Can acetone be used to clean PVC?

Answer 1

yes

Answer 2

In pure form for household cleaning, no. Acetone is used as a solvent for PVC; it penetrates, softens and eventually dissolves the material, so using undiluted acetone to clean PVC will damage it over time.

However, in a research project for the Department of Defense, a weak aqueous solution of acetone (25% or less) was found not to soften PVC even after the material was left in the solution for a week. So, a weak solution, applied sparingly and rinsed thoroughly afterward, can be used to clean PVC in household applications without harmful effect. Acetone, even at this strength, is very good at dissolving adhesive residues.

In industrial and construction applications, acetone can be used as a "primer", to prepare the ends of PVC pipe for joining. In this case the softening of the pipe is desireable, as the PVC cement will more readily be able to fuse the pipe and fitting together. A side effect of the primer is to clean off foreign material.

Answer 3

Acetone can be used to clean PVC (polyvinyl chloride) surfaces effectively. Acetone is a strong solvent that can dissolve grease, oil, and other contaminants on PVC surfaces. However, prolonged exposure to acetone can degrade the PVC material, so it should be used carefully and for short durations when cleaning PVC surfaces. It is important to test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure that the acetone does not cause any damage to the PVC surface.