Juliana LaBiancaUpdated: Mar. 20, 2023
How to make the most of your nail polish, from wedding day dress emergencies to handy ways to fix a chipped tile.
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The beauty of nail polish
Nail polish can be used for a lot more than just adding a little color to your nails. If you have a few extra bottles lying around the house, check out these clever ways you can use them up. If you constantly have polish on your nails, this is what the color reveals about your personality.
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Smooth out slightly splintered wood
Seal a wooden surface with a coat of clear nail polish (for stained wood surfaces, first find a color that matches the wood). The new finish will stop supplies such as wooden hangers from snagging clothes and keep fingers splinter-free. Here’s how to remove a splinter using adhesive tape.
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Waterproof your garden labels
Make plant labels waterproof by coating them in clear nail polish. You’ll never have to Google how often to water your herb garden again. This trick also works for waterproofing address labels on packages. By the way, here’s how to remove gel nail polish at home (without wrecking your nails).
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Prevent rust stains
Coat the bottom of metal cans (think shaving cream and hair spray) with clear nail polish to prevent rust from developing and staining your sink or medicine cabinet. Here’s how to get nail polish out of the carpet.
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Stop a run in tights in its tracks
Keep a small hole from spreading by dabbing the run with clear nail polish.
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Prevent frayed fabric from getting worse
Tame frayed fabric, such as the wisps on the cuffs of a nylon-lined jacket or the tiny broken threads on the bottom of a well-worn wool pencil skirt, with clear polish. Try out these clever uses for plastic bags you have lying around the house.
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Fix peeling pearl buttons
Coat (fake) pearls with clear nail polish to stop them from peeling. Here’s how to clean your own jewelry at home.
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Stop a cracked windshield from getting worse
Stop a small windshield crack in its tracks with clear polish. Working in the shade, paint the crack on both sides of the glass. Move the car into the sun to allow it to dry. You’ll eventually need to repair the windshield, but in the meantime, use polish to buy time and shop around for the best estimate.
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Treat an unraveling shoelace
Dip an unraveling shoelace in clear nail polish. Twist it back into shape and allow it to dry. Try these uses for salt—that don’t involve cooking.
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Protect tarnish-prone costume jewelry
Prevent costume jewelry from tarnishing by brushing over it with clear nail polish. This hack will also stop skin discoloration and irritation from cheap jewelry. Here are some extraordinary uses for household staples you already own.
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Seal an envelope
Seal an envelope with a brush of nail polish. For a fun letter, such as a party invitation or thank you note, use a bright color. Don’t forget to stock up on the best nail polish to get a gorgeous manicure that lasts.
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Hide scuff marks on a shoe or bag
Fill in a scuff with a dab of nail polish that matches the piece. No one will be any the wiser. (Note: If you plan to resell a vintage or designer item, the paint could lower its value.) Check out these clever uses for toothpicks that have nothing to do with picking your teeth.
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Hide a chipped tile
Color in a small chip on a kitchen or bathroom tile with a matching nail polish color. The small brush and variety of colors available will ensure accuracy. Here are some tips on how to make nail polish last longer.
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Tighten a loose screw
Secure a screw by first painting it with nail polish, which will give it extra stickiness. Paint over the top of the screw to prevent it from developing rust.
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Prevent chipped car paint from rusting
A small indent or piece of chipped paint could develop rust once the spot is exposed to the elements. Seal yours off with a coat of clear nail polish. Make sure to also try out these clever uses for baby wipes.
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Organize a jumbled set of keys
Organize your mess of keys by painting the tops of the most important ones with different colored nail polish. You’ll always know that blue means home and red means gym locker.
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Reattach a loose rhinestone
The ultimate wedding must-have? A bottle of clear nail polish. In addition to fixing any manicure fiascos, the polish can also be used to reattach a loose rhinestone or crystal.
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Fix a window screen
Mend a torn window screen with a dab of clear nail polish.
Originally Published: October 14, 2020
