Acetone is most frequently used in the home for people wanting to remove nail polish. It can also be used for removing stains from clothing and furniture but you may be asking yourself is this safe?
If you are worried that using acetone may ruin the material of your clothes, we take a look at what the effects of using acetone are and where precautions should be taken.
Whether you have spilled nail polish remover on your clothes or you are thinking of using alternative cleaning products for oil stains you may be wondering if acetone will stain your clothes. These commonly asked questions and our informed answers should put your mind at ease.
The article will talk you through what clothes should be avoided using acetone and how you can remove acetone stains if you have any spillages. The good news is that acetone will not stain your clothes as it evaporates quickly and is suitable for delicate materials.
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What is Acetone?
Acetone is a naturally occurring compound made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and forms a colorless and highly flammable liquid that is naturally occurring and colorless.
Acetone can break down materials, such as nail polish and oils which is why it is present in nail polish remover and also used for stain removal. Acetone is safe to use, although some people may like to wear a mask when using It as it has a strong smell, and ok to use on even the most delicate of fabrics.
[amazon box=”B088RLTHS6″ template=”vertical”]What Fabrics Can Acetone Damage?
Also known as propane, acetone is naturally occurring and while it is organic it is flammable and may not be suitable for use on all fabrics.
The structure of acetone means it can break through plastic and rubber so you may not want to use it on clothes made with these fabrics.
If you really want to try acetone to clean stains then try a small area that is inconspicuous in case of damage.
The best thing that you can do is to check the label on your clothing to ensure that acetone is safe to use.
If you see that your clothes contain synthetic or plastic materials then you are best not to use acetone. You may risk the chance of your clothes dissolving along with the stain as it will be unable to distinguish between the stain and the item of clothing.
Can I Use Acetone on Natural Fibers
Acetone may also damage natural fibers if they are very delicate so wool, silk, and satin may not take well to acetone.
You may think that if your delicate clothing has a stain then it cannot be worn anyway so it is worth a try with acetone but there will be other ways to try removing stains from these items.
Acetone will be ok to use on cotton and manmade materials as long as they do not contain plastic. As advised earlier on, it is best to test a small area of your clothing if you are going to use acetone to avoid any discoloration or further staining.
If you have tried all other options for getting stains out of your clothes then it is worth going acetone a try but does expect some discoloration.
Removing Acetone Stains From Clothes
If you do use acetone and you noticed that it has marked your clothes there is a chance that you can remove the stain using the following method.
- Blot the stain with a clean cloth or cotton pad
- Remove any solids that begin to form with a spatula or a spoon (you can use a blunt knife if you don’t have either of these
- Combine a quarter of a cup of liquid soap with one cup of water
- Dab the mixture gently onto the stain being careful not to press too hard so that the stain doesn’t push into the garment even further
- Work your way from the outside into the middle of the stain using a clean cloth or pad when necessary
- Continue until the stain has gone and use a clean cloth to dab the area dry
- You can then launder as usual
- Dry fully if you are happy that the stain has been removed. Drying your clothes before fully removing the stain can set the stain so it will be very difficult to remove afterward
If this does not work and you can still see an acetone stain you can try using a commercial stain remover or a product that specializes in removing acetone from clothes.
Using Hairspray to Remove Acetone Stains
If you have tried the above method and it does not work you can try using hairspray as an effective stain remover.
Instructions
- Remove any excess lipgloss with a knife or spatula
- Spray the hairspray directly onto the stain
- Soak for 10 to fifteen minutes
- Soak a cloth or a cotton pad in the bowl
- Blot the stain moving from the outside in.
- Wash clothing as normal and allow to dry
Using Acetone To Remove Stains
If you are confident that you can use acetone on your clothes then you can follow the below steps to do so.
Instructions
- Remove any excess lipgloss with a knife or spatula
- Pour the acetone into a bowl
- Soak a cloth or a cotton pad in the bowl
- Blot the stain moving from the outside in. Be careful not to rub too harshly as it will push the stain into the clothing
- Spray with hairspray to remove the most stubborn stain
- Continue to blot with the acetone until the stain begins to go away
- Wash clothing as normal and allow to dry
Acetone best works on removing stubborn stains such as oil-based paints, ink, nail polish, and grease.
Other Uses For Acetone
Acetone is most commonly used as nail polish remover and stain remover but it can also be used for the following:
- Unticking superglue
- Removing melted plastic from items such as metal
- Removing permanent marker
- Getting rid of scuff marks
- Buffing scratches
- Removing paint
- Disinfecting grooming tools
- Cleaning the bathtub
- Getting stains out of coffee cups
Using Acetone Safely
If you are using acetone to clean products you may want to use a safety mask and goggles to protect your eyes and respiratory system as it is an irritant. Using acetone for a few minutes on your nails should not pose a great problem if you are not sensitive to the smell.
If, however, you are using acetone for a long period of time then it is best to be as safe as possible. If you get acetone on your hands then make sure your clean them thoroughly with soap to get rid of any traces of acetone that may irritate your skin.
If you are using acetone purely to remove nail polish then you may want to look at an acetone-free product so there is no risk of staining your clothes. Acetone-free nail polish remover is suitable for removing standard nail polish but will not work on modern gel polishes or acrylic nails as effectively.
If you are using acetone for the first time you can dilute a small amount in water and try blotting with the diluted mixture in the first instance. This will prove much gentler on your clothing and you can increase the acetone slightly each time if you find the stain is still visible on your clothing,
[amazon box=”B009LNWPW8″ template=”vertical”]Alternatives to Using Acetone as a Stain Remover
If you are using acetone to remove stains and you are worried about staining your clothes even further then you can use similar items that can be just as effective.
Rubbing alcohol, hairspray, baking powder, vinegar and lemon are just a few household items that can be used to remove stains such as paint, ink, and oil from your clothes without the risk of discoloring your favorite pieces of clothing. As always whatever product you choose to use for your stain you should try a small area first.
This is especially the case when using commercial stain removers so always read the instructions on the label.
[amazon box=”B01EMB69RA,B074J7X1DN,B07CN5K12R” grid=”3″]Summary
If you have used acetone for your nails or other beauty or household uses and you spill some on your clothes there is no need to worry. If your clothes are made of plastic or rubber then the acetone may burn through these items so it is best to try and avoid using acetone as a stain remover on these items.
If you have clothes that are not delicate or made from synthetics then acetone is a good option for removing stubborn stains. It is important to check the labels on your clothes to ensure that acetone will not affect the coloring of your clothes or ruin the material.
If you are ever in doubt about removing a stain on an expensive item of clothing then you should speak to a professional cleaning service.