Is it safe to heat up acetone?
ICYDK, acetone is the chemical found in nail polish remover — and although it might be tempting to put it in the microwave to further expedite the process, don't do it. Acetone is flammable, so it shouldn't go near the microwave.
The chemical is very flammable, so you need to avoid using things like paint and nail polish remover near open flames. Breathing in large amounts of acetone can cause health problems like: Nose, throat, eye, and lung irritation. Sore throat.
It will certainly evaporate, then boil and may boil over. Whether it will burn depends on the type of stove - e.g. a gas stove is extremely likely to ignite - and the ventilation patterns bringing the vapour into contact with the hot element.
Acetone is highly flammable in its liquid state, with a flash point of 869 Fahrenheit. When exposed to open flame, IT WILL IGNITE. It is also flammable once evaporated, when in high enough concentration. It will remain flammable even after dispersing into the air and traveling.
Material | Flash Point (°C) | Autoignition (°C) |
---|---|---|
Acetaldehyde | − 27 | 525 |
Acetone | − 18 | 400 |
Acetylene | 305 | |
Acrylonitrile | − 1.1 | 481 |
Breathing moderate to high amounts of acetone for a short amount of time can irritate your nose, throat, lungs and eyes. It can also cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, a faster pulse, nausea, vomiting, effects on the blood, passing out and possible coma, and a shorter menstrual cycle in women.
Acetone isn't toxic, but it is dangerous when ingested. Exposure to acetone can dehydrate the nail plate, cuticles and the surrounding skin – nails can become dry and brittle, and cuticles can become dry, flaky, red and irritated.
Acetone is highly flammable, so it should never be used near a flame or heat source. It can irritate the lungs and mucus membranes, so it should always be used with good ventilation, and it can dry or crack your skin, so wear gloves while handling it.
Studies have shown that acetone vapor concentrations in excess of 8000 ppm (19.36 mg/m) are generally required to produce signs of central nervous system depression in animals, but concentrations as low as 500 ppm (1210 mg/m) may cause subtle behavioral changes (Morgott, 1993; ATSDR, 1994).
Most nail polish removers contain acetone, which is highly flammable at room temperature, even when it evaporates into the air. Keep acetone away from heat, open flame and anything that may cause a static or electric spark.
What happens if you touch 100% acetone?
If you've been exposed to large amounts of acetone, it can lead to acetone poisoning. Call 911 or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Is acetone toxic? High exposure to acetone can be toxic to almost all your body's systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems.
ICSC 0087 - ACETONE. Highly flammable. Vapour/air mixtures are explosive. Heating will cause rise in pressure with risk of bursting.

Water does not effectively extinguish an acetone fire, so workplaces that use this chemical must have working carbon dioxide, alcohol foam or dry chemical extinguishers to rapidly put out the flames and reduce heat injuries and worker exposure to hazardous combustion products.
When disposing of acetone, always put it in a separate garbage bag. Don't pour it down the drain or toilet. This could damage the pipes. Be mindful of where you dispose of it.
Acetone may explode when mixed with NITROSYL PERCHLORATE; and CHLOROFORM or BROMOFORM in the presence of a BASE. Acetone reacts with OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); ACETIC ACID; and NITRIC ACID to form explosive peroxides.
If there's one thing you don't want to do to your nails or your skin, it's soaking them in acetone. Soaking your nails for long periods to break down nail polish or gel is far from ideal, and can cause some serious irritations. Acetone can dehydrate the nail bed, cuticles, and skin.
The bloodstream absorbs acetone rapidly and completely from the lungs and stomach. The bloodstream can also absorb acetone from the skin, but less rapidly than from the lungs and stomach. Blood carries acetone to all body organs, but it does not stay there very long.
Mix 1/4 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with 1 cup of lukewarm water. Do not use a stronger solution, as it might leave a soap film residue. Do not use laundry detergent, since it may contain bleach that can damage or discolor the surface you are cleaning.
Acetone toxicity affects almost all body systems, including the nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems. The incidence of life-threatening medical problems from acetone exposure is very rare. However, in this report, we present a case of acetone toxicity resulting in death.
- Step 1: Wipe the Wooden Surface Dry. ...
- Step 2: Take Out Vaseline and Baking Soda. ...
- Step 3: Mix Vaseline and Baking Soda. ...
- Step 4: Take a Cleaning Sponge. ...
- Step 5: Rub The Stain On The Wooden Surface.
How do you heat up acetone at home?
To warm the acetone, you can run the bottle under warm water before you pour it into a bowl. Whatever you do, do not use any other method to heat it as acetone is extremely flammable. Then, make sure your nails are completely submerged and keep them in the bowl for at least 30 minutes.
Flammable Properties: HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUID. Can ignite at room temperature. Releases vapour that can form explosive mixture with air.
Residual acetone should not be evaporated inside a hot oven (>100oC) as acetone may polymerize and/or ignite under these conditions.