Acetone is a fast-evaporating solvent, and it is usually the main ingredient in nail polish remover. It is a colorless liquid that smells like peppermint, and it is flammable, so it needs fresh air and no sparks or flame. It dissolves nail polish, lacquer and some inks, which makes it useful for certain stains when used carefully.
Used with care, it can handle a few stubborn stains. It is also a poor choice for many materials, so a quick test matters more than speed. Work on one product at a time and rinse well between steps.
5 steps
Step by step
- 1
Check the material
Identify the fabric or surface and check the fiber content before you start. Do not use acetone on acetate, triacetate or modacrylic fabric, or on finished wood, vinyl or quartz.
- 2
Pretest a hidden spot
Dab a small amount of pure acetone or a non-oily remover on a hidden area first. Only move on to the stain if the spot shows no damage.
- 3
Work from the back
Place the stain face down on paper towels. Dab acetone onto a cloth or sponge the back of the stain, and rotate or replace the towels often.
- 4
Repeat, then rinse
Keep going until the stain is gone. Rinse the area thoroughly, then launder the item.
- 5
Ventilate and keep away from flame
Work in a well-ventilated room, away from sparks or flame. Avoid breathing the fumes, since acetone evaporates rapidly and produces toxic fumes.
What Acetone Is Good For
Acetone is most useful on nail polish and lacquer, and it works on some ink stains too. Felt-tip and non-red stamp-pad ink can be sponged with acetone, rubbing alcohol, or a pre-wash soil-and-stain remover until all bleeding stops.
Some university procedures allow non-oily acetone removers to stand in for amyl acetate on plastic and resin stains. On natural stone, acetone can treat oil-based stains like grease, cooking oil and cosmetics. For organic stains such as coffee, tea and fruit on stone, a poultice can use acetone in place of hydrogen peroxide.
How to Use Acetone on Stains
Start with pure acetone, sold in drug stores, or a non-oily remover, because oil-type nail polish remover is not recommended. Pretest on a hidden spot first and check the fiber content of the fabric.
On fabric, place the stain face down on paper towels and apply the remover to the back of the stain. Replace the towels often and repeat until the stain disappears, then rinse and launder the item. Work in a well-ventilated room away from sparks or flame, and do not breathe in the fumes.
Where Acetone Is Unsafe
Acetone and lacquer thinner make acetate and triacetate turn to froth, and nail polish remover dissolves acetate, so keep both away from acetate, triacetate and modacrylic fabrics. Do not apply remover to stains on finished wood, and on lacquer finishes let it evaporate rather than wiping it on, since it softens the finish.
Vinyl and resilient floors can be affected by nail polish remover and amyl acetate. Quartz and solid-surface countertops should avoid contact with nail polish remover and acetone-based cleaners, and light-colored natural stone should not be treated with lacquer thinner or acetone for ink or marker. Solvents that reach carpet backing can damage the latex that holds the backings together, so never pour acetone directly on carpet.
Common Myths About Acetone
A common belief is that nail polish remover is the same as pure acetone. Many removers contain other ingredients that can make a stain worse, and some use amyl acetate instead of acetone.
Oil-type removers should be avoided, so check the label before you buy. Another myth is that acetone takes super glue out of clothes. Super glue on clothing cannot be removed with acetone, so a cool-water soak is the approach to try.
What Never to Mix With Acetone
No listed product is named as something acetone must never be mixed with, so the safe rule is one product at a time. Finish one treatment, rinse the area well, and let it dry before you try another product.
Do not leave remover sitting on a surface, because it can soften lacquer and some finishes. If a product label warns against acetone, follow that warning first.
Questions
Does acetone remove stains?
Yes, on certain stains. Acetone works best on nail polish, lacquer and some inks, and it can treat oil-based stains on natural stone. It can also damage some finishes, so always test a hidden spot first.
Is nail polish remover the same as acetone?
Not always, although nail polish remover is usually acetone. Many removers contain other ingredients that can worsen the stain, and some use amyl acetate instead. Choose pure acetone or a non-oily remover, and avoid oil-type removers.
How do I remove a nail polish remover stain?
Treat it the same way as any acetone stain. Pretest a hidden spot, place the stain face down on paper towels, and work from the back with a cloth or sponge. Check the fabric first, because acetate and triacetate dissolve in acetone.
Can I use acetone on suede?
No suede method is given here, so do not try acetone on suede based on general tips. Check the care label and ask a professional cleaner before you treat it.
What can I use instead of acetone?
For ink, rubbing alcohol or a pre-wash soil-and-stain remover is listed alongside acetone. For laminate, rubbing alcohol or ethanol is an option for tougher stains. No specific commercial spot remover is named here for acetone stains.
Is acetone safe on skin?
No, not without care. Acetone dries out the skin and can cause irritation, and it is absorbed through the skin and lungs. Limit skin contact and work in fresh air.
Can acetone be used on carpet?
Yes, but treat it as a dry-cleaning solvent. Apply it to a cloth rather than pouring it on the carpet, and keep it from reaching the backing.
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Sources
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