The Top Ten Household Uses For Acetone
Top Ten Household Uses for acetone and why acetone is so much more than just a homemade stain remover.
Every household should have a supply of Acetone handy. Acetone is a solvent, meaning that it can dissolve organic substances, such as grease, paint, and glue. These substances can be removed from metal, glass, or many other materials. Acetone’s effectiveness as a cleaning agent, its low toxicity level and its inexpensive price make it an excellent homemade stain remover for clothes, a DIY paint remover, a household disinfectant, and so much more.
Acetone is a versatile, inexpensive, naturally occurring product. While normally thought of as simply nail polish remover, there’s a whole collection of uses for acetone around the house.
Check out these top ten uses for acetone in your home.
1) Stain Remover
If you accidentally ran an ink pen across your favorite shirt and there’s now a large ink stain on the fabric, acetone can help. Just reach for a bottle of acetone and mix one part acetone to two parts water, use a cotton ball or cloth to dab the solution on the ink stain until it disappears, and then wash the garment as usual. While acetone can safely be used to treat most sturdy fabrics, such as cotton, polyester, wool, and most synthetics, it should not be used on acetate, triacetate, modacrylic, or very delicate fabrics such as silk. As a precaution, however, it’s always a good idea to first test an inconspicuous spot before proceeding with any new cleaning treatment.
2) Clean Up After Painting – Remove Paint
You painted the trim around your windows, but now there are specks of paint on the glass. Hold an acetone-soaked cotton ball on the paint splotches for a couple of minutes, and then use a clean, dry rag to wipe the paint away.
3) Scratch Remover
If there’s a small scratch on your plastic watch face, picture frame, furniture, or any other hard plastic item, you can smooth away the scratch with acetone. Dip a cotton swab in the acetone just enough to barely wet it, and then gently rub the swab over the scratched area. The acetone will slightly dissolve the plastic just enough to smooth away the scratch. Work slowly and carefully, as too much rubbing can make the damage worse.
4) Disinfectant Grooming Tools
Small metal grooming tools, including razors, tweezers, scissors, and nail clippers, tend to harbor germs that potentially cause skin irritation or infection. Disinfect these beauty and grooming tools periodically by wiping them with an acetone-soaked cotton ball and then rinsing them with water before wiping them dry with a clean towel.
5) Dissolve superglue
It’s an all-too-common scenario: While using superglue, you accidentally got some on your fingertips, and now your fingers are stuck together. Or perhaps you need the glue, but can’t get the cap off the tube thanks to dried superglue holding it in place. Luckily, you can solve both problems by rubbing a cotton ball soaked with acetone onto the problem area. This will dissolve the dried or sticky superglue.
6) Clean Coffee Mugs
If your favorite ceramic or glass mug has brown coffee or tea stains that don’t remove with regular washing, acetone can help rescue the stains from the mug. Just pour a teaspoon or two of acetone into the mug, rub it over the stained areas with a sponge or rag, and then wash the mug as usual. It will look fresh and clean again. Either toss the sponge or rag afterwards, or allow it to dry and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
7) Scuff Remover
If there are ugly black scuff marks on your tile, concrete, or laminate floor, just pour a couple of teaspoons of acetone onto a clean rag or paper towel, and wipe the offending marks away. Then go over the area with a clean rag dampened in water to remove any lingering acetone residue. Don’t try this on a wood floor, however, as acetone can remove the finish and leave permanent marks on wood. When finished, either toss your acetone-dampened rag, or let it dry and then wash it as usual.
8. Remove Stubborn Stickers From Glass and Metal
Finally – an easy answer to remove the gunk left behind from stickers and labels. Make this task effortless by rubbing the area with nail polish remover until the stick surface is no more!
9) Deep Clean Your Keyboard
Keyboards are a hotbed for germs and dirt. Dip an old toothbrush or cotton swab into your acetone nail polish remover then gently rub over your keys to remove any stains. You can also clean in-between keys and on your mouse, too.
10. Clean Your Bathtub
Got a dirty bath ring or soap and scum stains? Dilute acetone with a little bit of water and clean the tub with a sponge or cloth. Quick and easy with no soaking, no bleach, and no expensive bathroom cleaners.
Save money and time by putting acetone to work in your home of business.
Don’t waste time and money on a cabinet full of expensive specialty cleaners. Keep a few gallons of bulk acetone in your home or office and start using it on everyday cleaning, disinfecting, and stain removing.