Common uses for organic solvents are in dry cleaning ( e.g. tetrachloroethylene ) , as paint thinners ( e.g. toluene , turpentine ) , as nail polish removers and glue solvents ( acetone , methyl acetate , ethyl acetate ) , in spot removers ( e.g. hexane , petrol ether ) , in detergents ( citrus terpenes ) , in perfumes ( ethanol ) , and in chemical syntheses . Common uses for organic solvents are in dry cleaning ( e.g. tetrachloroethylene ) , as a paint thinner ( e.g. toluene , turpentine ) , as nail polish removers and glue solvents ( acetone , methyl acetate , ethyl acetate ) , in spot removers ( e.g. hexane , petrol ether ) , in detergents ( citrus terpenes ) , in perfumes ( ethanol ) , and in chemical synthesis .