A variety of water-based gels have been used for cleaning works of art, but many of them have undesirable properties. Gel-like materials (hereafter referred to as gels) based on polyvinyl alcohol have been investigated in an effort to expand the range of options for conservators. Polyvinyl alcohol can be cross-linked with borax to form well-characterized hydrogels. Previous studies have shown that no more than 30% of the gelated liquid can be composed of an organic solvent. The present study reports that polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) with reduced hydrolysis fractions can form borax cross-linked gels with a large mole fraction of methanol, ethanol, 1-and 2-propanol, acetone, or N-methyl pyrrolidinone (NMP) as a cosolvent with water. The gels can be made nonsticky, transparent, pliant, and stable over periods of at least weeks in closed vessels at room temperature. As such, they show great potential for the removal of dirt and other coatings from sensitive and delicate surfaces.