Nail polish remover is a medicine cabinet staple that many always have on hand. Acetone is the main ingredient in many nail polish removers, but its uses extend far beyond taking off chipped nail varnish. Acetone is a versatile household chemical that can come in handy for everything from removing sticky residue to erasing scuff marks from your floors.
Affordable and easy to find, acetone has plenty of pros—but it can also cause damage if used incorrectly. In fact, before you begin using acetone for any use besides removing nail polish, be sure to perform a spot test first, cautions lifestyle expert and author Julie Edelman.
To find out when and how to use acetone effectively around the house, we turned to the experts. Below, cleaning and DIY-pros weigh in on all of the surprising ways that acetone can be used around the house long after you’ve taken off your nail polish.
Household Stain Remover
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Acetone can be an incredibly effective stain remover for a variety of surfaces like tables, floors, tile, and ceramics. For example, you can remove coffee rings simply by dampening a cloth with nail polish remover and gently rubbing away the stain, explains Edelman.
“Just be careful not to use it on any surface that has varnish, as it can just as easily remove that as well,” says Tim Wood, founder and CEO of Fix it Today. It’s also important to use acetone sparingly and remove any residue immediately to prevent damage to surfaces.
Remove Adhesive Residue
Leftover residue or glue from stickers, price tags, and labels can be difficult to remove, and that’s where acetone comes in. “Sticker residue on glass or metal can be tackled with nail polish remover,” says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maids. Use a little bit of acetone on a cloth and gently rub the area until all the residue dissolves.
Clean Paint Brushes
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If you’ve ever painted walls or furniture around your house, you know how difficult it can be to clean used paint brushes. Paint brushes can be pricey, especially good quality ones, so it’s more cost-effective (not to mention more sustainable) to try cleaning them for future use. Soaking those dry, stiff, paint-caked brushes in acetone can help dissolve dried-up paint from synthetic paint brushes, says Cook.
Remember to heed any warnings on your acetone or nail polish remover bottles—acetone is highly flammable and can cause irritation.
Restore Old Nail Polish
Anyone who has ever painted their nails probably has a bottle or two of dried up nail polish lying around. Before you toss it in the garbage, try adding a few drops of acetone to restore its original consistency, says Wood. Chances are that little bottle still has plenty of life left in it.
Remove Permanent Marker
We’ve all felt our stomachs drop after accidentally getting permanent marker on our clothes—or the regret of using them to label plastic storage containers. Acetone can help reverse these kinds of mistakes.
“Simply apply a small amount of nail polish remover to a cotton ball or cloth and gently blot the stain until it lifts,” says Mock. Make sure you finish by rinsing with water and drying thoroughly. Voilà! No more permanent marker.
Carpet Cleaner
If your home improvement project got a little out of hand, acetone can help remove paint stains from carpet. Even if the paint has already dried, acetone can help break it down. “Use a minimal amount to soften dried paint before gently blotting with a cloth,” says Mock. “Afterward, rinse with a mix of water and detergent to clean the area thoroughly.”
Lift Ink Stains
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Believe it or not, acetone can remove ink stains from skin and clothing. “Slip something protective under the stain first, then blot with a dampened cotton ball,” says Edelman. Then, launder the garment as usual. Make sure you wash your hands with soap and water to remove any acetone that may have gotten on your skin while treating the stain.
Erase Scruff Marks
If you notice scuffs or marks on your walls or floors, you can use a small amount of acetone to remove them and leave your surfaces looking good as new. “Dip a cotton swab or soft cloth in acetone and gently dab it directly onto the scuff until you’ve achieved the desired result,” recommends Mock.
Start with just a tiny amount of acetone and only use more if you need it since using too much can remove the paint. Also, be sure to try removing the scuff with a damp cloth or sponge before resorting to acetone, which is more abrasive.
