How can I remove nail polish from my hardwood floor?  

If you have spilled nail polish on your finished wood floor, you are probably going to remove part of the finish when you remove the polish. We suggest that you try to remove the dried-on polish by using a damp, white towel to dab a bit of rubbing alcohol on the spot before you put anything harsher on the finished floor. Before you apply it to the polish, test it on a piece of scrap wood or on a spot of your floor that is covered by furniture or a rug. If rubbing alcohol does not remove the polish, dab the stain with mineral spirits, a mild petroleum based solvent that painters sometimes use instead of turpentine to clean paint brushes. Be careful not to spill the solvent on the unstained area of the floor. Still no luck? Break out the nail polish remover but use a non-acetone brand. If this still does not do the trick, try an acetone-based polish remover but be aware that it is going to take the finish off of your floor along with the polish. Lacquer thinner will work much the same way. If you are careful to dab the polish and not the surrounding floor, you will create only a small area of damage to the floor. Lightly sand the unfinished area and then recoat it with an oil based urethane, using a narrow artist’s paint brush. So Edna, no more nail polishing on hardwood floors.