When dealing with paint or nail polish, the question of how to handle depends on how long the spot has been there. Both paint and fingernail polish are typically are petroleum based, so the cleaning process is basically the same.
If someone spills a bottle of nail polish on the floor and its hard surface, quickly and liberally sprinkle sugar on top of it.! The sugar will absorb 99% of the product. What’s left over can be carefully cleaned with nail polish remover or acetone. However, NEVER directly apply nail polish remover or acetone to the surface that is being cleaned. Always apply the nail polish remover or acetone to a clean cloth and blot the spot
On fabric, nail polish remover and acetone, if applied directly to the carpet or fabric, can de-laminate the fibers, meaning the glue that is holding the fibers together may deteriorate and the carpet fibers will start to fall out or the upholstered fabric will become weak and possibly tear. If the paint or fingernail polish is wet, blot with a damp towel. Do not scrub because the stain will just get larger. Always work from the outside of the spot towards the center. When you cannot get any more transfer to the towel, then use the nail polish remover/acetone. Depending on how old the carpet is and how frequently it has been cleaned will definitely determine how well the spot will clean up. If the carpet is old and has not been cleaned regularly, then the dye-sets of the fibers are most likely open and ready to accept other dyes readily.
What we highly recommend – because of the petroleum content of paint and nail polish as well as because acetone or nail polish remover can do damage to hard surfaces, carpet fibers and upholstery unless it is handled very. very carefully – is in the case of this type of disaster, contact your professional cleaning company immediately to assist you. Contact Cincinnati Maintenance for these tough situations!