How do you store acetone safely?
Store acetone in tightly sealed, original or approved containers inside a cool, dry, well-ventilated flammable-liquids storage area, kept below 25°C (77°F) and away from all ignition sources, heat, sunlight, and oxidizers. Acetone is a Class IB flammable liquid with a flash point of −20°C (−4°F), so vapor control and grounding are essential.
Because acetone (CAS 67-64-1) evaporates fast and its vapors are heavier than air, they can travel along the floor to a distant ignition source and flash back. Safe storage is mostly about controlling those vapors and keeping ignition sources away. Below is the practical detail, drawn from the acetone Safety Data Sheet and OSHA flammable-liquid standards — not a substitute for reading the SDS for your specific lot.
What makes acetone a storage hazard?
Acetone is one of the most useful solvents in industry, but its physical properties make it demanding to store. Its flash point sits far below room temperature, its vapors are denser than air, and it forms flammable mixtures across a wide range of concentrations. The table below summarizes the properties that drive storage decisions.
| Property | Value | Storage implication |
|---|---|---|
| CAS number | 67-64-1 | Confirm on every SDS and label |
| Flash point | −20°C (−4°F) | Flammable at all normal storage temps |
| Boiling point | 56°C (133°F) | High vapor pressure; evaporates fast |
| Specific gravity | 0.788 | Floats on water; affects spill response |
| Vapor density (vs. air) | ~2.0 | Vapors sink and travel to ignition sources |
| Flammable range | ~2.5–13% in air | Wide range of ignitable mixtures |
| NFPA/OSHA class | Class IB flammable liquid | Flash point <73°F, boiling point ≥100°F |
| OSHA PEL (8-hr TWA) | 1000 ppm | Ventilate to keep vapors below limit |
| NIOSH REL | 250 ppm | Tighter voluntary target |
Figures reflect the RightPath acetone product page and the OSHA/NIOSH Pocket Guide entry for acetone. Always verify against your current SDS.
Where should acetone be stored?
Keep acetone in a dedicated flammable-liquids storage area — a listed flammable-storage cabinet for small quantities, or a detached/rated storage room for larger volumes — that meets OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106. The area should be cool, dry, and mechanically ventilated, with containers kept out of direct sunlight and away from heat.
What temperature should acetone be stored at?
Store acetone below 25°C (77°F) whenever possible and never near heat sources, steam lines, or in unconditioned spaces that can spike in summer. Lower temperatures reduce vapor pressure and evaporative loss, and keep drums from pressurizing.
Do you need a flammable cabinet for acetone?
For most workplace quantities, yes. A listed flammable-storage cabinet is the simplest way to comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106, which caps how much flammable liquid you can keep outside an approved cabinet or storage room. A proper cabinet is double-walled steel with a leak-tight sill, self-closing doors, and vent bungs, and it keeps acetone segregated from ignition sources. Match the cabinet’s rated capacity to how much acetone you actually keep on hand, and never store oxidizers in the same cabinet.
What should acetone be kept away from?
Keep acetone separated from strong oxidizers (nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, chromic acid, and similar), which can react violently. Keep it away from open flames, sparks, hot surfaces, and static-generating operations. Store it apart from incompatible chemicals rather than co-mingling drums on the same pallet.
Where do you find acetone’s official storage specs?
Always confirm storage temperature, incompatibilities, and handling against the current acetone Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for your specific grade and supplier — the SDS Section 7 (handling and storage) and Section 10 (stability and reactivity) are the authoritative reference. RightPath provides an SDS with every acetone order; do not rely on generic figures for a tightly controlled process.
What PPE and controls do you need to handle acetone?
Use chemical splash goggles and a face shield for pouring, plus gloves made from a material rated for ketones — butyl rubber offers good resistance, while nitrile and latex break through quickly. Work in ventilated areas, bond and ground containers during transfer to prevent static discharge, and keep a Class B fire extinguisher accessible. Use non-sparking tools around open containers.
For spills, eliminate ignition sources first, ventilate, and absorb with a non-combustible absorbent (never sawdust). Consult the SDS and your site emergency plan before responding to anything beyond a minor spill.
How long does acetone last in storage?
Sealed, uncontaminated acetone stored correctly typically remains usable for two or more years, though it slowly absorbs atmospheric moisture once opened because it is fully miscible with water. For analytical and high-purity uses, rotate stock first-in-first-out, keep containers tightly closed, and re-test older lots against your specification before use. Lot control (available from RightPath) makes this traceable.
What grades and sizes of acetone does RightPath stock?
RightPath Industries supplies acetone (CAS 67-64-1) in multiple grades to match your application, from technical and industrial through higher-purity solvent grades. We fill from small packaging up to bulk, with lot control available for tightly specified processes.
| Packaging | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Small pack / pails | Lab and low-volume operations |
| 55-gallon drums | Standard industrial supply |
| 275-gallon totes (IBC) | Higher-throughput manufacturing |
| Bulk tanker loads | Large-scale / continuous use |
See the full acetone product page and browse related solvents in our catalog.
How do you order acetone from RightPath?
Request a quote through the RightPath pricing form, call 888-255-2401, or email sales@rightpathind.com. Tell us the grade, packaging size, and quantity you need, and we will cross-reference your current material, confirm availability, and can sequester and lot-control stock at one of our three U.S. warehouses for just-in-time delivery.
Request bulk pricing: Get an acetone quote →
Frequently asked questions
Is acetone flammable?
Yes. Acetone is a Class IB flammable liquid with a flash point of −20°C (−4°F), well below room temperature. Its vapors form ignitable mixtures in air and can travel to distant ignition sources, so it must be stored away from all heat, sparks, and flames.
Can acetone be stored in plastic containers?
Acetone is compatible with HDPE and metal for short-to-medium term storage but attacks many other plastics (PET, polystyrene, PVC). Use only the original container or a container material explicitly rated for acetone, and keep it tightly sealed.
Does acetone need to be stored in a flammable cabinet?
For most workplace quantities, yes. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106 limits how much flammable liquid can be stored outside a listed flammable-storage cabinet or approved storage room. Check your quantities against the standard and your local fire code.
What should you not store near acetone?
Do not store acetone near strong oxidizers such as nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, or chromic acid, or near ignition sources, heat, and direct sunlight. Keep it segregated from incompatible chemicals.
How should an acetone spill be handled?
Remove ignition sources, ventilate the area, and absorb small spills with a non-combustible absorbent. For larger releases, follow the SDS and your site’s emergency response plan and use appropriate PPE.
How do you dispose of acetone?
Waste acetone is a regulated hazardous waste in most cases and must not be poured down the drain. Collect it in a labeled, compatible waste container, keep it away from oxidizers and ignition sources, and route it through a licensed hazardous-waste hauler in line with EPA/RCRA and local rules. Check the SDS Section 13 (disposal) for your material.
Sources & links: Acetone product page · Solvents category · External authority: NIOSH/OSHA Pocket Guide — Acetone