stubborn stains from your carpet. The active foam formed during washing deeply penetrates into the nap carpet fibers and cleans them.
Even fresh-looking lacquer paint can be cleaned the first time with the help of household cleaners. To do this, just apply a little bit of liquid foam on the sponge and wipe the soiled area. Dishwashing detergent works well with lacquer. It removes dirt without damaging the lint.
Next, we’ll take a closer look at the most commonly used lint removers.
Non acetone nail polish stain remover
Choose a product non acetone, as it destroys the coating and spoils the lint. It is worth testing on an inconspicuous area of the skin before using it:
- Put the cleaner on a cotton pad, place it on the dirty area and wait sixty seconds.
- Wipe the contaminated area with a damp cloth.
- Repeat if necessary until the carpet is completely clean.
Hydrogen Peroxide and nail polish remover
These products are great for cleaning white carpeting. They are readily available at the drugstore. Hydrogen peroxide is not used for colored or dark piles. Nail polish removers are used without acetone. Using hydrogen peroxide you can also remove deodorant stains from black shirts.
video: How to remove nail polish from the carpet?
White vinegar, salt, and baking soda – folk methods of combating nail polish stains
For home conditions are suitable such improvised means that allow you to remove nail polish from the surface of the floor. But before you start using them, do not forget to test the remedy in an inconspicuous place.
Baking soda.
To prepare soda you will need to take one hundred grams of sodium bicarbonate per five liters of cold water. The resulting solution is applied to the stains and after half an hour is removed with a washing vacuum cleaner.
Another way: put soda on the stain and add some ginger ale on top to moisten the baking soda.
Table salt.
The stain is moistened with water, 1 tablespoon of table salt is poured on top and the mixture is left in this form for thirty minutes. Wash off with a sponge and dry.
White vinegar dye-free.
Perfectly copes with old dried varnish. Take exactly two tablespoons of such a substance as vinegar per liter of warm water. Treat the carpet with gloves.
Rubbing alcohol and Hair-spray
Hair spray and rubbing alcohol are effective for fresh dye. It is more difficult to get the desired results when cleaning old dirt:
- Wet the covered mat with clean warm water.
- Spray bottle it liberally with hair spray.
- Pour a few drops of rubbing alcohol.
- After 2-3 minutes, clean the paint with a brush.
- Repeat the process until the mat is completely clean.
Stain remover
There are stain removers for all types of paint tough stains. They work great on nail polish. You can buy one in the household chemicals department.
Your steps:
- Apply the product to the paint and allow time according to the instructions.
- Wipe it off with a tissue.
- Rinse off with water.
- Allow drying.
Paint removers do not damage the material or affect the color of the mat.
Extra stiff products
If nothing else is on hand, use thinner or acetone to clean the excess nail polish on the mat. Aggressive products affect the paint pile, so use them for whites and lighter shades.
Your steps:
- Dampen the lacquer paint with water;
- Apply a small amount of thinner or acetone;
- Wait about sixty seconds;
- Scrub with a brush;
- Wipe with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel.
Wear gloves to prevent damage to the skin on your hands. After cleaning, the carpet should be vacuumed.
Professional carpet cleaning products
The specialized carpet cleaners penetrate deep into the pile. They are available as liquid or dry powder.
The feature of these means is that they clean any paint, and do not spoil the carpet. They are chosen depending on the quality of the pile and the type of coverage.
Other than household chemicals, special products are designed for cleaning carpets. They do not damage the material and have a high degree of cleaning.
Cleaning rules
Compliance with the rules of paint removal allows you to preserve the coloring and exclusivity of the fabric:
- When choosing a remedy, always rely on the naturalness of the pile, its color, and length.
- Test the product in an inconspicuous area before use.
- Isolate pets to prevent poisoning.
- Ventilate the room well.
- Fresh lacquer paint cleans up better.
- Woolen clothing should not get too wet.
- Dry clean expensive carpets.
Checking the reaction to the detergent
Particular attention must be paid to the effect of the detergent:
- Apply a small amount of detergent to a poorly visible area.
- Dry the area for five minutes.
- Rinse.
If the color of the lint remains unchanged, you can safely continue cleaning. Often, cleaning damages the paint as it loses its original shade. Gently cleaning the stained areas keeps the carpet soft and clean.
Dried nail polish stains
A few basic rules should be followed for successful cleaning:
- All products, even those that are harmless, should be tested on a limited stained area of the carpet surface, preferably in an inconspicuous place.
- If there are dogs or other pets in the house, isolate them from the surface to be treated, as they may lick the surface. This may endanger their lives.
- Start removing the paint right away, as the older it is, the harder it is to clean.
If you don’t know what to do and the carpet is expensive, it may be worth taking it to a dry cleaner.
Conclusion
Traces of spilled liquid (lacquer substance) is not a fatal event, so the carpet is quite possible to restore. In case the methods of home treatment do not help, nowadays there are special cleaning products available at any retail outlet.
Finally, we recommend that you read our guide on how to remove nail polish stains from carpet. If our tips on how to remove excess nail polish were helpful, we would be happy if you share this guide with your loved ones.
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