Find Alternatives to Acetone for Nail Polish Removal

  • Thread starter Thread starter wolram
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Acetone
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding household alternatives to acetone for removing substances, particularly cyanoacrylate (super glue). Participants explore various options and share personal experiences related to the effectiveness and safety of these alternatives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the effectiveness of alternatives depends on the specific purpose for which acetone is typically used.
  • There is a specific inquiry about dissolving cyanoacrylate, with one participant confirming the need to remove it from a damp towel.
  • One participant humorously suggests using peanut butter as a potential alternative for removing glue, citing its effectiveness on sticky residues.
  • Another participant mentions trying vodka as a possible substitute.
  • Some participants express concerns about the safety of using acetone, particularly regarding its potential to cause burns.
  • One participant shares that octane booster has worked well for them, although it can cause dizziness.
  • There is a suggestion to use warm soapy water and elbow grease as a safer cleaning method if acetone is not available.
  • Participants discuss the potential risks of using certain chemicals, with one noting that MEK could damage surfaces.
  • Orange oil is mentioned as a benign alternative that might work without harming surfaces.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a single best alternative to acetone, with multiple competing views and suggestions remaining throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the effectiveness and safety of various alternatives, and there are limitations in the availability of suggested substances at hardware stores.

wolram
Gold Member
Dearly Missed
Messages
4,410
Reaction score
551
For a household substitute for Acetone except nail polish?
 
Biology news on Phys.org
wolram said:
For a household substitute for Acetone except nail polish?

it depends on the purpose.
 
Pythagorean said:
it depends on the purpose.


It is not for any thing sinister or dangerous, just a house hold job that may crop up some time.
 
The question was what property of Acetone is this to be used for- really, for what job?
 
HallsofIvy said:
The question was what property of Acetone is this to be used for- really, for what job?


I need it to disolve another substance, and i am trying not to be :blushing:
 
you want to dissolve cyanoacrylate?
 
Proton Soup said:
you want to dissolve cyanoacrylate?


Yes please, a rather large area.
 
and what are you removing it from? Also necessary to know the material.
 
Why not use acetone? This is one mysterious thread.
 
  • #10
because acetone burns the privates. don't worry I had the same problem. hot bath, take your time.
 
  • #11
I just had a bright idea: peanut butter! :biggrin:

I don't know exactly what you are trying to do, but peanut butter can be used to remove glue or other sticky things like gum. I sometimes use it to remove the glue residue that is left when you pull off transparent tape from plastic (and peanut butter, unlike acetone or nail polish remover does not damage the plastic). Something else oily like lotion might also do the job.
 
  • #12
tried vodka?
 
  • #13
tribdog said:
because acetone burns the privates. don't worry I had the same problem. hot bath, take your time.


Ouch, that would be bad, but my problem is nothing like that.
 
  • #14
Pythagorean said:
and what are you removing it from? Also necessary to know the material.


Okay. i spilled a bottle of super glue on a damp towel that was sat on the counter, not wanting to touch it i left it to set, not thinking it would seep through.
 
  • #15
tribdog said:
tried vodka?


I'm inclined to suspect that was what caused all this!
 
  • #16
haha. I've done that too. what kind of counter? if you don't have acetone your best bet is probably warm soapy water, the best cleaner you've got and elbow grease.
 
  • #17
HallsofIvy said:
I'm inclined to suspect that was what caused all this!

Wrong :smile:, i was being ultra care full as the top had sealed to the container, so i had to use pliers to get it undone, hence the damp towel.
 
  • #18
and the worst part of it all is you won't even get a thank you for being careful.
 
  • #19
I found some octane booster works quite well, i have cleared about a quarter of it , it makes one a bit dizzy.
 
  • #20
wolram said:
I found some octane booster works quite well, i have cleared about a quarter of it , it makes one a bit dizzy.
Wolram, don't get dizzy with octane booster in your hand. Are you in the kitchen?

This is what can happen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxIBk1a3qdQ&feature=related
 
  • #21
Evo said:
Wolram, don't get dizzy with octane booster in your hand. Are you in the kitchen?


On and off, 10 mins at a time is enough, i shall have to buy another towel now, this one looks a bit sorry for its self, and this is hard work or i am getting un fitter, oh well only another bazillions of fibers to scrub off.
 
  • #22
Aren't you ashamed of yourself? How do you get into such predicaments?
 
  • #23
tribdog said:
Aren't you ashamed of yourself? How do you get into such predicaments?


This could happen to any one, or even worse, like some one getting it on his toddger :rolleyes:

I used full protection, bin bag, rubber gloves, eye glasses, all would have been well if the container had a stable bottom, it should be made law that super glue containers have fat bottoms.
 
  • #24
i'm really glad i didn't suggest MEK, now, it might've destroyed the counter. wikipedia had some suggestions other than acetone, but i didn't recognize any of them as easy to obtain at the hardware store.
 
  • #25
Acetone will disolve varnish and a variety of plastic table top surfaces. I'd experient on a remote spot before going at furnature with acetone. Orange oil might work, and it's fairly benign to mammal types without an allergy to it...
 
Last edited:
  • #26
Phrak said:
Acetone will disolve varnish and a variety of plastic table top surfaces. I'd experient on a remote spot before going at furnature with acetone. Orange oil might work, and it's fairly benign to mammal types without an allergy to it...

The octane booster i used worked great, there is even a nice smell even after washing down with hot soapy water.
 

Similar threads

Smoothing 3d prints with acetone
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Chemical/Paint How can I remove copper windings on an armature by soaking it in acetone?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
What happens when bleach and nailpolish remover are mixed together?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Undergrad I Want to Remove a KTP Crystal's Coating
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
9K
Acetone in water influence its enthelpy of vaporization
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Resists for etching Aluminium with NaOH
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
928
Acetone from Nail Polish Remover?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
15K
Can vinegar effectively remove residual oils from surfaces and objects?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
6K
Shiny black nail polish to matte black
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Construction How can you easily start panel nails when nailing panels onto a ceiling?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K